Being a signaler usually meant you were close to the frontline troops, providing signals communications back to your Company and Battalion H.Q. Wired telephones were used where possible but this involved laying landlines which was a hazardous job due to enemy shelling. Signalers were also used in forward positions to assist the artillery and provide information on their enemy targets. In these positions, often isolated, the signaler became vulnerable to enemy shelling and attack, and many signalers lost their lives. The Trench Signaling lamp was in a wooden case and was battery operated. It had a bulls eye lens to concentrate the light and had a morse key to switch the lamp on and off. It was used mainly for local use from trench to trench and operators would receive the message through a periscope or telescope. It was always extremely dangerous to transmit towards the front of the battlefield as this would attract enemy rifle fire. No date or location available.