Extinguisher that survived wartime bomb on show at Eden Camp

Eden Camp, a modern military museum, is showcasing the Sanspray extinguisher as part of its growing collection of objects highlighting civilian courage and life during conflict.

Made of paper and card and filled with sand, the extinguisher is a rare example of a tool used by ordinary people to defend against incendiary bombs during the war.

Summer O’Brien, collection and engagement manager at Eden Camp, said: "Objects like this remind us that heroism during World War Two wasn’t confined to the front line.

"Ordinary people showed extraordinary courage in the most terrifying moments, and this piece helps us tell those stories with the respect they deserve.

"This extinguisher has been in the donor’s family for decades, tucked away with other memories from the past.

"It is a 'time capsule piece' that will pay tribute to their family’s history."

Made of paper and card and filled with sand, the extinguisher was used by people to defend against incendiary bombs during the war (Image: Eden Camp Museum)

The extinguisher was found at Sampson’s Gent’s Hairdressers in Bridlington.

The shop was destroyed by a bomb during the war, yet the extinguisher survived.

It was later wrapped in newspapers and stored under the stairs alongside other family keepsakes, remaining hidden for more than 60 years until the house was cleared in 2004.

Caroline Usher, great-granddaughter of Harry Sampson, the barber shop’s founder, donated the extinguisher to Eden Camp after its rediscovery.

Visitors to Eden Camp can learn more about civilian defence during the war in Hut 4, which features displays about ARP (Air Raid Precautions) wardens.

Admission is £17 for adults and £15 for children when booked online.

On-the-day prices are £20 for adults and £18 for children.

Eden Camp is the last remaining former prisoner of war camp in Britain and offers an immersive look into life during wartime through interactive exhibits and historical artefacts.