Warrington Museum's WW2 gas mask sold by charity shop by mistake - BBC News

Jun 29, 2025

Image source, Julian Garratt

A World War Two replica gas mask on loan from a museum for a window display was accidentally sold by a charity shop.

The artefact was put in the window at St Roccos Hospice shop in Stockton Heath, Warrington, as part of a children's treasure hunt for a festival in the village next week.

Julian Garratt, one of the Stockton Heath Festival organisers, said "our hearts sank" when it was discovered that the item loaned by Warrington Museum was missing from the shop window less than three hours after the display was set up.

However, he said "through the power of social media" they managed to track down the woman who bought it for £5 and she returned it "so we had a happy ending".

Steph Clemens from Warrington Museum and Art Gallery, said it was grateful to the festival organisers for their swift action in "solving the curious case of the missing gas mask" and ensuring its safe return.

"It's now something we can look back on with a smile after a series of misunderstandings with no harm done," she said.

Image source, Stockton Heath Festival

Ms Clemens added: "We often lend pieces from our handling collections. They are typically used for education projects and lent out to schools.

"In this case, the gas mask was a replica of one that would have been used by civilians during the Second World War."

The Stockton Heath Festival, which has been staged since 2008 and takes place between 3-6 July, includes 50 events from art exhibitions to live music and open-air theatre.

The children's treasure hunt features 15 items in 15 shops in the village with World War Two being this year's theme.

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