Dolls head, atomic blast, Hiroshima: Seaman F Smith, Merchant Navy

Ceramic dolls head with the inscription ‘Yamaka shop’ on the back. There is some surface damage but is otherwise intact.

This ceramic doll head was collected from the debris of a hospital site in Hiroshima, 1945, by Merchant Seaman Francis Smith.

The damage to the doll was caused by the nuclear bomb dropped on Hiroshima. Post war, Japanese ports became a frequent stop over for many vessels travelling through the Pacific as well as the point of repatriation for Prisoners of War who were interned in Japan. Hiroshima quickly became a popular tourist attraction during this time. With no knowledge of the dangers of radiation, foreign visitors would visit the site, often collecting or purchasing damaged items to take home as souvenirs.

Smith was a professional seaman before the Second World War and had joined the Merchant Navy as a Bosun. During the war, he served on several ships including the MV Macdhui and the hospital ship Manunda and he was said to be sunk five times.

• Japanese wooden field-telephone box: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Ceramic dish, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Sake cup, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Grey sake cup, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Ceramic bowl, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Japanese teacup, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Blue sake cup, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Beige sake cup, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Beige saucer, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Three fused bowls, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• Porcelain bowl base, atomic blast Hiroshima: Merchant Seaman Francis Smith
• POW Envelope: Sergeant Alfred Erle Eden Mawson, Winnipeg Grenadiers and Merchant Seaman Francis Smith