A Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve (QAIMNSR) staff nurse and Territorial Force Nusing Service (TFNS) sisters auctioning a German steel helmet on a Hospital Barge, Peronne, 22nd June 1917

Official photograph, 1917

British nurses auction captured equipment to raise funds for the Red Cross. Similar auctions were sometimes held when a soldier was killed. His belongings would be auctioned to raise money for his next-of-kin. 

From an album of 76 official photographs, 1916-1917.