Combat Dealers

Bruce Crompton heads a First World War treasure hunt, searching for lost artefacts from the conflict. During the quest he uncovers a mysterious soldier’s medal from the Battle of the Somme and also finds the world’s most expensive football, remarkably.

World War One Mystery is a television programme presented as an episode‑long investigation into forgotten relics from the Great War. Classified under the genre of documentary‑style episodes, the series aims to uncover hidden stories linked to the First World War, offering viewers a glimpse into the material culture that survived the conflict. The focal point of this particular episode is Bruce Crompton, who embarks on a treasure‑hunt across former battlefields and private collections. During his search he uncovers two striking artefacts: a soldier’s medal whose origins are shrouded in mystery and which dates back to the infamous Battle of the Somme, and an unusually valuable football that holds the distinction of being the most expensive of its kind ever recorded. The episode builds around these discoveries, using them as anchors to illustrate the lingering legacy of the war. By juxtaposing a personal token of bravery with a highly prized sporting object, the programme highlights the varied ways in which World War One continues to surface in unexpected places. Throughout, Crompton’s investigative journey provides the narrative thread that ties the historical significance of the medal and the contemporary intrigue surrounding the costly football together.