What was the World War 1 trench lighter used for?

Matches were used by soldiers to find their way in the dark. But the intense initial flare of matches gave away their position too easily, and many lives were lost because of this. Hence, the need for combustion without a great initial flare was born. Inventors started improving the design of lighters and by 1918 when the war ended, they were able to be produced somewhat easier.

The real answer is the supply of matches during the war was restricted because timber was required for other purposes and the supply of chemicals difficult to maintain. Matches were also susceptible to dampness so lighters were poplar - In fact, lighters were common from the beginning of the war, ranging from tinder lighters to trench art lighters made from bullets or other discarded material. Wartime lighters were often manufactured behind the lines in ordnance and engineering workshops. J.Williams