In November 1914, an advertisement was placed in the national press inviting monetary contributions to a 'Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund' which had been created by Princess Mary, the seventeen year old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. The purpose was to provide everyone wearing the King's uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1914 with a 'gift from the nation'. The response was truly overwhelming, and it was decided to spend the money on an embossed brass box, based on a design by Messrs Adshead and Ramsey. The contents varied considerably; officers and men on active service afloat or at the front received a box containing a combination of pipe, lighter, 1 oz of tobacco and twenty cigarettes in distinctive yellow monogrammed wrappers. Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a packet of sweets instead. Indian troops often got sweets and spices, and nurses were treated to chocolate. Many of these items were despatched separately from the tins themselves, as once the standard issue of tobacco and cigarettes was placed in the tin there was little room for much else apart from the greeting card All boxes, irrespective of recipient, contained a Christmas card and a picture of the Princess. Those which were not distributed until after Christmas were sent out with a card wishing the recipient a 'victorious new year'. The wounded on leave or in hospital, nurses, and the widows or parents of those killed were also entitled to the gift. Prisoners of war at the time had theirs reserved until they were repatriated. Great efforts were made to distribute the gifts in time for Christmas, and huge demands were made on an already stretched postal service. More than 355,000 were successfully delivered by the deadline. As time pressed on, a shortage of brass meant that many entitled personnel did not receive their gift until as late as the summer of 1916, and in January 1919 it was reported that 'considerable' numbers had still not been distributed. Orders for brass strip were placed with the USA, who were not yet involved in the war, and a large consignment was lost with the ship 'Lusitania'. As so much brass was being consumed in the production of weapons and munitions, the quality of the boxes which were manufactured late on was poor, being of a plated inferior alloy, when compared with the earlier pure brass examples. When the fund finally closed in 1920, almost £200,000 had been donated for the provision of more than two and a half million boxes with contents. The 'tin' is approximately 5" long by 3¼" wide by 1¼" deep with a double-skinned, hinged, lid. The surface of the lid depicts the head of Princess Mary in the centre, surrounded by a laurel wreath and flanked on either side by the 'M' monogram. At the top, a decorative cartouche contains the words 'Imperium Britannicum' with a sword and scabbard either side. On the lower edge, another cartouche contains the words 'Christmas 1914', which is flanked by the bows of battleships forging through a heavy sea. In the corners, small roundels house the names of the Allies: Belgium, Japan, Montenegro and Servia; France and Russia are at the edges, each superimposed on three furled flags or standards.

Established on 26th July 1919. The silver or bronze medal was awarded to officers and men of the British and Imperial Forces who either entered a theatre of war or entered service overseas between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918 inclusive. This was later extended to services in Russia, Siberia and some other areas in 1919 and 1920. Approximately 6.5 million British War Medals were issued. Approximately 6.4 million of these were the silver versions of this medal. Around 110,000 of a bronze version were issued mainly to Chinese, Maltese and Indian Labour Corps. The front (obv or obverse) of the medal depicts the head of George V. The recipient's service number, rank, name and unit was impressed on the rim.The medal is silver and circular. A truncated bust of King George V is on the obverse, while there is a depiction of Saint George on the reverse. There is a straight clasp carrying a watered silk ribbon. This has a central band of golden yellow with three stripes of white, black and blue on both sides. The blue stripes come at the edges. 6,610,000 British War Medals were issued. The soldier's regiment and number are inscribed around the rim. Recipient: 908 DVR J E Whyte 3 LH FD AMBwar medal 1914-18

The Silver War Badge was instituted in 1916 and awarded to men who were honourably discharged under certain regulations which are shown below. It was also awarded in retrospect: that is, to men discharged in 1914 or 1915 who otherwise met the criteria. During the Great War, patriotic British ladies would give white feathers to men not in uniform. Discharged soldiers were unimpressed. The badge served as a white feather deflector. The Silver War Badge, sometimes wrongly referred to as the Silver Wound Badge, was instituted from 12 September 1916 under Army Order 316. The badge was awarded to all of those military personnel who had served at home or overseas during the war, and who had been discharged from the army under King’s Regulations. Expiry of a normal term of engagement did not count and the most commonly seen reason for discharge and issue of the badge is KR is 392(xvi), meaning the soldier had been released on account of being permanently physically unfit. It was possible to be awarded a badge if the man had not served overseas – and if his service record is now lost this may be the only remaining evidence of service for such a soldier.It is a circular badge with the legend “For King and Empire – Services Rendered” surrounding the King George V cypher. The badge had a pin for wear as a brooch. A19225

A soft covered booklet covering handling, firing and maintenance of the weaponWO Code 87743.5 inch rocket launcher

A soft covered booklet teaching the method of recognition, preparation and use of all types of grenades (then in service).WO Code 8592grenades, training

A soft covered booklet for training soldiers in the use of the weaponWO Code No 8773energa anti-tank grenade

A soft covered booklet to provide information for crew commanders or gunnery instructors to train crews Centurion tank gunnery. Includes amdt 1 & 2 (Australia) centurion tank gunnery

Paperback book of 336 pages Pencilled signature "M Body"histor, great war

Type of equipment used by the RegimentA headset for the Larkspur radio set series, consisting of two rubber enclosed ear pieces joined by spring wire frame and adjustable rubber strap10H/9466652 and govt arrowheadset, larkspur

Equipment used by the RegimentA radio amplifier mounted on a battery box CY-4612/GRC. The battery box is designed to hold the battery for both the amplifier and the AN/PRC 77 radio. The amplifier is designed to to boost the power output of the 77 set and increase its range by up to a further 6 km.Serial Number 242radio, prc77, amplifier

Soft covered book detailing the description, operation and user maintenance of the Wireless Control Harness Type 'B'WO Code 11195training manual, radio control harness

Handbook for equipment previously used by the RegimentSoft covered book detailing introduction, installation, operating procedures and operator's maintenance for the Radio Set Control Group AN/GRA-39.TM 11-5820-477-12book, radio training

Handbook for equipment previously used by the Regiment Soft covered book detailing a general description, operators' instructions and maintenance for the Training Set Universal Wireless No 1.WO Code No 6035handbooks radio

Soft covered book, the purpose of which is to present, in concise form, the information needed in planning and establishing communication with signal equipment being used in US Armor units. US ARMY ARMOR SCHOOL Fort Knox Kentucky November 1965signals, handbook, usa

Soft covered book detailing a general description, operation of, and maintenance etc of the AN/PRC-64. Printed for the Australian Army.Delco Radio General Motors Corporationradio prc64, instructions

Handbook for equipment once used by the RegimentSoft covered book detailing a general description, operation and user servicing of the wireless station C42.WO Code No 11197. December 1955handbook, radio, wireless, c42

Handbook for equipment previously used by the Regiment.Soft covered book detailing a general description, operation and user servicing of the Wireless Set B47.WO Code No 11791. March 1957handbook, radio, wireless b47

Handbook for equipment used by the RegimentSoft covered book detailing installation, operating instructions and operator's maintenance of Radio Sets AN/VRC53 & AN/GRC1258 Amplifier Power Supply Group OA-3633/GRCTM 11-5820-498-10handbook, radio, vrc

Used by the RegimentSoft covered book detailing the system of calling, the procedures used for various operating conditions, and other requirements as used in radio telephony. WO Code No 8761radio training, voice procedure

Used as part of Antenna AS-1729/VRC used with US made VHF radio configurationsEquipment used by the RegimentA plastic body with aluminium top section to which is attached a spring top section incorporating a thread for mounting the antenna. The spring mount provides flexibility for the antenna if the vehicle strikes an overhead object. the No 13043 Rantenna mount, mx-6707/vrc

Used as part of the radio harness of all M113 vehicles and truck and ground stations Equipment used by The RegimentRadio mounting tray as used in all M113 family of vehicles. Consists of a base tray and a top tray on anti-vibration mounts. The top tray has a junction box for connecting radio and harness cablings, and two clamping devices to hold the radio MT-1029/VRC No 6731Bradio mounting tray

Used in the Regiment's M113 family of vehiclesEquipment used by the RegimentVHF radio which was used in the M113 family of vehicles. It could also be set up as truck and ground station. Frequency range of 30 to 75.95 MHz, manually tuned, voice only. It requires a 24 Volt DC power supply and has operating range of about 40 Km on high power.RT524/VRC No 1645radio, rt524

Used by the Regiment in M113 family of vehiclesVHF radio which was used in the M113 family of vehicles and could also be set up as a truck and ground station. Frequency range 30 to 75.95 MHz. Manually tuned, voice only radio. Requires 24 Volt DC power supply. Operating range about 40 Km on high powerRT 524/VRC No 1432Aradio, rt-524

Hand book for vehicle used by the RegimentSoft covered user handbook reprint (second edition) incorporating amdts 1 & 2 for the Truck 1/4 Ton CT 4x4 Austin (Champ)ADMIRALTY MTP 5200/2B WO Code 17826 Supersedes Admiralty MTP 5200/2 and WO Code 17759handbook, austin champ