This file contains five items pertaining to Lieutenant William Thomas Dartnell, also known as Wilbur Taylor Dartnell: 1/A page of handwritten research notes by Anne Kilpatrick, dated 17/06/2014, describing the resources available online pertaining to Dartnell. They note, among other things, that his name has sometimes mistakenly recorded as ‘Dardnall’ or ‘Dartuell’, and that although it is unclear whether he ever lived in Murrumbeena, his widow did. 2/A printout of a paragraph article from the Oakleigh and Caulfield Times Mulgrave and Ferntree Gully Guardian, dated 22/01/1916, accessed via Trove on 28/01/13, noting that Dartnell has posthumously been awarded the Victoria Cross. The circumstances of his death in Africa during WWI are described. 3/A printout of a page from the website of the Australian Dictionary of Biography on 17/06/2014, describing Dartnell’s life. His early life is described briefly, whereafter his service history and death in Africa during WWI are described in more detail. 4/A printout of 2 pages from the website of the Australian War Memorial on 17/06/2014, offering similar information about Dartnell as for the entry from the Australian Dictionary of Biography. Contains a black-and-white photograph of Dartnell in uniform. 5/A printout of 2 pages from WWICemeteries.com, accessed 17/06/2014, pertaining to Voi Cemetery in Kenya, where Dartnell is buried. It begins by describing the cemetery itself, before offering some brief information about Dartnell. Contains two black-and-white photographs; one of the cemetery, and one of Dartnell in uniform.dartnell william thomas, dartnall william thomas, dartuell william thomas, dartnell wilbur taylor, dartnall wilbur taylor, dartuell wilbur taylor, dartnell family, dartnall family, dartuell family, world war 1914-1918, soldiers, awards, victoria cross, tranmere avenue, murrumbeena, widows, dartnell henry, dartnell rose ann, dartnell elizabeth edith, smyth elizabeth edith, south africa medal, phillips avenue, ‘maktau’, house names

In 1899, British soldiers and sailors were in South Africa fighting the second Boer War which lasted from 1899 to 1902. Queen Victoria was concerned about the morale of her army and navy and wanted to do something to lift their spirits. She would send chocolate to all of her army and navy serving in South Africa (including Australian contingents) as a Christmas/New Year gift in 1899/1900. The chocolate manufacturer, Cadbury, which since around 1854 had a Royal Warrant to supply Queen Victoria with cocoa and chocolate, was contacted and requested to produce the royal bars of chocolate, each with its own individual tin. This put Richard and George Cadbury in a dilemma because, as Quakers, they were pacifists and did not agree with the war. However they did not want to refuse a request from the Queen. To prevent their confectionery rivals from accusing them of going against their principles, their solution was to invite fellow Quakers, Joseph Fry and Joseph Rowntree to form a temporary three-way partnership to complete the order. Forty thousand tins, designed and made by Fry, were produced in two different sizes. The larger of the tins (15 x 9 cm) has a gold coloured rim around the edge of the lid and contained two layers of chocolate. The slightly smaller or rather thinner tin (16 x 8 cm) has a blue rim around the edge of the lid and contained one layer of chocolate. The design of the lid of both sizes is the same. It was decided by all three companies, that the tins would carry no brand name. However Queen Victoria was not amused by this decision; she wanted her army and navy to know that she was sending them quality British chocolate. As a compromise, the Cadbury name appeared on interior packaging of the chocolate. The tins remained unbranded. The empty tins had a more sombre use for for men killed in action. The tins, containing their few personal belongings, were sent home to the next of kin. The tins were not large and may have contained items such as medals, talismans, coins, jewellery, photos, letters and dog tags.Sheet metal tin with hinged lid. In the middle of the red lid of the tin is a gold-coloured embossed picture of Queen Victoria's head. To the left is Queen Victoria's insignia, and to the right are the words "South Africa 1900" and is inscribed "I wish you a happy New Year" and signed Victoria running along the bottom.gift to defence personnel from queen victoria. gift sent at christmas / new year in 1899/1900, gift sent at christmas / new year 1899/1900