Historical information
Containers like these containing tobacco, sweets, cigarettes were sent to allied troops at Christmas in 1914.This box also holds a poem called Far Away by De Siva (1st Battalion), which was likely placed there for safekeeping by its original owner.
Significance
More than 400,000 of these gift boxes, embossed with the effigy of Princess Mary, were distributed to Commonwealth troops on Christmas Day, 1914. A gift from the Princess, they contained various items including sweets, tobacco and pencils. This box also holds a poem called Far Away by De Siva (1st Battalion), which was likely placed there for safekeeping by its original owner.
Physical description
Brass gift box / container with the effigy of Princess Mary, laurel leaves and elaborate border decoration. Box contains two ribbon bars, one rainbow medal ribbon (no medal), and one red, white and blue ribbon with safety pin. Also inside is a poem called 'Far Away' by De Siva (1st Battalion) printed on white paper.
Inscriptions & markings
On tin (clockwise from top left): "Belgium / Imperium Brittannicum / Japan / Russia / Montenegro / Christmas 1914 / Servia / France"
