What was in the 1914 Christmas tin?

What was in the 1914 Christmas tin?

Smokers: embossed brass box, a pipe, an ounce of tobacco, a packet of cigarettes (20) in a distinctive yellow monogrammed wrapper and a tinder lighter. Non-Smokers: embossed brass box, a packet of acid tablets, a khaki writing case, paper and pencil.

What did ww1 soldiers eat on Christmas Day?

This sketch, entitled ‘Tommy’s Christmas dinner’, depicts a disgruntled soldier stuck in a trench with only bully (corned) beef and army biscuit for his Christmas meal. Other tinned goods consumed on Christmas Day included ‘Maconochie’s beef and vegetable stew’, a concoction that had more fat and gristle than meat.

What did the British troops receive from Princess Mary for Christmas?

Princess Mary’s Christmas Gift was a brass tin filled with various gifts, such as tobacco, confectionary, spices, pencils, a notebook, postcards and a picture of the princess. All British, colonial, and Indian soldiers and sailors who were serving on Christmas Day 1914 were eligible to receive a gift tin.

What was Christmas like during ww1?

The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols and songs. Some Germans lit Christmas trees around their trenches, and there was even a documented case of soldiers from opposing sides playing a good-natured game of soccer.

Who was Princess Mary in 1914?

Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood (Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary; 25 April 1897 – 28 March 1965), was the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary….Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood.

Mary
House Windsor (from 1917) Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (until 1917)
Father George V
Mother Mary of Teck

What might you find in a Princess Mary box?

The Princess Mary Gift Fund box is an embossed brass box that originally contained a variety of items such as tobacco and chocolate. It was intended as a Christmas present to those serving at Christmas in 1914 and was paid for by a public fund backed by Princess Mary.

What was in the Princess Mary Tin?

Each tin was decorated with an image of Mary and other military and imperial symbols and typically filled with an ounce of tobacco, a packet of cigarettes in a yellow monogrammed wrapper, a cigarette lighter, and a Christmas card and photograph from Princess Mary. Some contained sweets, chocolates, and lemon drops.

Who was king after George V?

Edward VIII
George V was succeeded by his son Edward VIII. Edward VIII was king for less than a year before abdicating in order to marry American divorcée Wallis Simpson.

Are there any Christmas tins from World War 1?

Original WW1 World War 1 Christmas 1914 British Army Tin… ANTIQUE W.W.I TIN 1914. XMAS. PRINCESS MARY. CHOCOLATE/ TOBACCO…. WWI Princess Mary 1914 Original Christmas Brass Gift Tin EMPTYii… Rare WWl Princess Mary Brass Tin Christmas 1914 With Original Paper Contents…

What was in Princess Mary’s Christmas 1914 tin?

A decorative border around the lid contains the words “Imperium Britannicum” at the top and “Christmas 1914” at the bottom. The corners and sides contain the names of Britain’s allies between decorations of flags, ships and weapons.

Why was there a shortage of Christmas gifts in 1914?

The large number of people who were to receive the gift made it impossible to manufacture, supply and distribute the gifts by Christmas Day 1914. So recipients were divided into three classes:

Where was the box of Christmas tins found?

Mystery surrounds the box for sale, which was bought by a collector of First World War memorabilia several years ago after he spotted it at auction. The collector, who was told the box had been found in Ireland, suspected the box had Christmas tins inside so had it X-rayed as he didn’t want to open it.