First World War - Princess Mary Soldiers Christmas Gift Box - 1914.

First World War - Princess Mary Soldiers Christmas Gift Box - 1914.

This box is still in a very good condition. Its bottom has dents in it.

"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". Copied from "http://www.kinnethmont.co.uk/1914-1918_files/xmas-box-1914.htm"