WRITING IN WAR TIME
For those soldiers who didn’t smoke tobacco, an appropriate
alternative was arranged. They received a handsome khaki writing
case filled with stationery, as well as the same brass tin – but
containing acid drop sweets instead of tobacco.
© Taff Gillingham/Great War Huts CollectionThrough History
PRINCESS MARY: VOLUNTEER NURSE
The third child and only daughter of King George and Queen Mary, during
the war she not only established the Princess Mary’s Gift Fund but also
worked as a VAD (Volunteer Aid Detachment) nurse. She impressed those
around her by her desire to be treated as an equal to the other nurses.
© Q053478, Library of CongressTOMMY TINS
In 2014, to mark
the centenary of the
Great War, Fortnum
& Mason created
these ‘Tommy Tins’
which were sent to
servicemen on active
duty. They contained
two bars of Fortnum
& Mason chocolate
and a pack of playing
cards. The design
mimicked that of
Princess Mary’s gift.
© Peter DoyleOTHER CHRISTMAS GIFTS
In the subsequent years of the war, although Princess Mary’s gift would not be
repeated, other similar gifts were produced. This one made by Rowntree’s could
be obtained by collecting tokens and contained a “large cake of Elect chocolate”.
© Peter Doyle