Item Description
Original Item. Only One Available. This is a really great example of a Princess Mary gift box with some of the contents still intact. Following the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force was sent to the Western Front and was soon joined by troops from the Empire, those from India arriving before the end of the year.
On 14 October 1914, George V's 17-year-old daughter, Mary, Princess Royal, launched an appeal to fund a Christmas gift for every member of the armed forces. Shortly before Christmas 1914, advertisements were placed in the British press seeking donations for the "Soldiers and Sailors Christmas fund" and £152,691 was soon raised. When fund was wound up in 1920 the remaining funds were transferred to Queen Mary's Maternity Home.
The box measures 5 x 3 x 1”. This example retains the Princess Mary greeting card and the letter, which is named at the bottom:
#6416
Pte. S.H. Raymond
This identifies the box to Private Stanley Hudson Raymond. Raymond was wounded by a gunshot wound to the neck and arm on March 11th, 1915. He would recover and return to duty in August 1915. On August 15th 1918, he was wounded again by a gunshot wound to the right elbow, which led to his discharge the following month.
A great identified set, ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
