WW1 BRITISH PRINCESS MARY BRASS CHRISTMAS GIFT TIN
HISTORY
The idea was the initiative of Princess Mary, the 17-year-old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary.
Moved by her visits to hospitals for injured soldiers, the young princess wanted to show her support. Her two brothers – David, later King Edward VIII, and Bertie, later King George VI – also began active service and she felt the dangers of war as keenly as many other women did.
It was Princess Mary’s wish that those serving on Christmas Day 1914 would receive a Christmas gift to boost morale and foster a sense of unity.
Her Royal Highness (H.R.H.) Princess Mary wearing a Red Cross uniform at Buckingham Palace, London. c 1918
She intended to pay for the gifts out of her own personal allowance, but when this was deemed impractical, it was proposed that she lend her name to a public fund to raise the necessary money. She appealed for help in a letter released by Buckingham Palace on 15 October 1914.
“I want you now to help me to send a Christmas present from the whole of the nation to every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front,” she wrote.
“I am sure that we should all be happier to feel that we had helped to send our little token of love and sympathy on Christmas morning, something that would be useful and of permanent value, and the making of which may be the means of providing employment in trades adversely affected by the war.
“Could there be anything more likely to hearten them in their struggle than a present received straight from home on Christmas Day? Please will you help me?”
The personal appeal by the princess proved a great success. In five days, the fund raised more than £12,000 in donations. By the following week, the amount had risen to £31,000. By the time the fund closed in 1920, it had raised £162,591 12s 5d, or the equivalent of about £18 million in today’s money.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This tin is in its original untouched state and was purchased locally here in WA. Being Brass it would stand out if it was polished but I will leave that to the new owner.