As we move into the Festive season 2025, let's reflect on
our ancestors who were serving at war during the Boer War and 110 years ago
during the 1914-18 First World War.
Here are three snippets.
Frederick Clayton Bateman Strelley 1883-1955. Fred served in both the
Boer War and the First World War. Among his war memorabilia were relics of
Christmases served in both wars.
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| Fred's wartime memorabilia |
Fred had a brass tin with Princess Mary's head on it, in which he used to keep all of his medals.
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| 1914 Brass Box |
These tins were a personal gift from the future Queen to each soldier who was
serving in the British Army in Christmas 1914. Fred's wife Georgina used to
polish this tin religiously and take his medals out to show the grandkids on
visits to see her.
What was the Princess Mary Gift Fund 1914 box? The Princess Mary Gift Fund box
is an embossed brass box that originally contained a variety of items such as
tobacco and sweets. It was intended as a Christmas present to those serving at
Christmas in 1914 and was paid for by the British public backed by Princess
Mary.
As seen by the comment above, the Princess Mary gift fund box was a treasured
possession of many veteran soldiers of the First World War, even when the
original contents, usually cigarettes and rolling tobacco, had been used. The
embossed brass box was airtight and made it a useful container for money,
tobacco papers, and photographs, so it was often carried and treasured by the
men through their wartime movements for the rest of their service.
In addition, many men carefully repacked their presents and sent them home to
their wives and family. Generally, the embossed brass box contained one ounce
of pipe tobacco, 20 cigarettes, a pipe, a tinder lighter, Christmas card, and
photograph. An alternative gift was made available for non-smokers.
Non-smokers received the brass box, a packet of acid tablets, khaki writing
case containing pencil, paper, and envelopes, together with the Christmas card
and photograph of the Princess. Minority groups and dietary rules of various
religious groups were also considered, and Indian Sikhs and Gurkhas received a
differently packed box.
James Edward Cassidy1892-1981. James enlisted in August 1914 and would
have received one of the boxes above. James' Christmas in 1915 was celebrated
by a photo back to his family, which has the caption "Wounded L.F.'s Still
Happy 1915." L.F.'s refers to the Lancashire Fusiliers.
James had been wounded during 1915 and was still in Gallipoli by Christmas. In 1916, they were to have taken enemy headquarters at El Arish on the coast city of Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula on Christmas Eve, but that didn't eventuate.
Peter McEwan Martin 1897-1917, someone was extremely organised in
Peter McEwan Martin’s company for Christmas 1916. Elaborate cards were printed,
assembled, signed, and dispatched to the relatives for Christmas 1916. This
card belonged to Sheila Martin and family and is now on display at his old
school.
Late on Christmas Eve 1914, the men of the British
Expeditionary Force heard German troops in the trenches opposite them singing
Christmas carols and patriotic songs, and saw lanterns and small fir trees
along the trenches. The following day which was Christmas Day, British and German soldiers met in no
man's land and exchanged gifts, took photographs, and some played impromptu
games of football. After Boxing Day, it was back to business……
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| The Christmas Truce |
These little touches of Christmas spirit transcend the
brutality of war and echo a hope for a brighter life.
These stories focus on remembrance, and as we reach Christmas, we hope for
enduring peace in our time, while reminding us of the light and humanity of these wars of
past times.
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