Look inside the Princess Mary’s Christmas Tin 1914 | WW1
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- čas přidán 20. 12. 2022
- Take a look inside the Princess Mary’s Christmas tin. The 1914 Christmas gift was given to every allied serviceman and woman during WW1, it was the brainchild of the young Princess Mary, who’s express wish was that "every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front" should have the present. Kevin reveals a range of fascinating gifts within the tin including a pipe, cigarettes and a Christmas card.
Filmed at the Saskatoon Museum of Military Artifacts. smoma.ca
#WW1 #WorldWarOne #FirstWorldWar #PrincessMary #PrincessMaryChristmasGift #1914 #history #historychannel #ChristmasTin
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✨🎄✨What a sweet gesture. My husband and I were young soldiers when we married. Christmas became the day we could keep it, not a date on the calendar. But we always had the barracks kids over. We celebrated Christmas in Europe twice, and in every corner of the US. One year we decorated our little tree with cookies, because our decorations were still in the warehouse from moving. That was the same year I learned you should boil chestnuts and cut the tops before you roast them in the oven. Otherwise they’d explode with loud booms that echoed throughout the temporary quarters we were staying in. I thought we were under attack! My husband still teases me about it. So Merry Christmas to you. Peace on earth, and good will toward men.
Haha, what a lovely story Margaret. I remember chestnut sellers on the street back in Birmingham, never roasted them ourselves. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Thank you Margaret , so you're saying I shouldn't explode some chestnuts next Christmas huh...! They'll never know what's coming. Here's to a fantastic 2023 for you.Cheers
What a dear person she must have been. As well as all the people that helped make it happen. Certainly would bring some cheer into a lonely soldier’s Christmas.
Kevin, it was intended for 1914 but took six years to actually finish delivery due to the sheer number of uniformed personnel and heirs serving the empire and POWs in 1914…she bit off more than she could chew, but her heart was in the right place
I those cases trying your best it what counts not necessary the success
@@thodan467 and they did help a lot, i imagine there was a lot of trading going on with the variations as time went on…a tradition that lives to this day
@@bostonrailfan2427
a tradition older than recorded history i bet
@@thodan467 true!
Even the monkey blokes in the wild trade! Neanderthals traded. Smoking on the other hand is relatively new and was considered blasphemous or demonic like due to blowing smoke reminding the old Church of a demon.
I'm a military antiques dealer and I've had a few empty empty tins come my way. I always thought they were quite novel.
What a girl. I wonder how many of these tins rusted away in the battlefields of Europe where the soldiers life was spirited away. A wonderful thoughtful gift. Merry Christmas from Down under. Take the Tour !
You're welcome. Merry Christmas to you too.
I found a WW1 Christmas tin while metal detecting a few years ago, it’s one of my favourite finds and I often wonder what it’s seen and where it had been…
Spoken like a true history lover!
I have one, princess Mary box, my great grandma kept her spectical repair kit in it : )
My brother has a Tin with a pencil in, but no writing kit. We'd always assumed it was either my Grandads or one of his sons, but now you've got me thinking!
That's a very thoughtful gift to give to the troops. It's definitely something would boost moral over the holidays and if taken care of, can be passed down to their families. Kevin, I hope you and your family have a merry Christmas.
Thank you, and to you too.
I bought one from a charity shop a few years ago for about £5. I thought it was amazing and often think of where it went and who originally owned it.
I have a lithograph gettysburg address from an estate auction. Belonged to a civil war soldier. Had the great opportunity to read some of his letters home. Like a window into the past.
@@dirtfarmer7070 love stuff like that.
I have one I wouldn’t sell it for any money it’d belonged to my grandfather I have great memories of him giving me money that he used to k don’t in it one of my grandsons has shown great interest in it that’s why I am here. He was looking it up. I told him he can have it when I’m gone passes on down the line.
What a wonderful gesture by Princess Mary! I love the variety of contents! How absolutely an awesome story!
Kevin well done on all the recent videos. I for one would really love a virtual tour of the Saskatoon Military Museum. If it is not too personal how did end up in the middle of the Canadian prairies.
Well I came over to join my eldest son and to retire, but I now find myself happily employed making these CZcams videos with my wife 😄
Thank you Kevin, I knew about these tins, but never saw one! What a lovely thing Princess Mary did for our soldiers and sailors. A fab review, much appreciated. I've got quite a few old tobacco tins, but would love one of those.
Thats a very nice looking little box to have. I love those art deco ornaments. Its also nice to receive at least some small gift of appreciation by the ruling class that sent you to your possible death. Many people nowdays dont even get that.
About Christmas in service, you are right even a small gesture can brighten your day, most people can feel really lonely even if they are surrounded by literally a whole army. I remember that I presented myself for military service on the 27th of November 2000. By the time of my first christmas in the army I was still a fresh soldier (or a fish/ rat/ skunk/ Newton as we were ''affectionatelly'' called by the old soldiers lol). On the day of Christmas I was on guard duty at the fuel ''depo''. I put quotes because there were no actual fuel there, just piles of empty barels. Right next to the fence there was an orange orchard and in the middle a two floors traditional rural stone house. All lighten up and you could here the music, the occasional laughter and glasses clinking after toasts by the people that had a christmass dinner there. I remember feeling completely miserable, homesick and stupid at the role of the guard of some empty barels lol. To be fair I had much worst services after, but that stood out because it was my first christmas away from home. My only comfort were the oranges. I was getting them right from the trees over the fence, pealing them with my swiss knife. Those cold little round sweet oranges were the best I ever had in my life till now.
I have a quite different experinece my xmas in the military was the only for over 20 years i was full at home
and this is the first for 4 years i get to spend with my family at all
How lovely, thanks for sharing your story. Merry Christmas.
Those would be "Art Nouveau"...Deco's predecessor...Art Deco didnt begin until 1920 or so.
Seems like every year the Christmas spirit is less prevalent in all of us as a society. It might just be me growing old and cynical but I know you feel it. Great video Kevin Merry Christmas me hardy!!
I bet that made the soldiers and nurses feel good to get a gift like that from the Monarchy thoughtful on their part
Very good presentation Kevin. I'd love to see an organization start doing this again. God bless, Rob
Hi again Kevin! Great video. I was also unaware that widows or parents of those KIA also received Princess Mary Gift Tins. I have collected a number of Mary tins over the years, many of course, were empty, but I have retained the best one of the bunch for my core collection. This retains its original finish (not polished to death over the years, as are so many!) and contains the unopened original ounce of tobacco and pack of 20 cigarettes, plus the picture of H.R.H. Princess Mary and the 1914 Christmas card. These last mentioned are contained in a very nice, original envelope, which came with the tin (I don't think you showed us the envelope). One of the tins I had from a relative of the soldier who owned it contained just the cigarette pack with one remaining 'gasper', which I assume he kept as a souvenir. I'm sure you knew that that the paper of every cigarette was printed with the Princess Mary 'M' monogram. This tin also contained a 20 Mark note dated 1914 and a spent German bullet. What tales that tin could tell... I have heard of two tins held in the uniform breast pocket saving the recipients' lives, the bullets being deflected away from the heart. A marvellous gift indeed!
Wow, thanks for that comment there Pete, absolutely wonderful. Merry Christmas.
@@thehistorysquad A Very Merry Christmas to you and your family, Kevin - may 2023 bring all you wish for!
Much like the stories from WW 2 of Zippo lighters stopping a enemy round...
@@davidtucker7219 Yes, sometimes being a smoker was actually healthy!
@@petehall889 Rather so. I have been known to smoke a pipe or cigar when out camping as the smoke does help keep the little flying nasties away.
The idea of remembering the military, POWs and what we call GOLD STAR FAMILIES TODAY by a young member of the Royal Family is so touching.
What a lovely gift from the princess and her family that was!
I inherited one of these tins from my grandfather who served on the western front,lovely little memento it is.
I'm so blessed to have an original in very good shape!
I just finished all quiet on the western front and I'm loving these ww1 vids
Those are amazing! What a wonderful idea - thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome!
I could just imagine big tough soldiers and sailors, getting those through and actually getting a tear in their eye knowing that the folks back home hadn't forgot them ,,,,what a lovely lady the Princess must have been 🇬🇧🏴🏴🏴🇨🇦👍
Hello and thank you for the Christmas upload 👍
I'll definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for those beautiful piece in the antique fairs and shops going forward.
That's amazing that you have a complete kit 👍👍
Thank you for all of the videos you have posted this past year. I have been both educated and entertained by your work.
I hope you and your family enjoyed a merry Christmas. May you all have a happy and productive new year.
I hope so too! Thanks Tim 👍🏻
What a delightful idea for horrible times...Thanks for the upload!
I have one of the brass tins and I live in Toronto, Canada. I'm 64 and it belonged to my grandfather. He was already in the British cavalry when the war broke out. He didn't keep much all his life but he had this and his medals. So they meant a lot to me as he died when I was 7 years old and I loved him very much. I told my cousin to take his medals as my grandfather was from my mother's side. My cousin is from my uncle so he has the same last name as my grandfather. I preferred that the medals stay in the family name. He fought for Britain in WW1 all his medals had his name inscribed on them. He was in the Canadian army in WW2 and his medals from WW2 didn't have his name on them except one. I don't know if that was among other countries that they didn't inscribe the names on them in WW2. My grandmother was from Belfast, Northern Ireland and I had met a number of my relatives from there and I became very attached to them. My great uncle was a milk man and at 60 years of age he was jumped, blinded in one eye and came close to being killed by three very brave (yuck) freedom fighters. I suppose because a man nearing retirement who is delivering milk is an obvious threat to their 'cause'. Why did I tell you this last bit? I'd like to thank you for your part in Belfast doing your best to help keep people like my family safe. It may not have felt like it but I know for a fact that my family appreciated having the soldiers there during those miserable times. All the best and again, thank you.
How lovely, thanks for sharing some of your family history, we all have such rich stories and backgrounds 👍
Thanks for a heart-warming video, Kevin... Here's hoping that you have a Happy Christmas.
Cheers Ken, and you too.
I love your videos and can’t wait for a new one each time. Thank you for everything that you have done and everything that you do .
Thank you so much Joel, that's very kind!
Three cheers for princess Mary. This was just great.
Excellent video. Love learning more great history
Since finding your clips I can't wait for your posts as they are truly interesting and well presented keep it up Kevin. Wonderfully done with the help of your lovely wife ❤️
Thanks Ian, we appreciate that 👍🏻
Thanks for your work, Kevin! Merry Christmas!
Can’t help but thinking what these would’ve meant to the people they were issued to. A blip of humanity in hell
Happy Holidays Kevin! Best of wishes to you and yours friend.
Marvellous bit of history, thanks Kevin.
I have one my grandfather had it he used it to keep his loose change in it may he rest in peace 🙏❤️🌹
Thank you very much, I love the content of all your videos. I am learning so very much more than I thought I would!!!
You are so welcome! History doesn't have to be boring 👍🏻
Really enjoy the channel, thanks. Merry Christmas
That's great to hear, thank you & a Merry Christmas to you too.
Great video as always!
Thank you History Squad for another interesting Great War episode...
Greetings once again from nova Scotia, thanks Kevin, I never heard of these tins, they are absolutely precious. I hope you have a great Christmas, be safe and be well. Arthur
Merry Christmas to you too Arthur, thank you
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Thanks for always sharing with us!
You are so welcome! Merry Christmas 😊
Very interesting Kevin, thanks for the video. Happy Christmas to you and your family.
Wonderful video, I have never seen these kits thanks for bringing them out
Thank you keven for the little tin vidio.
What a lovely gift, it was really kind of her and everyone else that made it happen. Merry Christmas to you and your family Kevin.
Thanks Sam & to you too.
Another wonderful historysquad video and what the holiday about thank you for your CZcams channel happy Christmas
On your uniform I have notes on shoulder patches and black what do they represent
I would like to visit the place were you shot your video it looks like a wonderful place to visit if I ever get back to visit Canada it will be my first stop 🛑
When my dad joined the US Army in 1972 he was 17 years old and had spent several of his teenage years working with his grandpa on a farm for the richest family in the state the Hulman family my dad had met them quite a few times and when he left at Christmas every year for 7 years he received a care package from Mrs Hulman who he described as one of the nicest people he had ever met and he said it always included a ton of cookies a handwritten letter by Mrs Hulman and a Christmas card signed by her and her husband he said it was one of the coolest things getting a care package from people who own so much of his home state and had so much going on in their lives but they still took the time to send a care package to one of their workers who went to fight in the Vietnam War
Wow, how lovely, such a heart warming story. I hope the family still continues that beautiful tradition.
Lovely video Kevin. Smart. Have a safe, warm, & Merry Christmas. & "God bless us, every one." - C Dickens
Thanks, you too!
My version of A Christmas Carol will be out on Friday
A tour of the museum would be awesome 😊
With Mr. Hicks acting as the docent..I spent some time in the UK during my time in the military and visited the Imperial War museum in London ( among other places in London and other places in the UK).
It's a great way to walk off a proper full English breakfast...😀
What a thoughtful lovely tin! Merry Christmas Kevin Hicks. Thank you for your videos.
Our pleasure Kat!
My great grandfather, Adam kept his tin from WW1. Although he was from Edinburgh, he served with the Canadians. The tin was passed to me, but I have given it to another relative, also the war medals. Princess Mary, what a fantastic lady. I loved the part of the video, when you mention service personnel deployed, more so at Christmas time yes, but anytime. It means a great deal to receive any gift or goodie box 👍👍
one hundred and eight years. how the times have changed. little things mean a lot. today is the darkest day of the year. your video has brightened it up. thank you kevin
Tell me about it, and one of the coldest so far too haha. I hope you keep warm Gary and I wish you a Happy Christmas
A very enjoyable and interesting piece. Thank you
Oh man!!!! You're in Canada now?? What an honour to have you hear with us!!! I love it!! 😊😊😊
Yes I am & thank you!
I've been away from during the holidays and it really sucks. A little token would have really helped.
Happy Holidays to you and your people Kevin!From one yank to one Blimey!
Haha, cheers Fred & a Merry Christmas to you too.
Thank you for all your vids Kevin. Think I've watched nearly all but some very early ones. Brilliant.
Happy Christmas to you n yours from Yorkshire.
Same to you Fred, thanks for your support on the channel here 👍🏻
Excellent video Kevin! Keep well and have a good Christmas.
Thanks, you too!
A very nice video Kevin. I acquired one of the tins a couple of years ago. Alas it was without contents but it looks fine next to my 1916 SMLE. Thanks for the great work.
Very cool! 👍🏻
Thanks Kevin, one learns something every day. Have a Merry Xmas, and all the best for '23.
Cheers Les, you too!
Merry Christmas history squad hope you have a good one!
You too!
Cheers and Merry Christmas
Great video Kevin I never heard this story before! Happy Holidays from Italy. I know your feeling now. It will be my first Christmas overseas without family.
Hey, Merry Christmas buddy, my only advice is ........... get on with the job 😉 All the best
So cool, I still have my great grandfathers Christmas tin. He served with the Royal Scot s“The Dandy Ninth” in WW1. I also have his trench diary, and some other books. Love your videos!
Merry Christmas to you and Julie.
Thank you & to you too
Hi Kevin, excellent video, hope you and yours have a marvelous Christmas and thanks for the shout out, Dan.
No problem Dan, Happy Christmas!
You provide us with a telescope to the past. Most enjoyable!
I spent christmas in an isolated outpost once. Believe me when i say the mind drifts into melancholy. So yes a little tin with a symbolic gift is something.
I would have thought the kit was gonna be a tin of tea. But it’s still quite thoughtful.
great job Sir
That was a great thing for the Princess to have sponsored. May you and your families all have a Merry Christmas. Cheers from Texas.
You too David, Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year
Very nicely done sir.
Thank you kindly
A personal gift can boost morale immensely, says that you are not forgotten.
I for one would like a virtual tour of the Museum as i live in New Zealand also if possible/and or different could you do a pack and pocket show of a WW2 Soldier. Also could you show off boths eras loadouts if possible pls and thank you. Also keep up the great vids you make learning fun,Have a good Xmas
Cheers Dylan, I'll definitely be doing the tour in 2023 👍🏻
Thank you for your hard work and obvious devotion to putting these episodes together. Yet, I am not being notified even though everything is checked off. You may want to have a talk with CZcams. They are having a tendency of not notifying folks.
I literally binged watched 10 episodes last night.
Haha, thanks Sharon, I know I saw you binging with all your comments and really appreciate you watching 😃
Regarding the notifications, I've tried getting in touch with YT to no avail, they always try to push the blame on viewers I'm afraid.
The notifications BELL appears in the top right of the screen if you're on desktop, if it has a number on it, it means you have notifications. I believe that unless you have PUSH NOTIFICATIONS enabled in your device settings, you won't get pop ups.
Maybe let me know how you get on with that and if you're still not seeing notifications, I'll try YT help again.
Well done Sir
Thanks!
Thank you
The trouble with the tobacco was not being provided anything in the tin to light it. So they used to take the pipe out, and that would make the tin a little lighter. Quite clever, really.
Happy Christmas, Kevin. (And everyone)
This is one thing I would love to find a reproduction of this for my ww1 British impression
I actually have an original bullet pencil gifted by a friend. Its quite something
Nice, treasure it 👍🏻
You have a happy New year
I have one of those boxes as well. Mine is full of stamps though 🤣
love your history videos, never noticed the vitiligo! cool to see we share something, cheers
Thanks Cam, there's no practical way to hide it, so I just have to own it 👍🏻
@@thehistorysquad looks good on ya brother, enjoy the holidays and all the best to you
Thanks for that Kevin. I didn’t realise you were in Saskatoon. I’m an expat living in Cochrane AB. You surely must be a Royal Canadian Legion member. I am a member of RCL15 in Cochrane. My late wife her Grandfather’s tin from WW1. I hope she has passed it on to our son. I’ll have to check. Her Grandfather was at Vimy Ridge and Pashondale . After the war he went back to Manitoba as a settler on a quarter section. My wife, Ann, wrote a book based on the story. It’s called “ A token of love”. I’m sure you will find it interesting reading. If ever you are over this way, do call in at our Legion.
Thanks for the invite, I'll keep it in mind. 👍🏻
Just got one from my grandparents, i put some old deactivated bullets, a pocket watch, whistle and a coin that ca,e fron a Ww1 museum called the valley of death if you’ve heard of it. Amazing video!
Very interesting My Grandad was in the Life Guards as state trumpeter and mounted musician. He was presented with a box (I think from the king) and it has in it a bible. I have it; but cant lay my hands on it now so will send a pic and details sometime.
Interesting as always Kev, the museum tour would be cool, hopefully you’ll get round to some videos of the 1st Nation tribes 🤘🏹
Yes, it's on my radar 👍🏻
I still have my grandfathers tin (long emptied), he served with the DLI then was transferred to a tunnelling company.
Happy Christmas to you and all the viewers! 🎅🎄
Same to you! Thanks.
Merry Christmas Kevin. It's supposed to go below freezing down here in southeast Georgia tonight so I know it is rather cold on the Canadian prairie. Don't worry, you should thaw out by June. Take Care.
Haha, it is, thanks.
Christmas Night..2022....A friend reminded me about my Princess Mary Christmas 1914 Gift Tin I bought a while back.....
I was glad he mentioned it...I always like to take it out and fondle it around now...And Id forgotten.
Imagine the feeling of some poor trooper in the mud, or in the bowels of a ship...what a wonder this would be to them then...so I like to channel that a bit in my own mind.
Mine is really nice...Im glad I was into this before they went nuts in price.
I have what I am reasonably sure is an actual 1914 Christmas day issue. While they ARE almost all close to identical, there are a number of differences in details between the several manufacturers, that help you spot a later example. They needed to keep making them for a huge demand, and were still issuing them as late as 1920 or even later for all the people who applied, or the families of those who had passed away prior to their issue, or those they determined should also get one.
Brass was in tight supply of course cuz of the war, and the Lusitania had a pile of it ear-marked for more tins (allegedly, and not for other reasons brass might be needed, wink wink).
Anyway, my variant has a few details that make me think it was this actual Christmas day issue. Likely due to the rush to get them out in time, the laurel leaves surrounding Princess Mary’s portrait has an error of 18 on one side, and the other 19.
Mine is also ALL brass including the bottom part which were brass plated tin in later editions due to that critical shortages of brass.
I sought out and communicated with this guy out west in Canada who was writing a book on the history of the tins. Super friendly fellow, and he trusted me with an early PDF of his book. He has probably the only example of the chocolate bar that was issued to nurses in lieu of tobacco in existence.
Can you imagine the self-discipline to not wolf down a piece of chocolate in 1914? To perhaps want to save it for a child, or your mother, or share it with a loved one? It's not like today where chocolate falls from the sky.
I wanna get some original inserts for mine. Portraits of Princess Mary, and the King and Queen, and the Christmas Card..but ever since one was shown on that idiot Pawn Stars show...and the 100th anniversary came..demand has been high.
I also want the "silver pencil and 303 rifle shell" kids' variant which was given to the children of KIA...(instead of the usual and majority of cigarettes, and tobacco..not sure which is the least appropriate).
And I want to get a WW1 era Iron Cross to go in there as well!
NEVER buy one from India...there are a pile of easy "tells" its a fake....of which they make a lot..and if youre not familiar..you might get jobbed.
What a fabulous comment, thank you. Do you have the title of the book you mentioned? It's wonderful, as you say, to think that someone had kept the chocolate, perhaps to share with someone special.
I can't remember where I read or heard about this but the first time I discovered these Christmas boxes was from a story of a soldier who actually had his life saved by one of them. This soldier received a box for Christmas and kept it afterwards to store either his Bible or letters from his wife in. He always kept it in his left breast pocket. During an artillery attack, he was hit in the chest by a piece of shrapnel that got lodged in the box. If it wasn't for the box, the shrapnel would've pierced his heart. He also ended up surviving the war. That story always stuck with me
That's a great story 👍🏻
Welcome to Canada! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
How absolutely caring!