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Claire Hunter, 23 December 2020, Australian War Memorial
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum > Records
First World War Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Brass Tin as received by Midshipman Donald Howley NETTLETON, RN
1914Overview
A small rectangular brass tins featured an embossed image of Princess Mary, surrounded by a wreath, with the letter ‘M’ embossed on either side. The tin contains a packet of tobacco and packet of cigarettes; both are unused with original yellow and black packaging. Also contains the original Christmas card and black and white portrait photograph of Princess Mary.
Historical information
The Princess Mary Gift Fund box is an embossed brass box that originally contained a variety of items such as tobacco and chocolate. It was intended as a Christmas present to those serving at Christmas in 1914 and was paid for by a public fund backed by Princess Mary. Designed by Messrs Adshead and Ramsay.
Details
Details
Registration number
cwa-org-12-2025.20.1.a-e
Item type
Themes
Material
Width
130 mm
Height or length
86 mm
Depth
31 mm
Weight
182 g
Inscriptions and markings
Embossed on tin lid “SUN SCULPTURE / U&U / TRADEMARK” with “MAN'F'D BY / UNDERWOOD & UNDERWOOD / NEW YORK / PATENTED JUNE 11, 1901 / FOREIGN PATENTS / APPLIED FOR.” underneath near handle.
Contextual information
Received by Donald Howley NETTLETON who was serving in the Royal Navy throughout the First World War. Donald was born on 5 September 1898 in Surrey, England and enlisted in the Royal Navy and served as a Midshipman on HMS Bellerophon from 27 May 1915 until 17/01/1917. Donald later immigrated to Western Australia and married Maude (nee WICKENS) in Fremantle in 1945. Donald died in Jolimont in 1959, with Maude later moving to Albany until her death on 22 May 2003 aged 101. The tin was given to donor’s mother in 2003 who was a friend of Maude.
Place made
United Kingdom
Year
Primary significance criteria
Historic significance
Social or spiritual significance
Comparative significance criteria
Interpretive capacity
Well provenanced
Google Maps search term / URL
https://maps.app.goo.gl/gWHZtRH1mm24SAjK8
Geotag
-35.030449, 117.912878
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Nearest geotagged records:
Nearby places: View all geotagged records »
Open in Google Maps
Nearest geotagged records:
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- Enlistment Poster (0km away)
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Last modified
Tuesday, 9 December, 2025
Completeness
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum
Princess Royal Fortress Military Museum
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