Chocolate Tin

[pat77]

About 40 years ago I bought this tin in am antiques shop. A present of chocolate from the Queen I believe. Christmas 1914 and I believe they are common enough. What was inside it though  was a so soft pure silk Union Jack Handkerchief and a sweetheart brooch. I was wondering if the hankie would have been in the tin originally or added later. Also the brooch. It's Like two gold doves holding a heart in a different metal with 'Somme' engraved on it. Would this have been made by a soldier to send back to a a wife etc?  Pat

[pat77]

I have tried to upload tin etc but it keeps saying file too large . Pat

[Maiden Stone]

Soldiers made items out of shell cases and other battlefield debris.
What kind of leaves are they? Leaves of certain trees are symbolic.
I'd describe the item between the birds as a shield.

[Ruskie]

Is this the tin you have?
https://collections.museumsvictoria.com.au/items/1329146

If so, I don’t think the handkerchief would have been in the tin. I have one of these tins and was told that it originally had Christmas cake in it, though I don’t know if that is correct.

[Ruskie]

The brooch looks like it might have been commercially produced. Yes, probably worn by a wife or sweetheart of a serviceman. I have no knowledge of these items but am guessing that the shield might have been engraved with the name of whatever battle the man took part in - no doubt worn proudly by his wife or girlfriend.

I have a couple of WW1 silk hankies, though I don’t know their purpose - presumably just souvenirs for a wife/sweetheart.

Added: Not much help but ..... https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/resources/letters-first-world-war-1916-18/first-world-war-handkerchief/

[Maiden Stone]

Sailors' and Soldiers' Christmas Fund organised by Princess Mary. Search for Princess Mary Christmas 1914 gift to soldiers or Royal Family gift to soldiers Christmas 1914, or similar terms.
The brass tins contained a pipe & tobacco or cigarettes for smokers or sweets + a pencil for boys and non-smokers. Every tin had a Christmas card and a picture of Princess Mary.

[Ruskie]

I still have the card and the photo. 

[Skoosh]

Laurel leaves!

Skoosh.

[Crumblie]

I am not sure that any soldier would want to commemorate the Somme in such a way, I would think it more likely that a wife or sweetheart had it made to commemorate his death on the Somme.