Princess Mary's Gift Fund Box, 1914.

The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and contained tobacco, cigarettes, a pipe and lighter. For non-smokers writing paper and a pencil were provided. For Indian troops candy and spices were given instead of, or in combination with, cigarettes. After Christmas 1914 the scheme was extended. A more simple gift was given out to all other servicemen ('Classes B & C') which consisted of a bullet pencil and a New Year card.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.