A tobacco box belonging to Fred Negus of Camborne, who played in the three rugby matches on the Front in 1914/15. Two cap badges are also stored in the box.
This was one of hundreds of thousands of brass boxes sent out after money was raised via the ‘Sailors and Soldiers Christmas Fund’, an initiative of Princess Mary, the 17-year-old daughter of King George V and Queen Mary. The boxes were ‘ a gift from the nation’,. sent to everyone wearing the Kings’ uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1914.
Fred Negus’ grandson, Chris, who still lives near Camborne, has kept this box and lent to the Heart of Conflict exhibition.
