Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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How things turn up

Posted by Allan C. on 27/9/2025, 10:17 am

Looking at the BBC online news an item about the bodies of two Scots soldiers found during the building of Loos Hospital.

Uniform items determined the two regiment these two lads came from.

However with the remains were also buttons from Newcastle Corporation Tramways.

The MOD people were able to find that one of the soldiers fathers had worked for the Corporation Tramways and thus they were able to find living relatives, two brothers.

I attach the photo of two brothers from Whitley Bay who have in their possession a handed down Black Box that contains photos etc some WW1. Etc.

I was surprised to see the Black Box. It’s identical to the box that I have that came down from my grandfather or maybe Great Grandfather with one exception my box is varnished wood. Mine contains the same kind of photos and documents

Just looking at the photo you could replace one of the brothers with me and change the colour of the box to wood coloured one.

It’s appears that those type of boxes were in use around WW1 or earlier. Could they be a standard issue to soldiers in the early 1900’s.

My Grandfather was a Sapper 1904 to 1908 so maybe that’s how he had one.

This just adds another layer to my Family History information.

Allan C.

Re: How things turn up

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 27/9/2025, 10:50 am, in reply to "How things turn up"

My family had what we called a Ditty Box

Re: How things turn up

Posted by Carol Badger on 27/9/2025, 6:16 pm, in reply to "How things turn up"

My grandfather (from Jarrow) was in the navy WW1. All sailors were given a wooden Ditty Box (I have his) to keep personal item and papers in.

Re: How things turn up To both Carol ‘s thanks for posting

Posted by Allan C. on 27/9/2025, 11:08 pm, in reply to "Re: How things turn up"

Carol B.That looks in pristine condition. It may have been cleaned and repaired Etc.

I must check if the one that I have had support for a tray.

So it appears that all members of the forces were given those boxes in WW1. In WW2 was it the duffel bag?

Something learned, possibly never known about in later year’s.

Allan C.

Those wooden boxes

Posted by Allan C. on 28/9/2025, 10:16 am, in reply to "How things turn up"

The one I have has probably been modified.

It has a carrying handle or did have as handle itself is gone.

There is no key for the lock but two clasps fitted to secure it closed.

So it’s been repurposed I think to carry documents or something, I’ll never know.

Comparing with the other photos it’s I would say identical to that the brothers have.

It has no tray nor internal supports for one. However the tray could be a floating one, it just sits on whatever is in the box.

Allan C.

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