matchboxes used during the First World War

[battle of loos]

good morning,

 

I'm looking for documentation on matchboxes used during the first war.

 

My question for this subject this relates to discoveries in the field such as matchbox covers including one with a leftover box :

 

on the box cover, it is engraved 'Arras'

The matchbox is of the brand : "Light Bouy" (internet)

 

 

rest of this photo finding on a box cover :

Lord Kitchener and an English soldier 

 

cover box made from a shell casing 

 

 

 

thank you in advance for your help.

 

Kind regards

 

Michel

[mancpal]

I can't really help other than the Kitchener matchbox must be post June '16.

 

Simon

[Chasemuseum]

From the small number I have handled, the obvious statements

they were larger than modern match boxes

the box itself was made with thin planed wood

the use of various metal clip covers, and metal cases for the box was common. Many of these were provided and marked by comfort funds and the Red Cross. 

 

Like so many areas of associated trench material, you are unlikely to find a lot of good documentary information. Matches were made by numerous companies and handled as a general produce commodity. Many makers printed numerous decorative labels to enhance sales of their brand. As a young child in the early sixties, we would collect the labels. In Australia back then, the wood for the boxes and the matches was plantation grown poplar. In the 70's I used to "bush walk" along a river where most of the Sydney plantations were located. I expect that British matches in WW1 were mostly produced from a selection of Scandinavian pines.

 

Cheers

Ross

[battle of loos]

10 hours ago, mancpal said:

I can't really help other than the Kitchener matchbox must be post June '16.

 

Simon

 

good morning,

 

thank's for your answer.

 

regards

 

michel

[battle of loos]

9 hours ago, Chasemuseum said:

From the small number I have handled, the obvious statements

they were larger than modern match boxes

the box itself was made with thin planed wood

the use of various metal clip covers, and metal cases for the box was common. Many of these were provided and marked by comfort funds and the Red Cross. 

 

Like so many areas of associated trench material, you are unlikely to find a lot of good documentary information. Matches were made by numerous companies and handled as a general produce commodity. Many makers printed numerous decorative labels to enhance sales of their brand. As a young child in the early sixties, we would collect the labels. In Australia back then, the wood for the boxes and the matches was plantation grown poplar. In the 70's I used to "bush walk" along a river where most of the Sydney plantations were located. I expect that British matches in WW1 were mostly produced from a selection of Scandinavian pines.

 

Cheers

Ross

good mornig,

 

Thank you for your information.
it is easier to find the matchbox covers than the boxes themselves.

 

Kind regards

 

Michel

[Chasemuseum]

The only one I have that is definitely WW1, came as part of a deceased soldiers personal effects, in the matchbox safe.

Cheers

 

 

[battle of loos]

good morning,

thank you for the presentation of the case.
Kind regards

Michel

[GWF1967]

On 15/06/2020 at 14:05, Chasemuseum said:

The only one I have that is definitely WW1, came as part of a deceased soldiers personal effects, in the matchbox safe.

Cheers

 

 

Can I ask the dimensions of your Bryant and May box please. 

 I have a similar box, in a factory made brass cover, that came with an ASC man’s medals and other items. 

[battle of loos]

good evening,

 

thank you for this presentation.

 

regards

 

michel