Trinket box

Varnished wood trinket box with a chequer board pattern in marquetry on the lid and sides. At the centre of the lid is the badge of the Royal Engineers, a crown over Garter around GVR within laurel wreath and over scroll. A label on the base indicates that this piece had been for sale.

In early October 1914 the First Royal Naval Brigade had been deployed to help the Belgians fight German troops attacking Antwerp. During their retreat through Belgium their route was cut off. On 11 October 1,500 men of the Brigade arrived in Groningen in the Netherlands, having crossed the border to avoid being taken as prisoners of war by the Germans; in the neutral Netherlands they were interned, as dictated by international law. Whilst in the camp the internees took part in organised activities such as woodworking. The objects were sold to the public and could even be made to order, it appears from the label on the base that this piece had been for sale.