ITEM DESCRIPTION
On first glance this is a fairly common silver cigarette case until you read and understand what the engraved wording is all about on the top. UNIQUE and worthy of being in a serious collectors cabinet or a museum display for all to see, this is a very special MIDDLESBROUGH related box.
This is an antique sterling silver pocket cigarette case with a gilt interior.
It has a nice foliage sort of pattern engraved onto the surface along with the following engraving:
To
Q.M.S., F. Carter,
12th S.B. Yorks.
from Gosforth V.T.C.
as a small token of appreciation
on leaving District
12.8.15
This is interesting to anyone collecting THE GREEN HOWARDS - YORKSHIRE REGIMENT First World War militaria.
I have been able to work the meaning of the initials and info below
To Quarter Master Sergeant F. Carter of the 12th (Service) Battalion ( they were a PALS Battalion known as the Teesside Pioneers ) of the Yorkshire Regiment. From GOSFORTH Volunteer Training Corps as a small appreciation on leaving district 12th August 1915.
If you google the 12th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment you will see they were formed in Middlesbrough in 21st December 1914 by W.J. Bruce, Mayor of the town. Moved initially to Gosforth and in August 1915 moved again to Cannock Chase.
They went to France in 1916 with the 40th Division. Were in service for only 41 months before becoming part of the Worcestershire Regiment.
So a very small time frame in the scheme of things but a very busy group of local men. You must google them and watch the YouTube video, see below.
This small silver cigarette box tells you all that history on the front of it. WOW !!
The Yorkshire Regiment were of course The Green Howards based at Richmond in North Yorkshire.
It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1913 with maker's mark S. BROs.
I have not done any research into Q.M.S. F. Carter so that will be a challenge for someone and just think how many local Middlesbrough and the surrounding catchment area men were trained here in the Gosforth V.T.C.
If you google Teesside Pioneers you will find a really interesting YouTube story of 37 minutes which you should take the time to listen to and watch. It is on the great war forum.
Lt. Col. H.W. Becher a retired officer became the Teesside Pioneers Commanding Officer for their 41 months only service before the 12th Battalion ( Teesside Pioneers ) became part of the Worcestershire Regiment.
Lt. Col. H.W. Becher got a D.S.O. medal in 1917.
Volunteer Training Corps - interesting too if you read about those during WW1 and it wont be long before we are needing them again will it, the way things are going !!
A very interesting a highly important bit of social history which has never been on the market before. A great item for the specialist collector or museum alike.