A First World War time capsule created by Dundee postal workers has been handed over to the city, a month before its official opening.
Created in 1921, the treasure trove is contained in an oak box with an inscribed plaque that says: “To be opened on the 4th August 2014 by the Postmaster in the presence of the Lord Provost.”
It is believed to store rare First World War items, including letters from serving soldiers, photographs of loved ones lost in the war, newspaper cuttings, stamps and coins.
The box was discovered last year thanks to the efforts of local historian Janice Kennedy.
Janice was researching her great-great-grandfather’s brother Henry Adams a famous glover, when she recalled a poem she had read in Gahan’s Diary, which was on loan to her from her father’s friend.
The diary, of which there are 200 copies which were given to his friends as a gift, spoke about a box at the post office which she recalled was due to be opened fairly soon.
At Thursday’s handover ceremony representatives from Royal Mail and the Post Office, on behalf of their predecessor, the General Post Office (GPO), presented the memorial to Lord Provost Bob Duncan and The McManus.
Mr Duncan thanked them both for their guardianship of the box, as well as Dundee High School for its involvement in the project.
He said: “I am looking forward to the big day when the box is finally opened. I am sure there are lots of treasures inside and it will be interesting to see how the whole city relates to its contents.”
Ricky Turner, Royal Mail delivery manager, said: “Royal Mail played a significant role in the First World War where we delivered 12 million letters and parcels to troops stationed on the Western Front.
“The Postal Memorial Shrine made by colleagues in 1921 is a special link to the war for all of us in Dundee.
“It has been in our care for 93 years and we are proud that the City of Dundee will display it before it is officially opened on August 4.”
Linda Bonar, stakeholder manager for the Post Office Ltd, said: “On the centenary of the First World War, it is fitting that this unique piece of Dundee postal heritage should be displayed at The McManus. It gives us great pleasure to see it being given pride of place here in the city, and I hope that Dundonians young and old will be as excited as we are in seeing exactly what it contains.”
The box will be on display at The McManus until the opening ceremony, after which it will return to the museum for three months so people can see its contents for themselves.
Rhona Rodger, social history curator at The McManus, thanked Royal Mail and the Post Office for giving the museum the opportunity to display the box to the public, which she hopes will be able to engage more with the centenary as a result.
It is also hoped that some of the descendants of the 240 postal workers who enlisted, and those who were on the committee that created to time capsule, can be traced before the opening, and possibly attend the ceremony.
Although many of those names are unknown, a number of them are listed on the Post Office memorial on Ward Road.
The time capsule will be opened at a ceremony to mark the centenary of the start of the First World War on August 4.
The event is being organised by the Lord Provost’s office, Dundee High School, Dundee Art Galleries and Museums, Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd and the Great War Dundee Partnership.
Anyone with any information about the descendants can contact Rhona Rodger, social history curator at The McManus, Albert Square, Meadowside, Dundee DD1 1DA or can telephone 01382 432373.
BUILT TO LAST
The precious contents of the memorial box were well protected by our ancestors so much so that getting it open could prove challenging.
To ensure it would last 100 years the historical treasures were sealed within a welded lead box, which was then carefully wrapped in asbestos.
However, the expert packers at the General Post Office didn’t know in 1929 that asbestos could be so dangerous, and the council have since had it safely removed.
Also, as the lead box is welded shut, it will have to be very carefully opened without applying heat that could risk incinerating the contents.
DC Thomson historian Norman Watson said the trove of First World War artefacts is very rare.
He said: “There is very little untouched First World War material. We have almost a childlike wonder about what’s in this box that has been buried for 100 years.
“Soldiers on the battlefield wrote letters with the possibility they may not survive the war. Some of these letters are believed to be in the box.
“It is especially poignant because Dundee lost so many people. I doubt there are many families who have been in Dundee a long time and didn’t know someone lost in the Great War.”
Photo by www.anguspictures.com