This Red Cross First Aid Tin has a LOT of items inside, and it also has the wartime mark. You see a lot of these tins classed as wartime, yet their contents are dated post war. This is because, during the “mend and make do” era after the war, these tins were repurposed. So, you could say it’s a wartime tin, with post war contents. Being made of metal, this tin helps to keep the contents inside safe for when they’re really needed. The size of it also places it as likely being used on a jeep, or other military vehicle of similar size.

Most of the contents are unopened, and even have original seals too. The tin itself has certainly been well loved, but the red cross, and red lettering including wartime marking is still clearly visible. The hinges work as they should, and the closing mechanism is nice and stiff still. The lid closes and opens without problems too. Functionally, it’s in excellent condition. Not only is this piece an important part of British wartime history, it’s also a piece that can be opened, and looked through. The contents can be removed, looked at and researched, or left inside and be part of a home-front display or collection.

This tin contains:

Triangular bandage pack, umbilical cord dressing pack, 2x Melolin non-adherent absorbent dressings, compressed absorbent gauze, elastic adhesive plater, tube of Savlon antiseptic cream, Dibromopropamidine cream, sterile lint dressing, steralised absorbent gauze, steralised medium wound dressing, khaki compressed bandage, standard no.12 large burn dressing, steralised absorbent cotton wool, standard no.12 euflavine (large) dressing, standard medicated lint dressing, white open wove bandages, waterproof plasters, standard dressing no.11, steralised hand or foot dressing no.3, compressed triangular bandages, medium steralised lint dressing, 9x Asprin tablets in tube, standard envelope for hands, pair of scissors, 12 safety pins, eye bath and a notice sheet entitled “Advice on first aid”.