A fine Royal Navy sailor’s ditty box, personalised to HMS Barham, one of the most famous British battleships of WW2.

The lid features a hand-painted White Ensign with Union Jack, anchor, and the initials “R.N.” (Royal Navy), together with the ship’s name. Inside are some personal items, including a stencilled cloth bag, a postcard of the battleship, tins, bottles, and other small items, giving a sense of a sailor’s life.

The box is of excellent overall quality, dovetail-jointed with a working lock and key. The box shows honest age but remains in superb condition.

Historical note: HMS Barham, a Queen Elizabeth-class battleship, was tragically sunk by U-331 in November 1941 with the loss of over 800 men. Her destruction was captured on film by a naval cameraman, making her one of the most remembered ships of the war.