Battered cigarette case, named.

[realownlee]

Came across one of those 'back burner' items, in a drawer purchased many years ago, tried to research, no real luck........return to it one day!

Brass, doesn't seem to have ever been plated, cigarette case...must have contained very small cigarettes!

'Written' ( small pointed tool used to tap letters into metal)on front-outside

R.A.N. HMS INDEFATIGABLE. JUNE 1st. 1944.

Outside back- MARINE.R.A. Nicholls. PO/X 119720.

Inside left- 1938. 1035075. A. A. NICHOLLS. ROYAL ARTILLERY. and faintly
IPSWICH.

Two brothers I guess?


Inside right- scratched on- 30 JUNE 1943. 119720. R.A. NicHoLLS. RoYAL MARINES (as written) A love heart, then DOREEN. and what seems to be MOHW.

Going back to the front of the case, over the INDEFATIGABLE name there was soldered a small badge/medal? ( a small piece of paper that I must have left in the case at some, point says-WW1 VET MEDAL 'UNION NATIONALS DES COMBATANTS') Badge in form of a wreath with French style helmet in centre with the letters, U.N.C. on a band, simple suspension loop part of badge casting, no separate rings.

Why would he have a French 'badge' on the case?..............must have meant something to him?..........I guess this was R.A. Nicholls doing.

Any help, ideas welcomed!

[realownlee]

Will try and take some pics..........................otherwise, back in the drawer!!

[realownlee]

FILE0004.jpg 'Medal'........Medallion.........sweetheart?

[realownlee]

FILE0006.jpg

FILE0008.jpg

FILE0009.jpg

FILE0011.jpg
Difficult to get good pics..........probably end up lightly gluing the, whatever it is, back on. no makers markings but 'FORIEGN' is stamped on.

[realownlee]

Apologies.
Perhaps I should have gone on line first...even a short film on the YouTube showing pics of the Medal (for tis a Medal!) with ribbon.
More info than when I tried many years ago.
Still cannot see why it would be soldered to case..........poss a Foreign Legion link?

[oc14]

I don't think that it is a cigarette case, I think it is actually a case for visiting cards or possibly even a stamp case
PL

[realownlee]

Oh...................yes, see what you mean..........very small cigarettes......................maybe the whole thing is fake?.......................think I should stick to raf collectibles.......thanks for reply anyway.