tin of tongue, with concealed escape aids, British

Circular 'Armour' brand 'Veribest' ox tongue tin with lid removed, the tin contains numerous folded paper maps (predominantly of north-west Europe) coiled tightly around the inside of the tin and around two circular lead weights which are located in the centre (one of the weights is slightly smaller than the other), also inside the tin are two pairs of foldable 'Beauchamp' wire-cutters, the tin lid is roughly cut with irregular serrated edges, the lid is painted black on one side only.

Tin of 'Armour tongue' (and its escape-related contents) associated with the First World War experiences of Captain J W Shaw as a prisoner of war in Holzminden Camp, Germany. The tin is that referred to in the 'code letter' of 8th October 1918 held in the Department of Documents, a copy of which is on display. This letter was received by Captain J W Shaw in Holzminden on 20 November 1918, however the tin (and its useful contents) reached Holland after the 11 November 1918 (Armistice), and was therefore returned by the authorities, as parcels for prisoners of war then being held up. It was returned the sender -his mother at Bourne End, Buckinghamshire. She had originally received it from the code source in the first place in order to send it on to him in ordinary parcels of food. Tins of Halford's Curry Powder and other commercial brands had been used for the same purpose since January 1918. In this particular tin a few of the compasses had been taken out, otherwise the contents are untouched, as packed. It also contains 2 wire-cutters, 1 lead weight to conform to the stated product contents weight, and sets of ordnance maps (2 to the set) from Holzminden to the Dutch frontier. The list of Officers from whom they are intended is also included. During the First World War Major Shaw served with 2nd King Edward's Horse, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Flying Corps. He was taken prisoner at Messines in 1917 and held at Freiburg. He escaped from this camp and when recaptured was imprisoned in Holzminden POW camp. While there he assisted in the construction of the famous 'Holzminden Tunnel' through which 29 officers escaped. Major Shaw was the 31st in the queue and the tunnel subsided and collapsed on the man in front. During the Second World War he served as Assistant Military Liaison Officer, No 6 (Southern) Region, Reading December 1939-August 1945.

OX TONGUE 'VERIBEST' ARMOUR AND COMPANY DISTRIBUTORS PACKED BY FRIGORIFICO ARMOUR DE LA PLATA ARGENTINA

BEAUCHAMP RD 640130 LONDON PATENT 3574/14