Oscar F Rowntree was a Director at Rowntrees and also the Sheriff of York..He was a Quaker and member of the Liberal Party..The tin was produced by Rowntrees and sent to troops in France for Christmas 1914 .Troops from the City of York only..to give them a taste of home and boost morale..Each tin contained blocks of Rowntrees chocolate wrapped in paper and the tin design incorporated the flags of the Allied Nations  Not that sure but I think  178 York servicemen died 

 

This is very poignant Kennett. Was it just chocolate that they sent in the tin?

Found in a house clearance... empty!

Boer war troops tin produced by Barringer's c1900. Supplying the chocolate contents was split 3 ways between Fry's, Cadbury's and Rowntree's.