Story by Dan Hodges

A rare box of vintage treasures has found its way back to The Poppy Factory in Richmond-upon-Thames after being discovered by a local resident during a trip to South Africa.

Victoria Martin travelled more than 8,000 miles back to her rural family home, where she discovered the 1930s Art Deco-style package while searching through a container for her late grandmother's wedding dress.

Victoria shares a home in Larkfield Road, Richmond, with her husband Simon, and was considering wearing the dress for their own wedding.

She was amazed to open the pink and gold-embossed box and discover an original 1930s lapel poppy, accompanied by two artificial blue cornflowers from the same era. Also in the box was a receipt from The Poppy Factory in Petersham Road, dated 7 June 1934.

Capturing the enterprising spirit that has always run through the charity, the receipt includes a note that reads: "The Factory of Remembrance, British Legion Poppy Factory. Manufacturers of artificial flowers, wreaths, rosettes and badges for all occasions. Christmas crackers, embossed Christmas tags, labels and seals of all kinds. Collapsible carboard boxes, bookmarks and cleaning brushes … every employee disabled by war service."

After reading the receipt, Victoria realised that the original manufacturer was based a short walk from her home in Petersham Road. She brought the objects carefully back to the UK and donated them to The Poppy Factory in June, for safe keeping and display in the new visitor centre.

Revealing the contents of the vintage poppy box

Members of the public will have the chance to see the vintage box and its contents, and hear the story of its provenance, during its summer discovery sessions on June 26, July 5, July 18 and August 21. 

Reflecting on her remarkable discovery, Victoria said: "Rummaging through the container, I couldn't believe it when I found this little box and made the connection with Richmond. These flowers have been on quite a journey back and forth across the world, and I'm delighted to be able return them to the place where they were made."

Although The Poppy Factory has some archive pieces dating back to its early years in the 1920s, there was nothing in its collection quite like the 1930s poppy and cornflowers, or the receipt.

Amanda Shepard, Chief Executive of The Poppy Factory, said: "We're so grateful to Victoria for giving us these beautiful flowers, which would have been among the first produced in our second Richmond factory building after it opened in 1933. They are in excellent condition and are a stunning addition to our collection.

"The receipt also proves that we have always thought creatively about how to support veterans with health conditions into meaningful and sustained employment. That is as true as ever today, as we launch new services to support veterans and their families across England and Wales."

To book to join one of The Poppy Factory's summer discovery sessions, visit www.poppyfactory.org/discoverydays