Tea Caddy Presentation - Occasion?

I recently purchased a wonderful tea caddy (art deco combined with "arts & crafts") hand crafted from pewter, copper and wood. The cover is inscribed (an understatement) PRESENTED ON SEPTEMBER 2nd BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF COVENTRY ~ In large type are the initials JDC and 1933. This item is beautifully designed and crafted. I would like to know who JDC was and what prompted the presentation of this beautiful box. Thanks, Dave

Hi David Can't be sure, but it may be commemorating when 6,500 to 7,000 children were taken on 10 special trains from Coventry to Portsmouth to visit the naval vessels as part of a school trip. This occurred on the 2nd of September 1933. An old pathe news reel video of the event: Britishpathe.com. The event is also mentioned in the "British Battleships 1919-1945" (Burt, 2013): Google Books. The school trip is also mentioned here on CoventryMemories.co.uk Can't be sure that this is what the tea caddy is commemorating but it seems quite a coincidence. I'm not sure what 'JDC' stands for. Hope this helps Luke.'

Hi Luke, Thanks for the info. This confirms a story that I had heard. I heard that a wealthy benefactor paid for the trip. This tea caddy may have been his thank you gift. Cheers, Dave

Hi David, Take a look at this link, it won't add to your knowledge but it may help us both find him/her. Regards, Derek.

An article in the Portsmouth Evening News says that the trip was organised by the head teachers of Coventry. There are a few names on the article but none with the initials J D C.

There's a British pathe film recording this visit to Portsmouth. Sadly no mention of JDC.

There's also a pin badge associated with it.

The button would be nice to have. Thanks to all who have responded. I am sure this took quite an effort of organization but the big question is, who paid for it? It must have cost quite a sum and remember, it was during the great depression. It was quite a contribution to the community.

The visit must have been taken to coincide with 'Navy Week'. By entering Portsmouth Navy 1933 and selecting a Yahoo site we came up with another Pathe News film clip showing huge numbers of people near HMS Victory and another Battleship (Rodney or Nelson?). These events were usually held over the August Bank Holiday so the date 2 September would be right. I realise this doesn't help with the mystery of the identity of JDC though.

I took a look and while interesting, not too helpful. It would be nice to find someone from that time, who remembers the event or was a participant and may have an inkling regarding who paid for it. 7,000/8,000 children and a half dozen or so trains was not an insignificant sum. Thanks for your thoughts. Cheers, David

More than likely a complete red herring, but what if the JDC isn't a person? Joint Defence Chiefs, or something like that? Or someone related to the JJCash family? Another herring, but one definitely related to the Naval Dockyards....... Have a look at this link, which takes you to a 1935 design by a "Jesse Dale Cast". The description says "A preliminary drawing allied to the related group of oil studies (ZBA1675-1679) and the finished oil painting ZBA1674. The study is squared and numbered vertically 1-29 and horizontally 1-54. It is initialled 'JDC' in blue ink lower right, along with 'Greenwich 1935' upper right. " Was Jesse a wealthy artist from Coventry?? Doesn't seem very likely, but we're clutching at straws, I guess. You never know!

The particular straw I keep clutching at is Clare the poet!!?? A Clare was the first interment in the cemetery, and some nice wording on the stone as well. Of course, this could all be coincidence!? "but such a prominent JDC" Regards Derek.

The box was sold recently in Brighton which suggests that it was owned by someone down there and possibly only came onto the market because someone died. Originally there was an enamelled panel where the copper section is with the city coat of arms. So I assume it was presented to whoever or whatever organised the Portsmouth trip. JDC could be that person's initials (so might not be famous in Coventry or anywhere) or it might be something like Junior Devon Cadets or Joint Devon Councils??? A badge issued for the occasion can be seen here and doesn't reflect anything on the box. The Portsmouth trip wasn't the only excursion that Coventry kids made but perhaps it was the biggest?

Helen, Thanks for all of this information, particularly part about the copper panel. Had you seen it prior to its sale? It doesn't look like the panel is a recent add-on so maybe it was under the coat of arms? Also, the copper panel, if added recently, was very skillfully done. I also wonder where the box was made and by whom? It looks too professionally designed and skilled to have been made by manual arts students.

Helen. Can you give any information of the date it was sold in Brighton, and by what firm. I can then check it out.