A ‘Grimsby Box’ by J. H. Dobson c1910.

An original ‘Grimsby Box’ from the early part of the 20th century. ‘Grimsby Boxes’ were used by many steam locomotive drivers up and down the country to carry their tools. Their paperwork and sandwiches etc. were placed in the compartment in the lid.

‘Grimsby Boxes’ were once very well known but now are quite rare. We have never seen another red example. Originally, they were painted black. The owner believes that this one was painted a very long time ago when it was still in use. It would be easy to identify!

The box was made by John Hedley Dobson, ironmonger, of 149 & 151 Freeman Street Grimsby. By the 1920s, Dobson’s shop was at no. 149 only and no. 151 was occupied by W.H. Willey, jeweller. This helps to date the box.

‘Grimsby Boxes’ were made by at least two other companies in the town: James Duke Ltd., ironmongers, Bethlehem Street, Wellowgate and Fish Dock. George Hildred, ironmonger, 2 Hainton Avenue.

W. Padley was the original owner of the box. New England is not a region of the USA in this case. It’s a residential area of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire. Peterborough has, of course, been a major railway town since the mid-1800s.