The Ministry of Defence has turned back the clock by reviving a morale-boosting exercise from World War I.

The first Forces’ Christmas box was the idea of the teenaged Princess Mary, daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, the intention being that everyone wearing the King’s uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day 1914 should receive “a gift from the nation.”

Now that idea has been brought up to date, and the 2004 equivalent is on its way to almost 18,000 people – and hopefully no one will have to wait as long as some in the Great War.

Brig Jeff Little, of the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO), which is helping to organise the boxes, said: “Ninety years ago, the British public showed its support for the UK Servicemen and women in a way never before seen in this country.

“The Princess Mary Christmas Box became an institution – by the time the fund closed in 1920, almost £200,000 had been donated for the provision of more than 2.5 million boxes with contents.

“When we were approached by British industry to revive this brilliant idea we welcomed the opportunity.

“Almost 18,000 boxes are currently in the process of being shipped across the globe.

“Our aim is to ensure that over the Christmas period every member of the Armed Forces taking part in operations will have a 2004 Christmas box in their ‘stocking’.”

The 1914 version contained a selection from a range of items, depending on the recipient.

For officers and men on active service afloat or at the Front the box – which measured five inches by just over three inches, and was just over an inch deep – contained a combination of a pipe, lighter, an ounce of tobacco and 20 cigarettes.

Non-smokers and boys received a bullet pencil and a pack of sweets.

Indian troops often got sweets and spices, and nurses got chocolate.

Other items may have included packets of acid tablets, khaki writing cases, shaving brushes, combs, scissors and purses

Some of these items were distributed separately to the tins themselves, as once the cigarettes and tobacco were placed inside there was often little room for anything else.

More than 13 million cigarettes were bought for the boxes, and nearly 45,000lb of tobacco.

All boxes contained a Christmas card and picture of the Princess, although those which were not delivered in time for Christmas contained a card wishing the recipient a “victorious New Year.”

The lid was embossed with symbols of the Allied powers and adornments such as the bows of battleships.

Distribution of the original boxes proved to be a major headache. More than 350,000 were delivered on time, but shortages of brass meant that many people did not receive their box until 18 months later – and in January 1919 it was reported that “considerable numbers” had still not been distributed.

Priority was given to those in the thick of the action, with others – including troops in the British Isles, receiving theirs later.

The quality of the boxes themselves also suffered as material became scarce – a consignment of brass was lost with the Lusitania, and as brass was needed for the direct war effort, later boxes were of inferior alloy.

In some cases the gift was a lifesaver – there were many reports of the boxes deflecting a bullet or shell splinter; one example is that of Pte Metcalf of the Royal West Kent Regiment, who found that a piece of shrapnel had sliced through the lid and into the tobacco, smashing the pipe – but not causing him any injury. The same shellburst killed the man next to him.

The 2004 boxes are rather larger than the World War I version, and are packed in cardboard boxes the same size as ration packs, which will allow for easier handling and transportation.

It will contain a variety of goods, in some cases even cameras or games.