When Rustic Warehouse Made the Front Page of the Lynn News
Back in March 2019, Rustic Warehouse found itself on the front page of the Lynn News after an old military trunk arrived at our shop.
At first glance, it was a well-used black wooden trunk with plenty of age and character. However, the lettering painted across the lid made it far more personal:
Major S. R. Gyton
603 Felixstowe Road, Ipswich
along with an army service number and other military markings.
We regularly come across antique furniture and vintage pieces with interesting histories, but this trunk immediately stood out. It clearly belonged to someone who had served in the armed forces, and we felt it deserved more than simply being placed out for sale.
Trying to trace the original owner
The newspaper reported how we began searching online for information about Major S. R. Gyton in the hope of finding a surviving relative.
Our research suggested that he had served during the Second World War. Information found at the time indicated that Lieutenant Gyton and a group of non-commissioned officers were listed as missing around the D-Day landings in June 1944, and that he had later been held as a prisoner of war in Germany.
That transformed the trunk from an old storage box into a genuine piece of personal and military history.
We hoped that somebody reading the appeal might recognise the name or address and help reunite the trunk with a member of Major Gyton’s family.
Rustic Warehouse on the front page
The story was featured prominently on the front page of the Lynn News on Tuesday 12 March 2019 under the headline:
“Trunk call for baggage reclaim with old soldier.”
It was a proud moment for Rustic Warehouse and a reminder that the antiques and vintage items passing through our doors can carry remarkable stories.
Every scratch, painted name and worn label can provide a clue about where an object has been, who owned it and the life it formed part of.
More than just old furniture
One of the things we love most about dealing in antiques and vintage pieces is uncovering the history behind them. Some items arrive with a clear story, while others leave us piecing together clues from old labels, inscriptions, photographs and family names.
Although not every mystery can be solved, we always enjoy learning more about the unusual items we find and sharing their stories with our customers.
The military trunk remains one of our most memorable discoveries and certainly one of the few that resulted in Rustic Warehouse appearing on the front page.
