This is an original British “Paragon” First Aid Case No.125, a factory first aid kit introduced under the Factories Act of 1937 and the First Aid in Factories Order of 1938, regulations that required workplaces to maintain approved medical supplies for treating minor injuries. Kits of this type were widely used in British factories and workshops and became a familiar part of the WW2 Home Front, where industrial workers supported the wartime production effort. The case is finished in its distinctive cream enamel paint with bold red lettering reading “PARAGON FIRST AID CASE.” Inside the lid is the original printed instruction sheet titled “Treatment of Minor Injuries,” clearly marked Form 923 – October 1937, referencing the legislation that introduced these kits. The instructions outline the recommended contents and treatment procedures for common workplace injuries such as cuts, burns, and minor wounds. Remarkably, the case still retains a substantial portion of its original contents. These include multiple B.P.C. sterilized wound dressings, burn dressings, a Band-Aid emergency dressing tin, an Elastikon Band-Aid elastic dressing tin, and additional period medical supplies. Also present is the original first aid booklet published by T. J. Smith & Nephew Ltd, manufacturers of Elastoplast and other surgical dressing products. The booklet itself is stamped with the name and address Mrs. Margaret Danby, Radcliffe, Manchester, providing a small but evocative glimpse into the civilian ownership and everyday use of this kit. It’s also worth noting, one of the items in this case is already stamped with the same name which is a beautiful example of continuity. Condition is particularly good for a factory first aid kit of this period. The tin retains strong colour and clear lettering, with only light wear consistent with age and use. The interior remains very clean, and the printed instruction sheet inside the lid is still present and legible. Importantly, many of the medical items inside the case remain intact and well preserved, with bright packaging and clear labels that display very nicely. Overall, it presents far better than many surviving examples, which are often found empty or with heavily deteriorated contents. Industrial first aid kits like this were an essential part of workplace safety during the late 1930s and throughout WW2, particularly in factories and workshops where the risk of minor injuries was common. As such, they form a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of Britain’s Home Front medical preparedness and industrial wartime life. A very well-preserved and visually attractive example of a WW2-era British factory first aid kit, complete with period contents and strong display appeal.
