the box

Whilst serving during World War I, Co. Down nurse Olive Swanzy kept sketch books documenting her time and the people she met. Filled with poems, paintings and cartoons, these books lay forgotten for years in a Rostrevor attic.

When they were finally unearthed their secrets were revealed. Within their covers were poems, jokes, comments, cartoons and sketches by wounded soldiers in Olive’s care. Alongside her own beautiful paintings, these books tell a fascinating story of very real people during extraordinary times.

This remarkable archive of material lay forgotten for decades in a box in an attic in Rostrevor before it was discovered again. The nurse’s house was sold after her death but it was only when when the new owner was downsizing and selling everything left in the house before going to live abroad that artist Marie Claire Douglas noticed the watercolours for sale, bought the box for £50 and framed the paintings.

Years later, she decided to take a more detailed look at the contents of the box.

“I was staggered by what I read, I was in floods of tears and I realised I would have to do something about this,” said Douglas.
– The Irish News

Watch as The Box comes to life and tells the story of the men and women who placed their thoughts, hopes and dreams in the care of Olive’s autograph books.

You can watch the fascinating NVTV documentary on the creation of the show here