Canvas covered chest belonging to Henry Banister (1789-1869) Inspector of Caulkers, Woolwich Dockyard. A midshipman's type chest reinforced with steel bands and corners. Iron drop handles at either end. It is painted black at the top and bottom with white sides.
In 1797, Banister began his career, aged seven, as a cartridge boy at Woolwich Arsenal, before transferring to Woolwich Dockyard two years later to become an oakum boy. In 1802 he was entered as a caulker's apprentice, serving for eight years. On 18 May 1810 he joined the Royal Navy as a caulker in the 'Chichester', a 26-gun storeship bound for the East Indies. Banister survived the loss of the ship in a typhoon off Madras on 2 May 1811 and transferred to the 'Illustrious' (74 guns), under the command of Commodore William Broughton. He was present at the capture of Java, receiving the Java medal for his involvement in the action. Banister left naval service on 15 February 1814 and returned to Woolwich Dockyard as a caulker. He was appointed Inspector of Caulkers in 1841, a post he helf until he retired aged 70.
In addition his naval and dockyard careers, Banister was a keen bell-ringer and founded the Woolwich Band of Ringers.