Hi chrissie,
Yes, it really makes you wonder about the person & their lives when you find something like you did.
Your man was probably at the Releif of Ladysmith with my Gt Uncle during the Boer War, what a scary experience that must have been.
I'm going to keep trying to find some photos of the 19th H anyway.
How great it would have been if that old chest had held some documents, if I was you I'd certainly keep it, in memory of it's oricinal owner and his life.
Thanks for posting the details.
Regards
Barbara.