Complex sentence: For example, it was common for army recruits to have to bring an empty box with them to the barracks in order to send their civilian clothes home to their family, boxes advertising the very common washing powder, Persil, being often used for this purpose.
Split into simpler sentences: For example, it was common for army recruits to have to bring an empty box with them to the barracks in order to send their civilian clothes home to their family. Boxes advertising the very common washing powder, Persil, were often used for this purpose.