History of First World War in 100 objects

In normal trench life, by far the greatest comfort — after sleep — was food. The rhythm of life was often set by meals, from rum, bacon, bread and tea for breakfast, to corned beef, cheese and army biscuits in the middle of the day, and — with luck — a Dixie can full of hot, all-in stew carried up after dark. Old Regulars who had served in India might even chuck in a handful of curry powder. To improve this basic diet the army provided tins of pork and beans, Maconochie’s Army Ration (meat and vegetables in gravy), plum and apple jam, and condensed milk to be shared among a group of four. Variety was limited, especially as the war ground on, and parcels from home were eagerly awaited. They could contain all sorts of items to supplement the army basics, such as chocolate, biscuits, sweets and cakes, but the favourites were Oxo cubes, Bovril and tobacco. Out of line, food was readily available to all ranks. Cafés sprang up everywhere to accommodate the British soldiers’ hunger for egg and chips, washed down with French beer.