World War 2

A limited number of ‘dummy’ Prisoner of War Food Parcels were produced to show families of Prisoners and other Agencies examples of what was being sent to the enemy Prison Camps  (having food in the tins for display purposes would have been a waste).    The Parcels were prepared for the Joint War Organisation by members of the British Red Cross  and  Order of St John (parent body of St John Ambulance)  and issued under the banner of “The Red Cross” being the international organisation based at Geneva – an organisation which stemmed from the 1st Geneva Convention of 1864.

Until 1944 a bar of soap was included in the Food Parcel however, when alternative plans for supplying same were agreed it was replaced with 3 food items

The tin box contained 50 cigarettes and the packs were of 10.      Packaging clearly shows the British Red Cross and St John names  but ….. that was when smoking was believed to be harmless

Comforts Bags contained the basic essentials a wounded man admitted to Hospital  or  returned Prisoner of War might need such as  soap,  face flannel,  toothbrush,  toothpaste,  shaving brush,  razor,  razor blades,  etc..

A street collection tin and flag (same as that printed on the tin wrapper)

An Ulster Gift Fund badge for the volunteers who were knitting or sewing requisites for Hospitals and Serving Forces..

A roundel for easy identification of gases and appropriate treatment together with Anti-Gas ointment and labels