Setting out to war means being separated from our nearest and dearest and many of the creature comforts of home. This is why nothing is a more welcome tonic for a soldier’s homesickness than a comfort parcel.
Combing all the things we love most about our longed-for abodes - from tempting treats to beauty products that you’d struggle to find at the ends of the earth – comfort parcels are a taste of home many have come to relish.
Here are some of the ‘must-have’ comfort parcel items featured over the decades:
Tea
What says ‘our fair isle’ better than a steaming cup of tea? During WWII prisoners would no doubt be lifted by the prospect of a good brew thanks to tea, chocolate, tinned pudding, meat roll and more as part of their Red Cross Parcel.
Toiletries
Naturally those at war are unlikely to find a local branch of Boots near their remote army base, which is why toiletries from toothpaste to aftershave are always a welcome sight. Back in 2009 the Comfort Parcels For Troops initiative gathered letters, sweets and toiletries to send to the front lines of Afghanistan.
Gregg’s pasties – yes really
Few can resist the heady combination of flaky pastry and moreish filling that is Gregg’s pasties. And to ensure that those serving abroad could continue to enjoy this baked snack army soldiers at the Gutersloh base, Germany sampled the pasties as part of a 12-week trial back in 2012.
Picture credit: pam loves pie
Playing cards
With internet access potentially being sporadic if not non-existent on tour, soldiers will need to come up with ever more inventive ways to occupy their time. And when it comes to recreation one pack of cards = a multitude of game opportunities. No wonder this item featured in Grace Church’s (Nottingham) list of suggested parcel items to send to British troops.