Book description
It is said that 'an army marches on its stomach', but histories of
the First World War usually concentrate on its political and military
aspects. The gargantuan task of keeping the British Expeditionary
Force fed and watered is often overlooked, yet without adequate
provision the soldiers would never have been able to fight. Tommy
couldn't get enough tea, rum or fags, yet his commanders sent him
bully beef and dog biscuits. But it was amazing how 2 million men did
not usually go short of nourishment, although parcels from home,
canteens and estaminets had a lot to do with that. Incredibly, Tommy
could be in a civilised town supping beer, wine, egg and chps, and a
few hours later making do with bully beef in a water-filled trench.
Alan Weeks examines how the army got its food and drink and what it
was like.
