This memo from the British Red Cross and Order of St. John lists contents of a typical Red Cross prisoner of war food parcel. It also provides instructions for how to donate to the cause.

The memo, saved by Denis Crooks, was sent to me by Denis’ daughter Maggie Clarke.

PW/46D/41.

WAR ORGANISATION
of the
BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY and ORDER OF ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

PRISONERS OF WAR DEPARTMENT
St. James’s Palace,
London, S. W. 1.

List of Typical Contents of Standard Food Parcels despatched from the Packing Centres of the Organisation.

These parcels are addressed to the International Red Cross Committee at Geneva, for distribution among the prisoners of war. Donations towards their cost (approximately 10/- each) are most gratefully received by the Prisoners of War Department, St. James’s Palace, London, S.W.1. or by the Scottish Red Cross Society, c/o Messrs. Mitchell & Smith, 163, West George St., Glasgow, C.2; but parcels are provided for all prisoners whether contributions are sent on their behalf or not.

1 Tin Biscuits, such as .Service Ration, Krispbread, etc.
1 Tin Cheese
1 Packet Chocolate
1 Tin Fish, such as Herrings, Pilchards, Sardines, etc.
1 Packet Dried Fruit, such as Dates, Prunes, Raisins, etc. or 1 Tin Fruit, such as
Peaches, Pears etc. or 1 Tin Pudding, such as Apple, Treacle, Creamed Rice etc.
1 Tin Honey or Jam or Marmalade or Syrup
1 Tin Margarine
1 Tin Cold Meat, such as Ham and Beef Roll, Galantine, Pressed Beef, etc.
1 Tin Hot Meat, such as Curried Mutton, Minced Steak, Steak and Kidney Pudding etc.
1 Tin Milk
1 Tablet Soap, unscented
1 Tin Sugar
1 Packet Tea
1 Tin Vegetables, such as Beans, Peas, Spinach, etc.
1 Tin Special Food with Ascorbic Acid (containing Vitamin C), such as Fruit Bars,
Lemon Curd, etc.

And one or more of the following:

Cocoa, Ovaltine, etc.
Ginger Nuts, etc.
Marmite, Yeatex, etc.
Meat or Fish Paste
Oatmeal
Condiments
Sweets, such as Barley Sugar, Butterscotch, etc.
and other articles as available.

TOBACCO AND CIGARETTES ARE PACKED SEPARATELY EVERY WEEK, BUT ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE PARCEL.

THE FOOD IN THIS PARCEL IS SPECIALLY PLA.NNED TO SUPPLY WHAT IS LACKING IN THE GERMAN CAMP RATIONS.