cooking

Cooking behind barbed wire: the evolution of prison camp cookers

Below is a reprint of an article written by John Frizell (ex-POW) and donated to us by John Parfitt. (See also related interview). We have not been able to track down either the author or the publication in which it might have appeared, or even determine if it was ever published. We would welcome any information anyone may have on this.

The ingenuity of people placed in distressed situations has proved, over the years, that many basic problems can be overcome. Such was the case among Second World War prisoners of war, when faced with the problem of cooking whatever meagre rations came their way.

The Edmonds cookery book features in The A to Z of New Zealand stamp series produced by New Zealand Post in 2008.

• Read more about Edmonds cookery book.

Cover of the 3rd edition of The 'Sure to rise' cookery book (1914), published by baking manufacturer T.J. Edmonds. 

Mobile cookers like this one, which belonged to the Wellington Regiment, were able to provide simple hot meals to soldiers in the support trenches within 1000 metres of the front line. The supply of food and hot drinks, such as tea, coffee and cocoa, was crucial in maintaining the health and morale of troops who had to endure not only the anxiety of combat but the physical hardship of days and nights huddled in cold, muddy trenches.