WW1 British Army SRD Rum Jar (original)
An original British Army SRD rum jar which held 1 gallon - enough for 64 men.
Stamped on Base of jar is the maker and there address in Earson & co The potteries Whittington Moor
Each man got approximately one third of a pint each week. On the side of the jar were stamped the intiials "S.R.D." thought to stand for “Service Rations Depot” or “Service Reserve Depot”. Soldiers however, said they stood for “Seldom Reaches Destination”, “Soon Runs Dry” and ”Seldom Rarely Delivers”.
Introduced in the winter of 1914, the rum ration was initially given to soldiers to combat the chill and damp of the trenches.
In the front line, rum was issued twice a day - at dawn and at dusk.
An original British Army SRD rum jar which held 1 gallon - enough for 64 men.
Each man got approximately one
third of a pint each week. On the side of the jar were stamped the intiials
"S.R.D." thought to stand for “Service Rations Depot” or “Service Reserve Depot”.
Soldiers however, said they stood for “Seldom Reaches Destination”, “Soon
Runs Dry” and ”Seldom Rarely Delivers”.
Introduced in the winter of 1914, the rum ration was initially given to soldiers to combat the chill and damp of the trenches.
In the front line, rum was issued twice a day - at dawn and at dusk.
An unknown Officer said the following, “There are men so devout they live for rum. I honestly believe some I know would commit suicide if the rum ration were withdrawn. And in truth the rum is good - fine, strong, warming stuff - the very concentrated essence of army-council wisdom.”
| Weight (g) | 4000.00 |
|---|---|
| Restricted Product? | No |
| Affiliation | British |
| Service | Army |