History – Keeping the home fires burning

“Your local Patriotic Committee would appreciate your assistance!”

With troops on active service in foreign lands, the war effort was in full swing back in New Zealand. Patriotic Societies, comprised primarily of women, emerged across the country – fundraising, organising volunteers and assembling care packages. Women and girls industriously stitched, baked and knitted providing ‘practical comforts’ for servicemen abroad.

The National Patriotic Society advised that soldiers at the front needed – two pairs of socks and underpants, two woollen shirts and undershirts, towels and cholera belts, one handkerchief, chest protector, pair of braces, holdall, balaclava, service bag for rations and a ‘hussif’ (portable sewing kit).

During WWI and WWII, these items were willingly handmade in sewing circles and schools throughout New Zealand. And from kitchens all over the country came a steady supply of cakes, biscuits, jam and sweet treats. Homemade goodness for the troops and a reminder that they were in the hearts of those back home. Food items required particular care as faulty packaging invariably resulted in mould and general disappointment on arrival!

A failsafe fruitcake recipe containing no eggs, butter or milk became a popular choice, and airtight tins with soldered lids were the proven best packaging for baked goods. It was advised that parcels be firmly packed and not exceed 11lbs. A standard package size of 10×5 x5 inches was adopted.

Newspapers, frequently used as a buffer between items, also provided reading material for the recipient. The final outer covering for each package was a layer of strong linen, calico or canvas, securely sewn up. It was also recommended that parcel edges be padded to avoid damaging other parcels in transit. The recipient’s address was to be written on two sides of the outer fabric layer and as a backup, enclosed within the package along with the address of the sender.

Wooden crates were also used for packaging. Matakohe based farmer and renowned photographer George Gallie (1865-1951), avidly documented rural life in the region during the 1910s and 1920s. A substantial and historically significant collection of his original glass plates, donated by the Gallie family, are in the Kauri Museum collection. In the photograph above, Gallie captured Robert Drummond (1835-1924), of Hukatere, packing cakes, sweets and puddings into cases to send to WWI servicemen. The buggy shed that belonged to the Pheasant family, once located very near the museum, was used as a local packing shed during the war effort.

Three of Robert and Annie Drummond’s five sons – Alfred, Walter and Charles – were in active service during WWI. Too many lives were lost during this and subsequent wars and for the Drummonds, only Charles returned home due to injury sustained in active combat. Tragically, both Alfred and Walter were killed in action – Alfred in the Passchendaele campaign and Walter at the battle of the Somme. Lest We Forget.