British 24th Foot with Foot on Biscuit Box

Price: $48.00

20161

W. Britain

After the logistical catastrophe/national scandal of the Crimean War, Army dietary reforms were undertaken which focused on a high-energy diet. Unfortunately, it was one lacking in variety and mostly unappetizing. It was hardtack – and British soldiers despised the little all-but-inedible wafers. In fact, these sea biscuits were universally disliked by soldiers of many armies for hundreds of years. During Queen Victoria’s reign army hardtack was made by machine and stamped with the Queen’s mark and encased in sturdy wooden boxes. It is not known if the density of the flat and flavorless wafers added to the structural integrity of the aforementioned boxes but they made excellent defensive positions.