First World War Soldiers’ Christmas Biscuit Messages Revealed

Poignant wartime messages inscribed on biscuits uncovered in Leeds

Christmas messages written on biscuits by soldiers during the First World War have been uncovered and are now preserved in Leeds. These fragile biscuits, originally issued as emergency rations to servicemen, were often so unpalatable that soldiers used them as a medium to send messages home, especially at Christmas.

Historical context and significance

The biscuits date back to 1914 and provide a unique insight into the experiences of soldiers on the Western Front. One biscuit, still in its original wrapper and addressed to Mrs Maxwell of Meanwood, bears a message from Private William Maxwell. It reads: “Christmas dinner in the Army. ‘Give us this day our daily bread’ and please put a bit of butter on. From Max.”

Private Maxwell served with the 9th Queen’s Royal Lancers and was the son of G.E. and Margaret Maxwell. Tragically, he was killed in May 1915 and is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery in Northern France. Records indicate that his younger brother, Arthur Maxwell, also died in service in August 1914.

Another biscuit from the same period features a painted image of a battleship and carries the inscription: “Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a bright new year.” These biscuits reflect the common criticism of the quality of food provided to British troops during the war.

Curatorial insights

Kitty Ross, curator of social history at Leeds Museums and Galleries, commented on the significance of these items:

• They offer a real and thought-provoking insight into life in the trenches during the First World War.
• The use of biscuits for messages highlights both the poor quality of wartime rations and the soldiers’ desire to maintain contact with loved ones during the festive season.
• Preserving these stories helps revisit the sentiments of soldiers at Christmas over a century ago.

Additional festive artefacts in the collection

Alongside the biscuit messages, other festive items have been donated to Leeds Museums and Galleries. These include:

• A late 1960s Cutie doll, gifted to a child from a homeless family in 1969 as part of a local Christmas appeal. The doll carries the note “To Denise Xmas 1969, from mummy and dad.”
• A set of Mickey Mouse Christmas tree lights.
• Brightly coloured glass baubles manufactured by Morley’s Briteglass Ltd, owned by local couple Herbert and Maud Storer who married in 1944.

The doll and tree decorations are on display at Leeds City Museum during the Christmas period, while the biscuit messages can be viewed at Leeds Discovery Centre by appointment.

Access and further information

The Leeds Discovery Centre is open to the public for pre-booked tours. It operates as a “Give What You Can” museum, inviting visitors to donate if they are able. Donations can be made online when booking or in person at the centre’s reception.

For more details, visit Leeds Discovery Centre | Leeds Museums and Galleries.