In this second part of a two-part rations feature we look back at the UK 24-Hour Operational Ration Pack (ORP) issued at the start of the 21st Century, writes Bob Morrison.
Continued: To all intents and purposes, other than the freeze-dried or boil-in-the-bag alternatives, there is very little content difference between the Patrol and Vegetarian ORP versions issued circa. late 2001; other than, of course, the lack of meat products in the latter. In addition to the three meal pouches, each carton contained three biscuit packs and two chocolate bars, a soup sachet requiring 300ml of water to reconstitute, a tin of pâté for spreading on the biscuits, boiled sweets, various beverage powders plus sugar sachets, sterilising tablets, chewing gum, windproof matches and a pack of tissues.
No spoon was included as it was expected that each soldier would carry their own cutlery set, along with their mess tins and water canteens, but today the very real threat of D&V (diarrhoea & vomiting) bugs putting an operational unit out of action have seen the introduction of disposable spoons and anti-bacterial wipes in ration packs. As can be seen, other than the main meals there was very little variety so these days the likes of BISCUITS BROWN (it is said they could be used to stone the enemy if you ran out of hand grenades) have been replaced by less boring and more nutritious cereal bars and high energy bars.
From left: Apple With Custard dessert, Chicken Balti dinner and Hot Cereal Start breakfast from Patrol ration [©BM]

Upturned Vegetarian rations tipped out – Main Meal and Desert retort pouches at bottom and top of stack [©BM]
In follow-on articles in this section I will endeavour bring the UK Ration Pack story forward until we reach the present day.
{{{ images © Bob Morrison }}}

Patrols version has three types of biscuit and two chocolate bars – only the Duncan’s Raisin & Cereal was a commercial item [©BM]
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