Serving overseas, away from family and friends, is not easy. At times, such as Christmas, it's even more challenging. During the Second World War, Australian service personnel cherished letters and packages sent with love from home, including parcels of food and home comforts sent by the Red Cross.
Despite the restrictions of wartime, families at home cooked a range of Christmas treats, such as these traditional fruit mince pies, and items that would withstand the trip were often included in packages sent to the troops.
Christmas fruit mince pie
Shortcrust pastry cut to fit
1 ½ cups grated apple
2 ½ cups mixed dried fruit
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon mixed spice
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
½ teaspoon grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons sherry or brandy (optional)
A few chopped cherries, fresh or preserved
Preheat oven to 230 degrees Celsius. Combine ingredients and stand in a warm place for half an hour. Line a large pie-plate or 2 smaller dishes with half the pastry. Fill with the fruit mixture, brush pastry edges with a little milk, and cover pies with the remaining pastry.
Trim edges and decorate. Brush with milk or a syrup of sugar and water. Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce heat to 180 degrees and bake for another 20 minutes.
Letter extract
Dear Mother,
I hope you have had a fairly good Xmas, & that the coming year ill be a happy one for you, and I have great hopes that it will be for all of us... Our Xmas parcels did not get here, although we received word they have been sent. However, we had other parcels, & had quite a good feed, including a pudding made out of biscuits and fruit & stuff. The spirit in camp was very good, & it has been a good Xmas.
Cheerio Mother Dear - your loving son, Red
Letter written by prisoner of war Bombardier Herbert Huie Armstrong, 2/3rd Field Regiment, December 1944.