Carton of 'Horse Shit Cigarettes', 1939-1945 (c)

Soldiers collect items that appeal to their sense of humour. Sergeant Edward Alfred Bickle, who served with the Royal Fusiliers between 1939 and 1945 collected these during his service in World War Two (1939-1945).

This spoof 'Navy Cut' cigarette carton claims the cigarettes are 'Roasted by Hand when Moist and Steaming', and 'Guaranteed Manufactured from the Very Choicest Horse Shit from Only Contented Horses. Free from Piles and Clinkers etc…' The packet is printed with the phrases, '"20 Shit Hot Cigarettes"', and '"Not a Fart in a Cartload"'.

Cigarettes were a mainstay of the British Army in both World Wars and were readily available both as ration issue and from the NAAFI stores, but the quality varied. The Victory V brand - made in India and issued mainly in India and to soldiers in the North African and Mediterranean theatres, are remembered by some soldiers as offering a particularly unpleasant smoke.