British confectionery giant Cadbury is releasing a new chocolate bar to commemorate its staff who fought in World War I. Here is their story...
‘Chocolate soldiers’: the fascinating story of Cadbury during WW1
Brought to you by
Chas Newkey-Burden
22 October 2018
The Telegraph
One century ago every employee of Cadbury was involved in the war effort, whether on the front line or on the home front. Here’s the patriotic story that the special bar commemorates
As the First World War broke out, Cadbury made two remarkable undertakings to its staff. First, each worker would be allowed to follow their conscience and to do what they felt to be their duty to their country. Second, all soldiers would be able to return to their former positions at the end of the war. These were enlightened, progressive positions to take.
The video above gives an insight into the experiences of the “chocolate soldiers” who left Cadbury to serve their country – and how the workers who stayed behind did their part for the war effort too.
Duty calls: everyone played their part during the First World War
The voices of the First World War soldiers in the video are provided by modern-day veterans Tip Cullen, Darren Swift and Graham Limb. They’re part of the Royal British Legion’s “Thank You” project to mark the centenary of the war’s end by raising money for armed forces veterans and their families.
This is why Cadbury has created the special-edition Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar. Sold in special First World War packaging, 30p from each bar goes towards the Legion’s “Thank You” movement.
What is the story of Cadbury and the First World War?
Founded 90 years before the war, Cadbury was a progressive company from the start. By the 1870s the fast-growing firm had needed a new factory and, rather than squeeze into the smoky industrial quarter of Birmingham, George Cadbury built “Bournville” in the pleasant countryside nearby, which provided housing, swimming pools, heated dressing rooms, kitchens, gardens and vast sports fields. In 1906, Cadbury was one of the first companies in the country to offer a contributory pension fund.
These values shaped Cadbury’s approach to the First World War. As well as holding jobs open and encouraging all staff to “do your duty, whatever it may be”, the company helped dependents of those serving by supplementing government allowances and paying pension contributions.
Some 2,148 Cadbury workers joined His Majesty’s Forces; just 1,511 returned. Of the 141 who returned with injuries or disabilities, 45 were unable to perform their old duties. Some of these were given new roles; others were given training so they could take up new, special occupations. Where necessary, they were given convalescent home treatment.
War would also change the lives of the company’s female workforce. Some took over the positions that absent men had been performing, starting completely new roles overnight. Others volunteered as nurses, in convalescent homes set up by Cadbury. Many worked to directly support the soldiers by sending out almost 30,000 care packages containing not just chocolate, but books and warm clothing that they had knitted and sewed themselves.
They were received gleefully. Private E Brookes wrote back to Cadbury, saying that the books allowed him to “concentrate my mind on the story, to the exclusion of such trifles as saturated, muddy clothes, a leaky shelter and bursting shells”. He described the chocolate as “indeed meat and drink to me”. Another grateful correspondent writing back to Cadbury said: “The chocolate came just as we were going into the trenches, so you can see how much it was appreciated.”
With the Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar, Cadbury’s support for our armed forces continues to this day.
What is the Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar?
The Cadbury Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar will raise funds to support the British Armed Forces, veterans and their families. It’s part of Cadbury’s year-long partnership with the Royal British Legion’s “Thank You” movement, which marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. Together, Cadbury and the Legion are telling the stories of those who served, sacrificed and changed our world.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-an...db78f6&mvp=NA-TELEDESK-11238861&mvl=Size-1x1+[Multi+creative+-+3rd+Rail+-+1x1]
‘Chocolate soldiers’: the fascinating story of Cadbury during WW1
Brought to you by
Chas Newkey-Burden
22 October 2018
The Telegraph
One century ago every employee of Cadbury was involved in the war effort, whether on the front line or on the home front. Here’s the patriotic story that the special bar commemorates
As the First World War broke out, Cadbury made two remarkable undertakings to its staff. First, each worker would be allowed to follow their conscience and to do what they felt to be their duty to their country. Second, all soldiers would be able to return to their former positions at the end of the war. These were enlightened, progressive positions to take.
The video above gives an insight into the experiences of the “chocolate soldiers” who left Cadbury to serve their country – and how the workers who stayed behind did their part for the war effort too.
Duty calls: everyone played their part during the First World War
The voices of the First World War soldiers in the video are provided by modern-day veterans Tip Cullen, Darren Swift and Graham Limb. They’re part of the Royal British Legion’s “Thank You” project to mark the centenary of the war’s end by raising money for armed forces veterans and their families.
This is why Cadbury has created the special-edition Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar. Sold in special First World War packaging, 30p from each bar goes towards the Legion’s “Thank You” movement.
What is the story of Cadbury and the First World War?
Founded 90 years before the war, Cadbury was a progressive company from the start. By the 1870s the fast-growing firm had needed a new factory and, rather than squeeze into the smoky industrial quarter of Birmingham, George Cadbury built “Bournville” in the pleasant countryside nearby, which provided housing, swimming pools, heated dressing rooms, kitchens, gardens and vast sports fields. In 1906, Cadbury was one of the first companies in the country to offer a contributory pension fund.
These values shaped Cadbury’s approach to the First World War. As well as holding jobs open and encouraging all staff to “do your duty, whatever it may be”, the company helped dependents of those serving by supplementing government allowances and paying pension contributions.
Some 2,148 Cadbury workers joined His Majesty’s Forces; just 1,511 returned. Of the 141 who returned with injuries or disabilities, 45 were unable to perform their old duties. Some of these were given new roles; others were given training so they could take up new, special occupations. Where necessary, they were given convalescent home treatment.
War would also change the lives of the company’s female workforce. Some took over the positions that absent men had been performing, starting completely new roles overnight. Others volunteered as nurses, in convalescent homes set up by Cadbury. Many worked to directly support the soldiers by sending out almost 30,000 care packages containing not just chocolate, but books and warm clothing that they had knitted and sewed themselves.
They were received gleefully. Private E Brookes wrote back to Cadbury, saying that the books allowed him to “concentrate my mind on the story, to the exclusion of such trifles as saturated, muddy clothes, a leaky shelter and bursting shells”. He described the chocolate as “indeed meat and drink to me”. Another grateful correspondent writing back to Cadbury said: “The chocolate came just as we were going into the trenches, so you can see how much it was appreciated.”
With the Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar, Cadbury’s support for our armed forces continues to this day.
What is the Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar?
The Cadbury Dairy Milk Remembrance Bar will raise funds to support the British Armed Forces, veterans and their families. It’s part of Cadbury’s year-long partnership with the Royal British Legion’s “Thank You” movement, which marks 100 years since the end of the First World War. Together, Cadbury and the Legion are telling the stories of those who served, sacrificed and changed our world.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/food-an...db78f6&mvp=NA-TELEDESK-11238861&mvl=Size-1x1+[Multi+creative+-+3rd+Rail+-+1x1]