hot coffee/tea--why?

India 1944: A soldier drinking a cup of tea next to a Red Cross Mobile tea wagon at Calcutta airport.


CECIL BEATON PHOTOGRAPHS: GENERAL. © IWM (IB 1882)IWM Non Commercial Licence

 

Chindit Operations - General: Chindits making tea at their jungle bivouac.



THE CHINDITS. © IWM (IND 2289)IWM Non Commercial Licence

 

A Burmese family living in a dug-out share tea with a British soldier in Meiktila, 10 March 1945.

[SIZE=18.0001px][/SIZE]
[SIZE=18.0001px]THE BRITISH ARMY IN BURMA 1945. © IWM (SE 3302)IWM Non Commercial Licence[/SIZE]

 

Having never acquired the taste for Tea or Coffee, I live with the aghast responses of my countrymen every day.


Arrse - Cofftea


The 'Boiling Vessel, Electric', or 'BV'. I believe fitted in various versions into almost all British AFVs since Centurion. c.1 Gallon full capacity (sort of).

 

I think Fred nailed the biggest reason. All water is suspect, so boiled water is preferable to some water sitting in a Jerry can from gawd-knows-where. I also get the social aspect. It's a ritual. It's a rest. Boiling up some coffee or tea usually takes a couple of people and those making it get thanks from those drinking it, a bonding thing. Smokes (in those days) got passed around. You chat, re-arrange your gear, ask questions, get your jolt of caffeine and then resume whatever it is you're doing.

It's a reminder of civilization in the middle of a war.

 

good point, Kodiak...yes, a bit of much needed mental ''relaxation''....the coffee-tea thread more replies than my other war related threads.....?? figure that

 

in the desert , having tea , in WW1


Scene at a front line position on the Jebel Hamlin. Troops having tea are interested in an Arab and Turkish prisoner arguing

[SIZE=18.0001px][/SIZE]
[SIZE=18.0001px]MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION. © IWM (Q 24362)IWM Non Commercial Licence[/SIZE]

 

I'm using thread as an excuse to post pics from the IWM

A mobile tea canteen in the forward area, 31 July 1942
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[SIZE=18.0001px]THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA 1942. © IWM (E 15079)IWM Non Commercial Licence[/SIZE]

 

the perfect picture for the thread Owen..very well done...plus I enjoy checking every detail of the pictures, as in the one above..what's that say on front ..''tea car'' ??

 

certainly does.
allsorts here.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=ymca+tea+car&safe=off&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=643&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdvdSLpKzKAhVMwBQKHZsvCzwQ_AUIBigB

one donated by Honolulu



MOBILE CANTEENS AND THE NAVY. 24 OCTOBER 1941, ROSYTH. A TEA CAR OF THE AMERICAN TRAILER AMBULANCE WAS PRESENTED BY THE PEOPLE OF HONOLULU TO THE YMCA. THE TEA CAR WAS HANDED OVER BY ADMIRAL SIR E EVANS TO THE ASSOCIATION.. © IWM (A 6041)

 

maybe it's just the lighting but the first letters of ''American Trailer Ambulance'' cannot be seen....?? and it's a Tea Car...?? I see the sticker ''Tea revives you"'.........so it shipped from Honolulu to a cold climate??

 

probably painted in red same as the YMCA triangle

I hope Boston Ma donated a tea car too, it'd make up for 1773

 

When I read the Chieftain MBT had a tea brewer molded into the turret, or was it the hull, I decided the Brits were truly civilized. Made up for keelhauling ship's boys for misbehavior ! ..... I guess that took a tot of rum ?

Fine lads, what ?

BTW, I did not realize Jeff was bi-lingual, speaking flawless Alabamian as well as American English. Me, I am not quite fluent in either.

Gaines

 

If I drink coffee after midday then I lie wide awake in the middle of the night. Otherwise I have tea or water and never drink during a meal. I do not drink coke, pop (all fizzy drinks are called ginger in my neck of the woods) as they are either full of sugar or evil sweeteners. Kids nowadays gulp pop like water which I believe has contributed massively to obesity and Type 2 diabetes in the western world. Scottish/ Irish community still give kids weak milky tea with a little sugar - much better than pop. Home-made Iced tea or lemonade is great in a hot climate.

 

Thought this would go nicely on this forum.
soldier with the 2/7th Middlesex Regiment shares a cup of tea with an American infantryman in the Anzio bridgehead, 10 February 1944
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[SIZE=18.0001px]THE BRITISH ARMY IN ITALY 1944. © IWM (NA 11770)IWM Non Commercial Licence[/SIZE]

 

Owen, your WW2 photos are quite moving and appreciated. I would imagine a cup of tea or coffee would taste great after combat. That are the personification of camaraderie.

Gaines

 

Film footage of The King & Queen having a look at a YMCA tea van

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/ymca-tea-car-aka-y-m-c-a

 

Your right Gaines. As well as a sense of home and normality.

 

soda is called ginger?? also bad for the teeth..some drink more soda than water.....very bad for the body......if I drink coffee during the week, I can't sleep...when I drink it on the weekends, I still get sleepy at regular times...I would get decaf, but I'm not paying higher prices for that...

 

In civvie life any drama or stressful event can be helped with the words, ''I'll put the kettle on.''
A calming cuppa helps in all sorts of circumstances.