Australian Army Museum of Western Australia > Records

Anzac Christmas Billie 1915

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Overview

In Australian slang, a "billie" refers to a metal container, typically with a wire handle, that is used for boiling water over a campfire or open flame. It's commonly used to make tea or coffee while camping or in outdoor settings. The term is derived from the original name "billy can" or "billy tin," and over time, it has been shortened to just "billie."
As part of a volunteer program to provide comforts to soldiers overseas, “Christmas Billies” were initiated. The logistics of packing and distributing Christmas billies was handled by the Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) and the Red Cross An estimated 50,000 billies were packed in Australia or London and then transported to Anzacs in Egypt and the islands of Lemnos and Imbros of Gallipoli.

Historical information

Most of the sourcing and packing of the Anzac Christmas hampers was done by female volunteers. Christmas Billies were filled with various items to provide comfort and holiday cheer to the soldiers during the Christmas season. The contents of these billies varied, but they often included items such as tinned food, biscuits, chocolate, canned fruits, condensed milk, and other non-perishable edibles. Cigarettes, tobacco pouches, and matches and personal care Items including soap, shaving equipment, toothbrushes were also appreciated. Socks and hand-knitted items like scarves and mittens were much appreciated. Sauces were coveted because they added flavour and variety to the otherwise salty, monotonous bully beef. Sometimes the men traded or bought curry powder from the Indians stationed nearby, but longed for the more familiar Worcester or tomato sauce.
Christmas billies were a way for families and communities to show their support for the soldiers and to provide them with some comforts and reminders of home during the difficult times of war.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-32-99-729

Contextual Information

The Australian Army Museum of WA does not have an original 1915 Christmas Billie. Replica billies are displayed in World War 1 dioramas. The Museum does display eucalyptus leaves and related souvenirs sent to soldiers. Eucalyptus leaves were placed in camp fires with the scent being a reminder of Australia.

Australian Army Museum of Western Australia

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