A story of connection: Overseas parcels, from Edmonton to the United Kingdom, 1930 to 2000, by Phyllis Ellis

When I was born in 1930, most of our friends and neighbours were of British ancestry. Therefore, during the war, almost everyone we knew mailed overseas parcels to relatives whose food was so severely rationed.


Now I want to clarify and emphasize that these “overseas parcels” were NOT “care packages”, a name which was coined after the war had ended to signify the relief packages which went to refugees in war-ravaged countries.


Overseas parcels had size restrictions and could weigh up to five pounds (including the wrapping) and not an ounce more. Since these regulations were strictly adhered to, planning was required to include as much as possible without exceeding the limitations.


My parents sent one parcel each month to the various family members, following a roster system, but at Christmastime each family was sent one.


Various items which were difficult or impossible to procure in England were included in the parcels: tins of salmon, butter, sausages, packets of tea, cocoa, powdered eggs and milk, sugar, etc. The items were packed as tightly as possible so that unnecessary packing wouldn’t add to the weight. I remember a pair of new panties being used in one parcel and a pair of men’s socks in another to fill a space and stop a rattle. The box was sealed and sewn in muslin so it wouldn’t come apart. Strong string was tied around the parcel, dividing it into four sections, and was finished on both sides with the return address in the top left corner, postage stamps in the upper right corner (required on one side only), the Declaration Form in the lower left section and the lower right for the address of the recipient.


Then, down to the main post office which stood on the present site of the Westin Hotel where the post office clock still shows the time although not in the beautiful clock tower it once occupied.


On one particular visit, the parcel was two ounces overweight so it had to come home to be re-packed. We had only a small inaccurate home scale so thereafter my mother would take the box, contents, wrapping and string to be weighed before sewing it together.


Occasionally the parcels didn’t reach their destination due to ships being torpedoed and sunk, but those that did arrive were much appreciated. On a visit to England I was told by a relative that these parcels saved their lives - an exaggeration, of course - which would have pleased my parents to know.


Despite the shortages in England, I once received a small tin of Riley’s English Toffee for Christmas from my two aunts. The tin was oval, had a Dickensian Christmas scene on it and bore a sticker which read “If you get this tin safely, give thanks to the British navy.”


I used this tin as a button box until the year 2000 when I wrote to the British War Museum to enquire whether they would be interested in having it. Their prompt reply stated they had never seen such an item and would be delighted to have it in their collection. Upon receipt they sent me a very appreciative letter of thanks and comments on the tin. I hope to visit there some day and, perhaps, will see my tin among the other memorabilia.