Leave Or Duty Ration Book

War-time rationing

This Leave Or Duty Ration Book is evidence of the impact of the First World War (1914-19) on everyday life in Britain. While rationing was not necesary or implemented in New Zealand during the war, it was part of the civilian experience 'at Home', in Great Britain. Rationing was also extended to Dominion and Imperial servicemen in Britain while they were on leave there.

This Leave Or Duty Ration Book was issued to Corporal James Shepherd of the Otago Mounted Rifles in February 1919 when he was based at Sling Camp, United Kingdom. Sling Camp was the largest New Zealand base in Britain during the First World War.

One million copies of this ration book were printed in December 1918 - indicating the vast machinery of provisioning the soldiers and sailors of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force who were waiting in the United Kingdom to be discharged and sent home at the end of the war.

Soldiers and sailors used these ration books while on duty or leave. Similar to the civilian rationing system in place in the United Kingdom since 1918, the coupons covered basic commodities such as meat, tea, lard, cheese, jam, butter and margarine. The plentiful vegetable gardens of Sling Camp helped supplement their diet.

James Shepherd (1891-1973)

James Shepherd was a farm labourer in Canterbury when he enlisted in February 1915. He began as a trooper with the Canterbury Mounted Rifles, and went to Gallipoli with the 5th Reinforcements. He then served on the Western Front, returning home in March 1919 when the New Zealand Division was disbanded. His total service was 4 years, 114 days.

Twice in his life he experienced rationing because of war. By the Second World War (1939-45), he had a farm near Hunter, Waimate, South Canterbury. He, his wife, young son and daughter, were all issued with civilian ration books during the Second World War.