Every man who served remembers the food. Usually not fondly. It came out of a cookhouse hatch or a tin, somebody else decided what was in it, and you ate it because the next hot meal might be a long way off.

This video goes through exactly what was served, how it was made, what it tasted like and what the lads did to make it bearable. Some of it was better than anyone expects. Some of it became a running joke that followed a whole generation back to civvy street. And a few meals meant far more than what was on the tray, especially the ones served at Christmas a long way from home.

If you served, or you grew up hearing the stories, subscribe to Forgotten British Mess Hall.