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Bournville, Birmingham: Chocolate for Troops

How Cadbury’s continued to prosper throughout WW1

Cadburys in Bournville is the home of Dairy Milk chocolate. Throughout World War One, the government put in huge orders of chocolate to send to the troops.

Cadburys itself sent out 20,000 parcels to its staff serving on the front line and also to the injured.

The firm received hundreds of letters of thanks: β€œI received it in the trenches on Christmas Day, where I was up to my neck in water. I soon found time to get out of it quick to see what was waiting for me.”

Early on in the war Cadburys continued to create new brands of chocolate: in 1915, Milk Tray was produced.

But by 1917 the factory started to feel the impact of rationing: sugar quotas fell by 50 per cent which resulted in the company making block chocolates instead of luxury chocolates; and because of a shortage of milk it had to abandon making Dairy Milk till the end of the war.

It also had to diversify; making biscuits, dried vegetables and fruit pulp.

Unlike many other firms; Cadburys has always employed men and women and this continued during and after the war.

Location: Cadbury World, Linden Road, Bournville, Birmingham B30 2LU
Image: Cadburys gift tin made in 1916

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