WWII mince pies found floorboards on display for first time (Reports).
A tin of mince pies baked during World War II and later found under floorboards preserved in pristine condition has been put on display.
The pies — a British sweet pie filled with a mix of dried fruits and spices — were said to be a gift from a mother to her sailor son, according to the BBC.
The tin was found underneath floorboards of Loch Hotel in Douglas on the Isle of Man during a renovation project in 1998, but later forgotten in museum storage.
Found again recently, the pies were placed on display.
It’s believed that the air-tight conditions under the floor of the hotel likely led to the immaculate preservation.
The festive treats were sent to Able Seaman Phil Davis, along with a letter signed, “best, love from mum.”
Matthew Richardson, curator of social history for Manx National Heritage, said Christmastime was the “the right time for them to shine.”
Richardson said he thinks the pies might have been placed in the floorboards as a way to keep other soldiers from taking them.
“If you’re in a shared room with five or six other men you don’t know, the only way you could be sure of protecting what was yours was to find a place to hide it,” he said.
“This tin of mince pies illustrates the point that wars might be international events, but they impact at a very human level.”
