The rums of this collection were blended and vatted by the Royal Navy then issued to the Royal Army Service Corps – R.A.S.C. – and its successor the Royal Army Ordnance Corps between 1953 and 1970. The R.A.S.C. and, after 1965 the R.A.O.C., were responsible for providing rations to the British Army.

Following the conclusion of the First World War, the British Army maintained an informal rum ration, issued at the discretion of commanders during harsh or hazardous service. The rums in this collection would have been issued to the British Army of the Rhine – B.A.O.R. – during the Cold War, and were primarily used during the winter months.

The Rums in this collection represent a fascinating convergence of British naval rum and interservice logistical requirements during the Cold War.