Today we have a small round metal tin to look at, that originally contained powdered milk:

As can be seen, the words ‘Milk Powder’ and a date of 1944 are impressed into the metal along with the letters ‘MB’ and ‘C’. I believe these indicate that the tine was made by Metal Box Company in Calcutta. The same initial are stamped into the bottom of the tin:

The tin has a tightly fitting lid to keep the contents dry:

It as been suggested that the tin would be from the rations known as ‘Field Service Ration Scale (for cooking) British and Indian Troops’ as an alternative to tinned milk. The ‘Operational Ration for Indian Troops’ specified that Indian troops were to receive 3/4 oz. of skimmed milk powder daily, 1/4 oz. for breakfast, dinner and supper, which was equivalent to three pints of fresh milk. This was part of a daily ration scale made up of:

• 8oz. Fish items
• 8 oz. Brown rice
• 5 1/4 oz. Biscuit
• 3 oz. Chocolate
• 3 3/8 oz. Fruit and Cereal block
• 3 oz. Wheat lunch block
• 1 1/2 oz. Peanut Butter
• 2 oz. Potato Powder
• 1/2 oz. Curry Powder
• 3 oz. Barley Sugar
• 1/2 oz. Fruit tablets
• 1 1/2 oz. sugar tablets
• 1/4 oz. Tea
• 3/4 oz. Salt Tablets
• 3/4 oz. Skimmed milk powder