The ‘Comfort’ of Soap

Australian soldiers in World War II used soap as part of their personal hygiene routine. Maintaining hygiene was a significant aspect of military life to prevent illness and infection.

The Australian Comforts Fund (ACF) was established to provide ‘comfort’ items to Australian servicemen, included soap. These items were not supplied by the military.

The ACF provided various items such as singlets, socks, pyjamas, cigarettes and tobacco, razor blades, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and reading material. The ACF relied on fundraising and donations to supply these items.

They raised funds through various activities such as door knock appeals, fetes, and button days.

In New Guinea our soldiers had to combat malaria, dysentery, scrub typhus, crocodiles, snakes, spiders, leeches, lice, mosquitoes, flies, rotting fungus, dampness, and mold, sweltering heat and bone-chilling cold.

Due to food shortages, some soldiers resorted to eating grass, leaves, and tree pith.

There are accounts of Australian troops consuming the flesh of their fallen comrades out of desperation.

On the Kokoda Trail, Australian troops faced intense combat against the Japanese.

In one instance, 77 men of B Company, 39th Battalion defended an escarpment against a Japanese attack.

The fighting was brutal, with hand-to-hand combat using bayonets, rifle butts, and fists.

Lest We Forget