Ration, in the British Army, is the allowance of provisions granted to each officer on service and in some colonies, and to each non-commissioned officer and soldier at all times unless on furlough or otherwise specially provided for. The ordinary ration is lb. of meat, with 1 lb. of bread ('best seconds'), increased by lb. of meat when in camp or abroad. Sometimes a grocery ration (tea or coffee, sugar, salt, &c.) is also issued, 1½d. being then deducted from the pay of the recipient. When men are not supplied with bread and meat rations an allowance of 6d. per diem is granted them. The bread ration may be increased during operations in the field, though not above 1¼ lb. of bread or 1 lb. of biscuit, and the officer commanding may direct the issue in addition of wine, spirits, or any other article of subsistence equivalent thereto. The families of soldiers accompanying them abroad are allowed the following: the wife (married under regulations), half a ration; each legitimate child under fourteen, quarter ration. A ration of forage at home consists of 10 lb. of oats, 12 lb. of hay, and 8 lb. of straw for each horse. An extra 2 lb. of oats is allowed in camp. Staff-officers and mounted officers of infantry provide their own forage except on active service, and are granted a pecuniary allowance of about 1s. 7d. (varying with the locality) per day to enable them to do so.
The full navy ration consists of the following articles: Daily—1¼ lb. of ship-biscuit or 1½ lb. of soft bread, ½ pint of spirit, 2 oz. sugar, 1 oz. chocolate, ¼ oz. tea; 1 lb. fresh meat and ½ lb. of fresh vegetables, when these are procurable; otherwise, 1 lb. salt pork, with ½ pint split peas, or 1 lb. of salt beef, with 9 oz. flour, oz. suet, and 1½ oz. of currants or raisins. On alternate salt-beef days—2 oz. preserved potatoes. Weekly—¼ pint oatmeal, ½ oz. mustard, ¼ oz. pepper, ¼ pint vinegar. The sailor's ration is issued free of any stoppage.