Art & Heritage Collections

Sir Cedric Stanton Hicks (1892-1976), Nutritionist and Physiologist, was Professor of Human Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Adelaide from 1926-58.

During World War II Hicks was appointed catering advisor to the Australian Army Catering Corps and the Defence Department's Scientific Advisory Committee. In 1943 he devised the first Australian Army ration pack that proved invaluable in sustaining Australian soldiers during the New Guinea campaign against the Japanese. Hicks' pack was designed to provide soldiers with as much variety as possible and supply all the essential vitamins and minerals.

Art & Heritage Collections hold a number of items related to Sir Stanton Hicks which includes personal effects and an example of the one-man operational ration pack. The University's Special Collections also houses a range of items including manuscripts and photographs.

Anna Rivett, Collections Officer, Art & Heritage Collections