Victory V

Very hard-paste, very strong-tasting, brown cough lozenge of distinctive rectangular shape with cut-off corners. Devised by Thomas Fryer and Dr Edward Smith of Nelson, Lancashire, in the mid 19th Century. The original formulation included liquorice, ether and 'Chlorodyne' - a mixture of opium, cannabis, alcohol and chloroform. They were extremely popular. (Fryer's were also involved in the development of Jelly Babies)

Today they are manufactured by Ernest Jackson & Co Ltd in Devon and, sadly, no longer include the more vigorous ingredients.


Early Victory-V Tin
Image: Owaka Museum Wahi Kahuika, New Zealand


Nottingham Evening Post - Monday 28 February 1944


The Victory V Factory, date unknown
Image: http://www.lancashire.gov.uk