Vivien (in Canada, I believe) writes:

I was born in Hanley (near Tunstall), and have been enjoying those marvelous Oatcakes all my life. My father was told that the oatcakes' origins lie in British Colonial India. Apparently the Staffordshire lads who served in the military there noticed the local flat-bread (japaties), and tried to duplicate same when they returned home. They substituted some of the affordable ingredients on hand, and found these little beauties were grand fare to tuck into one's pocket before entering the mines (my grandfather was a Staffordshire coalminer). There's my 'story'; I hope it might be of some help to you. I would love to hear back, and appreciate being able to find your pages about Oatcakes- neat stuff!