Spreading Christmas cheer during the Boer War

It is 119 years old and is thought to be one of the oldest Christmas puddings in the world.

But the story of how a plum pudding from the Boer War ended up in the National Collection at the Australian War Memorial is a remarkable one.

The traditional tinned pudding was sent to British troops serving in South Africa to help them celebrate Christmas 1901.

The pudding belonged to Trooper Thomas Ashford of the 2nd New South Wales Mounted Rifles. He was one of about 16,000 Australians who sailed for South Africa between 1899 and 1902 to support British troops during the Boer War. 

The colonial troops were valued for their ability to shoot and ride, but conditions for both soldiers and horses were harsh.  Temperatures on the veld ranged from relentless heat during the day to freezing cold at night. The men spent long periods in the saddle with few opportunities to bathe or change their clothes. Lice were a constant problem, and food was basic at best.

At Christmas, the soldiers’ rations were bolstered with a traditional plum pudding from Crosse & Blackwell. While his fellow troopers enjoyed their Christmas treat, Trooper Ashford carefully saved his and brought it home.

The circular tin still contains its original contents, with the instructions: “This pudding is cooked. Can be eaten cold or made hot by boiling before opening for about 1 hour.”

Memorial curator Dr Kerry Neale said the pudding was the only one of its kind in the Memorial’s collection.

“It’s almost 120 years old, and that’s a significant age for any food stuff to survive,” Dr Neale said. 

“The fact that Trooper Ashford brought it back home, and then he kept it in the family for another 50 years before donating it to the Memorial … it’s pretty significant. 

“It was sent out as a gift to those soldiers who were serving on the veld, and for whatever reason – we don’t know why – Trooper Thomas Ashford decided not to eat his pudding, but to bring it all the way back with him to Australia.

“He was actually born in the United Kingdom, and came to Australia, where he married an Australian woman and had five children.

“He enlisted, and set out in March 1901, and returned to Australia in June 1902.

“He then spent the rest of his life in Waverley, New South Wales, which is where he would have had the Christmas pudding, tucked away in the pantry.”

It was donated to the Memorial, shortly before his death, in the 1950s. It still bears the manufacturer’s wrapper, decorated with holly wreath.

The pudding was placed on display and was seen by thousands of visitors, including the Royal family.

It has since been removed from display for conservation purposes, but remains an important part of the Memorial’s collection.

“It was not only a treat in terms of something to eat, it was also a bit of recognition; a reminder that people at home, and the Royal family, were thinking of these men out there on the veld,” Dr Neale said.

“South Africa was a world away, and it would have taken a lot of effort to put these care packages together, and then send them over. It was a symbol to say, ‘We’re thinking of you,’ and acknowledged that these men and women were far from loved ones and the safety of home at Christmas time.

“The practise of sending Christmas gifts to deployed troops is a tradition that continues through to today.”