TOPIC:

Mike,

The chocolate tins were presented to widows and orphans of soldiers who had died in South Africa, during a Christmas dinner on 27th December 1902. Invitations were sent out to 1,545 guests (668 widows and 877 children). The dinner took place at the Alexandra Trust, Old Street, London.

39 widows and 42 children were unable to attend, and their gifts were forwarded to them. An article in the Yarmouth Independent (3rd January 1903) states that widows received boxes of chocolate, and orphans toys. Those involved in the organisation & execution of the dinner also received the chocolate tins. This suggests that roughly 700-800 tins were issued.

Neville




Dundee Courier, 27 December 1902



Leeds Mercury, 26 December 1902

More Royal Chocolate.

Chocolate is becoming quite a Royal gift, the late Queen having set an example which was followed during the Coronation by King Edward, and now by Queen Alexandra. Each of Her Majesty’s guests at the dinner on Saturday will receive a cake [of chocolate], enclosed in a neat tin box, the design of which follows closely those of previous distributions. Underneath a fine portrait of the Royal giver are the words, “Xmas, 1902, from Queen Alexandra”, and the colouring, of course, is red, white, and blue. Not only the boxes, but much of the chocolate, will in time become the treasured possession of souvenir hunters, for in the past the sentimentally inclined among the recipients would sooner dream of eating the boxes themselves rather than break up their dainty contents, and the same will doubtless be the case on Saturday.


Daily Telegraph, 29 December 1902

Invitations had been issued to the number of 1,545, but thirty-nine widows, with forty-one children, were unable to attend, so that the grand total of those present was 1,465, classified thus:

Corps	Widows	Children
Cavalry	85	111
Artillery	63	91
Royal Engineers	16	25
Infantry	365	438
Departmental Corps	81	133
Colonials	19	38
.	___	___
Present	629	836

Morning Post, 29 December 1902

Perhaps what each and all valued and cherished the most was the box of chocolate, with a medallion of Queen Alexandra in Coronation robes engraved on the lid. They can gaze on that in the after years and conjure up the memory of a happy and affecting incident in their lives.


Falkirk Herald, 31 December 1902

QUEEN’S 1,500 GUESTS.
MEMORABLE GATHERING IN LONDON.

Complete success attended the dinner given by the Queen in the dining-room of the Alexandra Trust, London, on Saturday, to 1,400 or 1,500 widows and children of men who fell during the South African War.
The scene in the various halls was a most striking one. Everywhere was a lavish display of bright-coloured flags, and the rows of tables were covered with spotless linen and laid with an imposing array of glass and cutlery. In each of the places lay an envelope bearing the words, “To Her Majesty’s Guests”, and containing a New Year’s card with the greeting, “May the New Year bring comfort and happiness to you”. Beside every knife and fork a handsome menu card rested upright against a box of chocolate. The bright colours of daffodils, heath, and ferns alternated with choice oranges, apples, grapes, and bananas. The menu card already alluded to was as follows: –




Yarmouth Independent, 3 January 1903

At the conclusion of the feast each child was presented with a toy, and each guest received a box of chocolate. The sweetmeat was encased in a prettily designed box, on the lid of which was a portrait of her Majesty, surmounted by a crown, and with the wording underneath in gold letters: – “Christmas, 1902. From Queen Alexandra”.

....... The Queen’s wish being that those widows and children who were prevented by illness or other causes from being present at the dinner should have a souvenir of the occasion, arrangements were made to send to each a copy of the souvenir invitation card, with an illustrated menu card and a box of chocolate, while a toy will be sent to each of the children. It has also been arranged in accordance with Her Majesty’s wish to give souvenirs to each of the helpers, who so ably assisted towards the success of the dinner.



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Thank You Neville for your information..... Some would therefore call it rare but I will say not very common..... Thanks again...…. Mike

In terms of production numbers: 800 opposed to the 2,100+ of the 1st & 2nd Bn. Devonshire Regiment Xmas 1901 tins. But a larger percentage of the Alexandra tins will have survived - a short trip home, safely tucked away in a pocket, hardly compares with the hazards of 5 more months of gruelling active service!

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Complete, with contents:



Neville

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Great Box Neville especially with the contents, Thanks for showing....... Mike