Christmas in the Royal Navy
Just as at home the traditions surrounding Christmas in the Royal Navy start well in advance.
The Royal Navy whether in a shore establishment or at sea take part in this tradition.
Christmas Pudding
Chatham 1940
Customs vary slightly but normally include the Captain and the Youngest sailor both stirring the pudding. The pudding was always made on Stir-Up Sunday, the last Sunday before Advent. Royal Navy Christmas Puddings are also laced with Rum the traditional drink of the Royal Navy.
HMS Raliegh 2016
HMS Heron C1960s
"The Collect for the Sunday next before Advent, according to the Book Of Common Prayer, is as follows: “Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may by you be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” So the tradition stands that Stir-Up Sunday is the day to get stirring!" The Regulating branch and Royal Navy Police Association
Christmas Day
Christmas day was one of food, and often drink much like the average household back home. One tradition however was that the youngest member of the ship's company and the captain would reverse roles, with a junior rating taking charge.
"Christmas day would start with ‘gimpy gifts’ in the mess whereby everybody received a ‘present’ from their oppo. The gift would normally be an insult and would highlight any faults and inadequacies of the recipient!
On hearing the pipe ‘standby for Captain’s rounds’ the mess would muster and await the youngest sailor in his newly empowered guise. Lagging behind him would be the real skipper, in the role of Bosun’s mate, trying his best to blow the bosun’s call! After a beer and best wishes they would proceed to conduct rounds in the rest of the mess decks, no doubt a bit bleary eyed by the end. " Royal Navy Association - Norwich
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