Shell on Christmas cake that defined 1899 Boer war truce now adorns MP museum

NAGPUR: When Boers in South Africa were at war with the British and laid siege to the garrison town of Ladysmith in 1899, there was an unexpected gesture from the Dutch-speaking raiders who were waiting in ambush.

An artillery shell flew from the Boer side into the town on Dec 27, but it wasn't mounted with a fuse to trigger an explosion, but with a plum cake and "Christmas Greetings" painted on it. The artillery shell which defined truce, now lies 7,500km off the Ladysmith battlefield, at Jabalpur, unknown to many. The Indian Army continues with the British tradition of holding the annual Ladysmith competition to mark the siege and end to Boer hostilities in the South African town.

Last week, a competition was held at the Army's central ammunition depot (CAD) in Pulgaon, 100km off Nagpur, and the home team bagged the medal, keeping alive the 125-year-old colonial ritual. The event also foregrounded the Ladysmith story. "The shell was brought to India by Major Mohan and presented as the Ladysmith trophy for a firing competition among ordnance units. This is the original one and its replica is used as a rolling trophy for firing competitions conducted every year," reads another note shared by the CAD Commandant, Brigadier Kaushlesh Panghal, after sourcing details from Army Ordnance Corps (AOC) Museum at Jabalpur, where the shell is kept for the past eight decades. Major Mohan brought the military relic to India from South Africa when artefacts were being collected from across the globe during British rule to build a museum at Jabalpur, said an AOC officer. Entry to the museum is restricted. The same museum has the American Gatling Gun - the oldest machine gun and the only surviving operational piece.

The US ambassador had once offered a blank cheque to get it back, only to be politely refused by India. TOI traced the history of the shell and the Ladysmith firing competition after the Pulgaon event on Oct 20 and 21. Since it landed at the ordnance field park, it turned into an annual celebration among the Royal Army Ordnance Corps of the British army. After independence, the AOC - which manages supply of ammunition to fighting units - holds an annual competition among its units.

A replica is mounted on a teak pedestal, on which a Union Jack has been framed with names of earlier winners etched on it, says the AOC note.


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