The Origins of Christmas Gunfire – Rum, Coffee & Good Cheer in the Ranks

"Merry Christmas, lads, get that down your neck!"

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It’s 0600 hours, still dark, frost biting at your boots, and the unmistakable aroma of strong coffee and stronger rum is wafting through the barracks. It can mean only one thing: Christmas Gunfire.

If you’re new to military life, you might assume “gunfire” refers to some form of festive weapons training. But ask any old sweat, and they’ll tell you it’s something far more sacred: a warm, rum-laced coffee handed to you by your OC or RSM on Christmas morning. It’s part cheer, part tradition, part “how are we even allowed to do this?”, and it's one of the most beloved rituals in the British Armed Forces.

Let’s take a swing at the lantern (figuratively), and explore the brilliant, slightly boozy origins of Christmas Gunfire, a tradition that speaks to the heart of military camaraderie, festive irreverence, and the long-standing bond between rank and file.

So… What Is Christmas Gunfire?

In its simplest form, Christmas Gunfire is coffee mixed with a tot of rum, handed out by officers and senior NCOs to the troops, usually while they’re still rubbing the sleep from their eyes. It’s not just a caffeine hit with a side of rebellion, it’s a symbolic role reversal where those usually issuing the orders do the serving, showing a nod of appreciation and unity during the festive season.

It’s often delivered in mugs that still have cam cream residue from the week before. It’s not served on silver trays (unless someone’s really leaning into the pantomime). And it’s not fancy. But it is memorable. Because in that moment, hierarchy bends, just a little, and everyone shares in something equal: a slightly-too-strong coffee, a splash of Navy-style rum, and a shared smirk that says, "Here we go again."

The Origins of the Tradition

The exact origin of Christmas Gunfire is a little fuzzy, possibly because the earliest recipients were too merry to write it down, but it’s widely believed to date back to the 19th century, possibly earlier, in the British Army.

“Gunfire” was originally the name for a pre-dawn beverage of hot tea or coffee laced with rum, served before going into battle or embarking on a tough exercise. Think of it as a morale booster and liquid courage in a mug. Come Christmas, that tradition took a festive twist.

The story goes that officers began serving this drink to their soldiers on Christmas morning as a gesture of gratitude, respect, and seasonal goodwill. Over time, it became less about prepping for battle and more about celebrating unity. The rum may have stayed the same, but the gunfire became a lot more joyful.

Officers Playing Santa? Well… Sort Of

There’s something deliciously ironic about seeing a crisp, polished officer, or an RSM who normally glares people into next week, walk into the block and hand you a mug of alcohol at 6am with a grin and a wink.

On any other day, that mug would be confiscated.
Today? It’s tradition.

Christmas Gunfire is one of those rare moments when military formality takes a back seat. The officers and SNCOs aren’t just serving drinks, they’re tipping their hats to the troops, acknowledging the graft, the deployments, the missed Christmases past, and the ones still to come.

It’s a morale booster. A breaker of ice. A shared experience that reminds everyone, regardless of rank, that they’re part of something bigger than themselves.

Not Just the Army

While it may have originated in the Army, Christmas Gunfire has found its way into units across the UK Armed Forces. From squadrons in the RAF to ships in the Royal Navy, the tradition pops up in different flavours, sometimes tea, sometimes cocoa, often with whatever booze has been officially authorised (or creatively acquired).

In some regiments, it’s part of a bigger Christmas Day spectacle, platoon commanders serving breakfast, the OC doing the washing up, and a few brave souls donning festive headgear with varying degrees of dignity. Other units keep it simpler: a brew, a nod, and a hearty “Merry Christmas.”

Either way, the heart of it remains the same, recognition, ritual, and rum.

Is It Still Allowed?

Ah, the golden question. In a world of tightening regulations and risk assessments, it’s fair to ask whether doling out rum at dawn still flies.

The answer: kind of. Like all great traditions, it survives in a balance of official policy and unofficial charm. Some units keep it strictly symbolic, just a small tot or a nod to the practice with no alcohol involved. Others keep it low-key but alive, with a firm understanding that Gunfire is for the moment, not the mess after.

It’s all about context, common sense, and maintaining the spirit of the thing without turning Christmas into Carnage Club.

Why It Matters

In the grand scheme of things, Christmas Gunfire isn’t about the rum. It’s about connection. About pausing, if just for a moment, to acknowledge the human side of service life.

It reminds everyone—especially the young lads and lasses on their first Christmas away from home—that they’re part of a family now. A slightly dysfunctional one, sure, but one that looks after its own, celebrates its traditions, and doesn’t mind sharing a strong coffee at stupid o’clock on the 25th of December.

In a culture built on discipline, hierarchy, and precision, Christmas Gunfire is a beautiful little moment of levity and loyalty. And sometimes, a hot drink with a shot of rum is exactly what morale needs.

How to Make Christmas Gunfire (If You're Feeling Brave)

If you’re celebrating at home or on base and want to recreate the magic, here’s a tried-and-tested, no-nonsense recipe:

Ingredients:

• Strong black coffee (instant will do, but don’t tell the QM)
• A generous tot of dark rum (traditionally Navy-style, but a good tot of 5 and 20s is good)
• Sugar (optional, but encouraged)
• Mug (the older and more chipped, the better)

Method:

1. Brew your coffee.
2. Add rum. Stir with whatever’s clean.
3. Raise your mug, shout “Merry Christmas!”, and enjoy.

Optional Extras:

• Serve while wearing a paper crown from a cracker.
• Deliver it with a mock parade-ground voice.
• Follow up with a full English (or a cold sausage roll from the cookhouse—same thing, really).

Final Thought: The Spirit Behind the Spirit

As military traditions go, Christmas Gunfire might seem small. But it carries big weight. In those early morning moments, before the noise and chaos of the day kicks off, it reminds everyone of the camaraderie, the connection, and the small joys that make service life so uniquely special.

So, whether you’re the one handing out the mugs or the one bleary-eyed and grateful to receive one—embrace the tradition. Tell the stories. Toast the year gone by. And remember that sometimes, the smallest gestures make the biggest impact.

Merry Christmas, and pass the rum.

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