A London Transport Christmas

This December, we've been looking through our collection to see how London Transport has celebrated Christmas over the years. Browse photos showing how staff and shelterers have celebrated the season Underground, posters spreading festive cheer all over the network and some of the quirky items from our collection!

Santa Claus delivering toys to children in hospital from Charing Cross Underground station exhibition (1931) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum

Christmas photos

Photographs from our collection show how Christmas was celebrated around London - from trees and decoration across the network to the festive treats available for staff. In this 1931 photo, you can see a staff member dressed as Father Christmas loading toys into an Underground delivery van outside Embankment station (then Charing Cross). The toys are from the British Made Toys Exhibition which was being held in the booking hall at Charing Cross Station, and were to be distributed to children's hospitals across London.

A Christmas Party in progress at the South Kensington Dining Club (1925) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum

This photo shows a group of people gathered at the South Kensington Dining Club for their Christmas party. This was part of a series of photographs recording the 1925 Christmas parties held over two days.

Christmas presents being packed for shelterers (1940) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum

Christmas at wartime

Although the war made everyday life difficult - with many Londoners sheltering in Underground stations - adults tried to keep things normal for children. In this photo, taken just before Christmas in 1940, you can see a woman putting toys for children who were sheltering in nearby deep level tube stations.

A shelterers' platform canteen at Christmas (1944-12-22) by Topical PressLondon Transport Museum

This photo shows one of the temporary canteens set up on Underground platforms to provide refreshments to shelterers. This example is at St Johns Wood station. To the right of the shot are bunk beds that shelterers used to sleep on.

Staff decorating the Christmas tree on an Underground station during the Second World War (1941) by Fox PhotosLondon Transport Museum

This photo from 1941 shows staff decorating a Christmas tree at an unidentified Underground station.

Christmas Card to staff serving in World War One, issued by staff of the West Ham Tramways, 1914, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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Greetings cards

These greeting cards were issued by the staff of the West Ham Tramways to staff serving in the First World War.

Christmas card issued by the staff of the West Ham Tramways and sent to staff serving in World War One, 1915, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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TOT Mutual Aid Xmas tin, given to company employees in the Services during the First World War (1916) by Underground Electric Railways of London Co. LtdLondon Transport Museum

During the First World War, many members of the Underground group staff joined up and served in the forces. This small presentation tin was given to serving company employees for Christmas 1916. On the outside is a portrait of Earl Kitchener, the Secretary of State for War.

Brass metal 'Princess Mary' type gift box issued to Charles Lee at Christmas, Dr Heinz Zinram, 1914, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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This Brass metal 'Princess Mary' type gift box was issued to Charles Lee - a bus driver at the Front - at Christmas 1914.

Food wrapper for a London Transport 1lb Christmas Pudding (1975) by London Transport CateringLondon Transport Museum

Festive food

From the late 1940s, all the food used in London Transport canteens and mess rooms was produced at the London Transport Food Production Centre. Staff could  also buy certain products including Christmas puddings!

2lb Christmas pudding label 4'6, issued by London Transport Catering (circa 1970) by London Transport ExecutiveLondon Transport Museum

This Christmas pudding is one of the items that London Transport staff could purchase from canteens. For many years, this pudding was the mainstay of London Transport's festive fare, but was discontinued in 1983 when the Croydon Food Production centre closed.

London Transport Catering staff stirring a Christmas pudding mixture (1971)London Transport Museum

The Christmas pudding mix was actually made in August! This photo from 1971 shows Edson Braithwaite, a doughmaker; Valerie Coppleston, a bakery assistant; and Aston Benjamin, a table hand stirring a huge vat of the mixture, while bakery manager Fred Lawrence pours sherry in!

A caterer at the Croydon food production centre prepares trays of mince pies (1970) by Sport & GeneralLondon Transport Museum

As well as puddings, the Food Production centre made other festive treats, including these mince pies that a staff member is preparing in this photo from 1970!

Christmas cracker from the Tenth Floor Carvery (1992) by London Transport CateringLondon Transport Museum

London Transport even made Christmas crackers! This one was issued as part of the Christmas catering services offered by the 10 Carvery restaurant, located on the tenth floor of 55 Broadway, the headquarters of London Transport.

Order form for Christmas Hampers, issued by London Transport Catering, London Transport Catering, 1969, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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This is an order form for the 1969 Christmas Hamper Scheme organised by the London Transport Catering Service. Staff could choose from three different hampers priced £4, £6 and £8 and pay over 48 weeks, starting in January and finishing the first week of December.

Order form for Christmas cakes and puddings, issued by London Transport Catering, London Transport Catering, 1973, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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Gift offers for Christmas, 1974, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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Christmas Hamper Scheme, London Transport Catering, 1974, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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A merry Christmas (1931) by Margaret Calkin and Dangerfield Printing Company LtdLondon Transport Museum

Christmas design

London Transport's Christmas posters are some of the most iconic and memorable from our collection. You can see our special Christmas poster story on our Arts & Culture page!

Rough design for a Christmas poster, John Fleming, 1946, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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These two artworks show John Fleming's early designs for a Christmas poster and image from 1946.

Rough design for Christmas image - roundel detail, John Fleming, 1946, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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London Transport wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Maurice Wilson, The Baynard Press, 1951, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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Posters allowed London Transport to wish its passengers Merry Christmas, as well as promoting use of public transport for Christmas shopping.

Xmas gifts travel by Underground to the shops, F Gregory Brown, Dangerfield Printing Company Ltd, 1921, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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Christmas shopping, 1929-1933, From the collection of: London Transport Museum
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Credits: Story

Find out more about our Christmas collections on our website.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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