Bun sent to soldier 100 years ago found in perfect shape

A Chelsea bun sent to a soldier at the Battle of the Somme 100 years ago has been found. Stale, but in perfect shape, the Mirror reported.

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The sweet treat had been mailed to Private Alex Hodges by his sister, Lily Poston. But the package never reached Hodges because he was wounded by a shell during the battle in France and was transported to a London hospital to recover.

The uncooked Chelsea bun, made by the soldier's favorite baker, was returned to Poton, who kept it for decades.

It was recently found by 84-year-old Hazel Hodges, the soldier’s daughter who lives in Leominster, Herefordshire.

“Lily knew my father was extremely fond of Chelsea buns from Mrs. Pewtree’s bakery in the town so she put one in a care parcel and sent it to the front,” Hazel told the Mirror. “But my father had moved on by the time it arrived and so it came back to her address in the same little brown box.

“She kept it on the sideboard in her house until her death. I inherited the box but never knew what was in it. I opened it out of curiosity and found the bun inside.”

The Chelsea bun was first created during the 18th century at the Chelsea Bun-House. The bun is made from rich yeast dough, flavored with lemon peel, cinnamon or mixed spice.

The Battle of the Somme was fought from July 1 to Nov. 18, 1916. It was the largest battle on the Western Front during World War I. More than 1 million men were killed or wounded during the campaign.

Alex Hodges, who fought with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry during World War I, was discharged after recovering from his wounds. He died in 1979.

Hazel said the bun, which she has donated to the town’s museum, serves as a permanent reminder of her father.

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