120,000 tins were ordered from the three chocolate manufacturers, Cadbury, Fry and Rowntree and it was intended that all serving soldiers in South Africa at Christmas 1899 should receive one. An additional 3,000 tins were ordered in October 1900 to facilitate distribution to the defenders of Kimberley and Mafeking. The Queen had intended to restrict the issue to N.C.O.s and men but Officers did receive them and, in the case of those who died before receiving them, the tins were forwarded to widows or next of kin.