World War One

Christmas Truce recorded in WW1 diary

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The Christmas Truce of 1914 has passed now almost into legend. Great armies engaged on the Western Front in the bloodiest of all wars called a ceasefire and instead came together in a spirit of peace to exchange gifts, play football and sing carols. Diaries held at Dorset History Centre provide a first-hand account of… Read more Christmas Truce recorded in WW1 diary

Dorset Regiments on the first day on the Somme

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The name of ‘the Somme’ remains a highly-charged and hugely evocative one. The first day on the Somme saw almost 60,000 British casualties and almost 20,000 men killed. Conceived out of the failure of 1915’s autumn offensives, and pulled forward due to the French struggles at Verdun, the battle was not one the British Generals… Read more Dorset Regiments on the first day on the Somme