Diary entries from December 23-25 1914
Christmas Day. Not one shot was fired. English & German soldiers intermingled & exchanged Souvenirs. Germans very eager to exchange almost anything for our “Bully Beef” & Jam. Majority of them knew French fluently. A few men of the Regiment assisted in burying the Dead of the Somerset Light Infantry who were killed on 19.12.1914. Fine frosty day. Very cold.
God bless all the fallen Soldiers of all wars
the speech reader has an error – it says the men of the infantry were killed on 19th dec 2014
Dear Arlene,
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. I have modified the text so it now reads 1914. I hope you continue to enjoy Beck’s story.
Best wishes,
Cassandra, Dorset History Centre
Very interested to see documentary evidence of the Christmas truce – an event that seems to have been overhyped by current television advertising. Note that slightly wary feel to Beck’s reporting here.