Letters relating to December 1914.

The Kaiser and Christmas.

Writing to his cousin, Lieutenant Thomas, of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was wounded in the throat and taken prisoner of war, says:  “You will, I expect, be surprised to hear that I am quite gay here in spite of everything. We have a Christmas tree, beautifully decorated, and last night every man got a lovely big parcel of apples, oranges, cakes, nuts, and cigars, I believe from the Kaiser. Some nurses came in and sang Christmas carols; then we had carols in French, Russian, and Polish; the French and German sounded very nice, but the Russian and Polish are awfully funny. I am enclosing the label that was on my parcel. It means “A Happy Christmas,” and it will do as a Christmas card to you. There was also a card with a verse from the Bible in English, something like our Christmas cards. I got two little penny novels from------ a few days ago; they were very welcome, and I have read them and passed them on to another Irishman who is here in another ward. I also sent him some cigars and a box of cigarettes, and he was overjoyed, as he had had no smoke since September, having no money, and heturns out to be Captain------‘s servant.   He has lost the use of. one arm completely, was wounded at Mons on 23rd August, four days before I was, and has been in the hospital since. Before I knew the Kaiser meant to treat us so well I expended, part of ------- ‘s in a bottle of wine (Rhine), some apples, nuts, and a small cake, so I have a good stock now. Today I made a German. Frenchman, Russian, and myself (English) drink each other’s health and wish the end of the war, and there was great fun over it. Lieutenant Thomas had his vocal chord injured, and could not speak until an operation had been performed by German doctors.

A Volunteers Experiences.

Driver Fred Thomas, of Belfast, who was a member of the South Belfast Regiment, Ulster Volunteer Force before being called up as a reservist of the Royal Field Artillery, describes to a friend his Christmas experience at the front! He writes:“We enjoyed our Christmas here very much indeed. Our major allowed each man three pints of beer. We had plum-pudding and plenty of tobacco, and gathering round the camp fire we had a ‘sing-song,’ and altogether we enjoyed the festive reunion as much us it was possible to do so in our unique surroundings on  the field of battle.” Adverting to his experiences from the time he first embarked with the Expeditionary Force, Driver Thomas would seem to have been in the thick of the fighting. He naively remarks, “Fortunately we have not been found out by the Germans yet. The guns are well concealed, but we are constantly in action. Occasionally we have very narrow escapes. Only the other day a shell burst beside us, but a house immediately in front of our position suffered, and we got off without a scratch.

I will never forget the night of the 18th of December. We made an attack all along the line and captured several trenches, but they were flooded. The weather is trying and a good many have been invalided home because of its severity, but everything considered we have had few casualties in our battery. We had two officers wounded as well as two gunners wounded, and one killed.” The letter concludes; “There are four Belfast chaps in my battery here. We are all Covenanters I have come across large numbers of Sir Edward Carson’s army also some of John Redmond’s. We are all doing our best for the flag.”

Determined to Win

A local officer of The Royal Irish Rifles, writes, “I hope you will forgive me for the delay in fulfilling my promise to write. Well, after enjoying a ripping good time at home for seven days, I arrived at the front once more. I thought myself extremely lucky in getting home for Christmas; but as a matter of fact the boys out here seem to have had even a better time.

Here is an account of Christmas Day’s proceedings, as told to me by a brother officer who was holding a line of trenches quite close to the Germans. At 7-30 a.m. on Christmas morning our artillery sounded reveille in the German lines by firing a salvo, which exploded in their trenches; the poor beggars must have had too much of it the previous day, for they did not return our salute. On seeing this, our gunners did not continue to bombard, but only fired on occasional shell just as a reminder. At 8-30 a.m., when it became quite light enough for the Germans to see our trenches, they started making friendly signals, which were answered by some of our men; some of our boys even went out and gave them tobacco and cigarettes, which on their own account they seemed in need of. Neither party ventured as far as each other’s trenches, all greetings being carried on mid­way.

If the people at home had just been able to see our Tommies boiling or frying their Christmas puddings for breakfast I am sure they would have considered it a novelty; as a matter of fact, a bit of plum pudding nicely fried with butter, even though it is done in a canteen lid, is a treat.

After having breakfasted on the nice things sent from home, the soldiers then looked for enjoyment, those in the trenches resorted to games of cards, and, according to my friend’s account, some of them were even amusing themselves by putting up bottles, the first one to break the bottle with a stone getting a prize, which had been prearranged. During the greater part of the day a thick fog enveloped the whole place, which also prevented fighting, thus maintaining peace, if not good will to men. As for those relieved from the trenches for a rest period they had a jolly good time. A splendid breakfast, prepared by the company cook; an excellent dinner at 1 p.m. Between breakfast and dinner, games of football, etc., in the evening, and far on into the night, concerts, everyone of talent contributing his little bit.

So in the midst of strenuous life, and with death apparent, our troops maintained a lively spirit, each one unconscious of what the morrow might bring, or the future hold; enough to realiae that the present is his, not to be sad in, but to thoroughly enjoy; and from the account of my friend, I can fully believe that all our men thoroughly enjoyed their Xmas, whether in the trenches or out of them.

Now that Christmas has passed, and a new year has opened up before us, everyone has settled down to their grim, dogged determination to fight to win. We may have lapsed into some of the ways of the people out here, but one thing British remains with every one of us, and that is determination to win. We have ceased to count the cost; if our country requires all of us to pay the price of success in sacrificing our lives, we are prepared to pay it; but we mean success, and we realise that without sacrifice there can be no material success. Almost six months have passed since I arrived at the seat of war; in that time I have experienced a great deal. I have had ample scope to develop in the study of human nature; I have watched the gradual change from surface enthusiasm and buoyancy of spirit, to a cool, calculating and grimly determinate mind; enthusiasm may partly have gone, but it has been replaced by something dearer to a Britisher, his duty to the nation.

The people of the north of Ireland have been very good to our regiment; they have simply lavished upon us every comfort necessary in the field, and for those comforts we are very grateful.

Football  Between The Trenches.

Germans Win By 3 Goals To 2.

Lieutenant Davis Williamson, Royal Field Artillery, writing on Christmas Day to his father, Mr. J. M. Williamson,

“There was a sort of truce arranged today (Christmas Day), our fellows and the Germans in front of them. Although the regiments to right and left kept firing spasmodically all day the others went across, and they and the Germans exchanged tobacco and talked and sauntered about between the two lines of trenches. It was the queerest sight in the world to see two lots of men who a few hours before were intent on killing each other (and will be again tomorrow) talking together as if they were the greatest friends in the world. They even arranged a football match, and since I started writing this letter a telephone message has come through to say that the Germans had won by three goals to two. We all had Christmas cards from the King and Queen this morning, and this afternoon each received a little box from Princess Mary, with tobacco, and pipe inside. It is very cold here now, but frosty. It is much better however, than the rain. Indeed, the country has a real Christmas look this morning with the hoar frost covering everything. We got shelled out of a farm we were occupying one day last week. They fired twenty-four large ‘coal-boxes’ at it, but only one did any damage. It went through the corner of a stable and exploded inside, wounding three horses, one of which had to he shot. It was the Colonel’s favourite charger, a very magnificent black animal, and he was very sorry about it.”

Letter from Private Thomas Dooley,

Private T. Dooley, who is on the Motor Transport Section, 7th Division, with the British Expeditionary Force, writes home this week, the following being an extract from his letter;

“My Dear Mother; -Very many thanks for all the parcels, which have come safely to hand. The first one arrived on Saturday, the second on Sunday, third on Monday, and the fourth on Tuesday. There is great excitement here every day over the post, as all the chaps are getting parcels. Give my thanks to------for their kindness in sending me a present. The weather here has been wretched nothing but rain and sleet, and we often wake up at night with a nice shower bath over our face. I see by the ‘Chronicle’ that the ladies of Newtownards are doing very well for the soldiers and sailors. I cut the cake tonight, and it is very nice! Chocolate and cake are a very nice change from the regular routine. I hope you got my cards, the only sort I could get as we are still in the one-eyed village, with one shop, but expect to move soon. When Lord Kitchener and General Joffre give the Kaisier his Christmas box, it will be on the ear. The Scarborough affair will waken the people up at home and do a lot of good for recruiting. If we only had enough men, we could eat the Germans up. I should like to be having my Xmas dinner with you, but, with a bit of luck I hope to next year. I saw a Motor Transport Company today on their way back to England for a furlough, lucky chaps. Let me know when any of the boys come out as I get round the country a good deal. I was coming down from the firing line one day and had a sergeant on board, and he met his brother going up who was in the artillery. With very best wishes for a Happy Xmas and a Prosperous New Year.”

December 23, 1914.

Lost - Found in Germany

In one of the recent issues we published the news that Rifleman William J. Shields, No. 8,568, had been reported as “missing.”

Considerable anxiety was expressed by his relatives as to his fate, and on the publication in the Press of his name as “officially missing” all hope that he might still be among the living seemed to be abandoned.

But Christmas time carries with it in more ways than one cheering news, and no better or more welcome Christmas card was received in Newtownards this year than that which was received by Mrs. Shields last week. It was in truth a card, a plain post card at that-but it brought more occasion for joy in the household than the prettiest and most artistic card that ever German firm produced.

The front of the card is stamped in the German language indicating that it has passed the censorship of the Commandant of the “lager,” or prison, where captured enemies of the forces of the Allies are imprisoned.    

The stamp on the card is defaced by the postmark, Munster (Welf), 21 : 12 : 14,—9—10 N., indicating that the card was posted there between the hours of 9 and 10 at night. On the same side is the address written in pencil, and in the left-hand space on the front of the card are pencilled the following words: “English Prisoner, Lager II., Munster i/w, Benn-bahn, Block II., Germany,” the address of Rifleman Shields at the present moment. There might be addresses which would impress one more with the suggestion of comfortable surroundings, but under the circumstances, we are sure that Rifleman Shields and his relatives will not be too particular, as long as he is still to the fore.

The postcard was received in London on Christmas Day and forwarded to its destination. . The comforting and reassuring message, which it conveyed to anxious folks at home, was penned in the following simple expressive yet hopeful, words: -

Dear Wife, - Just a few lines to tell you that I am well and getting on all right. I am in Germany, as I have been captured since 23rd October, but I hope to be home soon. Hoping you are well, with love, from your affectionate husband.

WILL.

We trust Rifleman Shield’s hope may be realised.                                  

The Christmas Truce.

Mrs. David Walshe, has just received a letter (delayed) from her son, Private Willie Walsh, R.I.R., who says: - “Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and kicking. If the rain would only stop away we would not mind the frost so much. We are up to the knees in mud in the trenches. We spent Christmas in peace and quiet. On Christmas Eve night the Germans put up lights on the top of their trenches as a greeting, and shouted over to us in English ‘A happy Christmas to you,’ and we responded by repeating the same. They then challenged us to send over one man half way, and they would do likewise, so I got out of our trench and walked over. I was met by a young German soldier, who shook hands with me, put his arms round my neck, and brought me right over to their trench. They came out, gathered round me like bees to shake hands and gave a cheer of joy. We exchanged greetings, after which they gave me a box of cigarettes, cigars, and some chocolate, and I gave them all my cigarettes. A German officer, probably thinking I was seeing too much of their trenches, approached and, shaking hands with me, wished me a happy Christmas, after which he said I must return. When parting he said, ‘I beg of you not to fire and we won’t.’ I promised that we would not. He gave me a German field postcard with his name and address. The translation is ‘In memento of Christmas, 1914-15: Alivin Obermeier, Petershagen, Westfallen (Weber).’ I then returned to our trenches, and as soon as the boys saw me they cheered for all they were worth. Not a shot was heard that night nor on Christmas Day. Both sides took their turn at singing the whole night through. Immediately after ‘Stand to arms’ a voice broke the silence by shouting ‘Good morning,’ and the German’s returned the compliment. The distance between us is only 200 yards. They walked about all day in front of the trenches, and we did the same. They would meet our fellows half-way, and have a chat and exchange things as mementos. They gave us what we call the ‘German brown bread.’ It is a brown colour wheaten bread. I had some of it, and it was all right. I asked one fellow how he liked the war, and he said he didn’t like it at all He expected it would be over soon. They looked very clean and well cared for. As soon as dusk drew near both sides returned to their trenches, singing, as fresh as ever, until the danger rocket was fired at twelve o’clock, when all resumed their old positions. We were again blazing away at each other as hard as ever.”

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