Nobody could have predicted how long the First World War was to last, men and women spending months and sometimes years away from their families. Missing the birth of children, their birthdays and of course Christmas.Sympathising with their plight, Princess Mary (daughter of George V) suggested that a gift should be sent to all those fighting, this was embraced and duly organised, starting with those on the front line in France. The gift, a brass monogrammed box containing various items, but mainly tobacco, cigarettes and chocolate and also included a Christmas card with a picture of the beautiful princess.This was obviously an attempt to raise spirits over the festive period, but nothing could have prepared anyone for what was about to happen.
In an almost mystical way an unwritten ceasefire was created up and down the western front, not a shot was fired for almost two days. Slowly a confidence grew and men would appear from the ridges of the trenches, collecting the bodies from no mans land of those that had gone before, not long after the men of both sides began to exchange words, mostly about the conditions.Soldiers and their officers were soon exchanging cigarettes and showing photos of loved ones, a football game also broke out, (ironic really when you consider we have played Germany many times since and it never cost a life) a universal language.
A normal situation was soon to be restored with fighting as before, but in that brief moment of time a little humility was shown. On hearing the news of this fraternisation, the top brass of both sides were furious and took steps for it not to be repeated, by dispersing men up and down the line to avoid any loyalties and the battle ground.
World War One 