JRES, the farmer's daughter, Harold Sprot and Alexander Whitehills
There has been much talk of The 1914 Christmas Truce recently. Here follows a letter from John Stansfeld (Laird of Dunninald) to his wife Yolande, dated 26 December 1914. John served with The Gordon Highlanders.
..........This letter will reach you about New Year's Day. I must describe my Xmas day to you, which was most unique, and very interesting. Sprot and I were alone, we went to Communion Service at 8am in a hay-loft! There were about 40 people, mostly officers. The General, and all his staff, and a lot of gunners were there. Most of the officers of course were in the trenches. We returned to breakfast, and had the Xmas tree on the table, and with that coffee, quaker oats and eggs and bacon, and ration jam (a curious mixture of tea-leaves and turnips). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
After breakfast, the usual orderly room, and papers to sign. I then walked round and wished all the men in billets a happier Xmas next year! We then walked out to look for wood to make a roof to some new “dug-outs” we are making at ---------[location censored], en route, found ourselves at the Brigade Staff-Office. We waited there and talked for some time, then returned to our farm, and started kicking a football about.
A game was then arranged, between, England and France and Scotland. France were represented by three French youths, who were having their dinner hour, after working at cleaning the ditches. Two gunners and one man of the Northumberland Hussars. Scotland: Sprot, self, Burgan, Ramage (Sprot's servant) and Foster (L/c of Scouts). We gave them such a beating, that the game was stopped and Sprot and I picked up. My side was then beaten badly! Sprot has been stiff ever since! But as I took the game less seriously, I have suffered no ill effects!
Then we came in, and prepared the table for our Xmas lunch – Alexander (Whitehills) who was sick (but since well again) was staying at our billet, as his company was out in the trenches. We had the small Xmas tree, with six candles in it, in a pot, a centre-piece of silver paper from chocolate and cigarette boxes, Frances' apricots, in a circle round the paper (very artistic) and chocolate biscuits, and chocolates in paper. It really looked awfully well! Then all 3 sat down and I got the farmer's daughter to pose behind the table, and make a sort of background, Burgan then took 2 photos of the proceeding! We had two bottles of wine, and drank a silent toast, to all those who we love at home, and who were thinking of us, and probably drinking our healths at the same time.
After lunch, we dressed for the trenches, and set off to wish the boys in the trenches better luck. We had been told that there was a sort of truce on, by an orderly who came up in the morning. We found both sides sitting in their trenches and a mutually arranged truce going on. The next division was not so fortunate and about a mile from us, there were fighting as usual! Everybody was delighted at the rest and we all got a chance of looking at our trenches and spotting their weak points from the German side – of course nobody went within 30 yards or so of the enemy's lines. We could see all their wire but could not see in the trenches. One of the territorials (6 Gordons) did go over in the morning, and rang a bell which was hanging on their wire, and asked for lunch!
When Sprot and I arrived (about 3pm) there was no-one in the (word illegible) of our section, so I waved for one of the Germans to come across and talk, which he did. We met in the middle but beyond shaking hands and laughing at one another, we could not say very much as we were both ignorant of the other's language. Henry (big drummer) who is my orderly with Piper Stuart was with us and I had carefully left my camera in our trenches in case of raising suspicion, but as my friend seemed quite willing to be photographed, I sent Henry for it. Meanwhile in order to collect a few men for the group, I gave couple of View Halloos. Effect marvellous. Heads popped up everywhere. They thought we were charging them, I think!! When they saw what was happening, about 20 came across.
..........This letter will reach you about New Year's Day. I must describe my Xmas day to you, which was most unique, and very interesting. Sprot and I were alone, we went to Communion Service at 8am in a hay-loft! There were about 40 people, mostly officers. The General, and all his staff, and a lot of gunners were there. Most of the officers of course were in the trenches. We returned to breakfast, and had the Xmas tree on the table, and with that coffee, quaker oats and eggs and bacon, and ration jam (a curious mixture of tea-leaves and turnips). We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
After breakfast, the usual orderly room, and papers to sign. I then walked round and wished all the men in billets a happier Xmas next year! We then walked out to look for wood to make a roof to some new “dug-outs” we are making at ---------[location censored], en route, found ourselves at the Brigade Staff-Office. We waited there and talked for some time, then returned to our farm, and started kicking a football about.
A game was then arranged, between, England and France and Scotland. France were represented by three French youths, who were having their dinner hour, after working at cleaning the ditches. Two gunners and one man of the Northumberland Hussars. Scotland: Sprot, self, Burgan, Ramage (Sprot's servant) and Foster (L/c of Scouts). We gave them such a beating, that the game was stopped and Sprot and I picked up. My side was then beaten badly! Sprot has been stiff ever since! But as I took the game less seriously, I have suffered no ill effects!
Then we came in, and prepared the table for our Xmas lunch – Alexander (Whitehills) who was sick (but since well again) was staying at our billet, as his company was out in the trenches. We had the small Xmas tree, with six candles in it, in a pot, a centre-piece of silver paper from chocolate and cigarette boxes, Frances' apricots, in a circle round the paper (very artistic) and chocolate biscuits, and chocolates in paper. It really looked awfully well! Then all 3 sat down and I got the farmer's daughter to pose behind the table, and make a sort of background, Burgan then took 2 photos of the proceeding! We had two bottles of wine, and drank a silent toast, to all those who we love at home, and who were thinking of us, and probably drinking our healths at the same time.
After lunch, we dressed for the trenches, and set off to wish the boys in the trenches better luck. We had been told that there was a sort of truce on, by an orderly who came up in the morning. We found both sides sitting in their trenches and a mutually arranged truce going on. The next division was not so fortunate and about a mile from us, there were fighting as usual! Everybody was delighted at the rest and we all got a chance of looking at our trenches and spotting their weak points from the German side – of course nobody went within 30 yards or so of the enemy's lines. We could see all their wire but could not see in the trenches. One of the territorials (6 Gordons) did go over in the morning, and rang a bell which was hanging on their wire, and asked for lunch!
When Sprot and I arrived (about 3pm) there was no-one in the (word illegible) of our section, so I waved for one of the Germans to come across and talk, which he did. We met in the middle but beyond shaking hands and laughing at one another, we could not say very much as we were both ignorant of the other's language. Henry (big drummer) who is my orderly with Piper Stuart was with us and I had carefully left my camera in our trenches in case of raising suspicion, but as my friend seemed quite willing to be photographed, I sent Henry for it. Meanwhile in order to collect a few men for the group, I gave couple of View Halloos. Effect marvellous. Heads popped up everywhere. They thought we were charging them, I think!! When they saw what was happening, about 20 came across.
Christmas Truce 1914
I took 2 photos with Sprot in the group, and he took 2 with me in the group. It should be most interesting and quite unique. I should get into awful trouble if it was known, as we are not allowed to take photos. But what a chance to have missed. They were Bavarians and Hanoverians, 15th, 115th and 158th Regiments. They were very cheery and laughed at nothing, in fact merriment was rather forced on both sides. However, we ragged one another. There was one measly looking officer, who looked as if he played a tin whistle in civil life. One man made a horrible face and slunk off like a frightened wolf – and started to run to his trench. I honestly thought he was going to get his gun and shoot me. So Sprot and I walked quietly back to our trench, ready to jump in , if there was any trouble. Presently he came back with four pals and shouted to me to go back and photograph them as well! I did not go back. As the Boer prisoner said to me at Jopa “he looked me false in ze face”.
There was no shooting all day. All the morning both sides were burying their dead. They had been lying out since the fighting last week. Some Germans had been lying out 2 months! The minister with the 6th and a divinity student, with the Germans, concocted a joint service and 50 or 60 English and Germans attended. There were about 40 dead Germans opposite our bit. Wasn't it an extraordinary experience – shake hands one day and kill one another the next. We told them we wanted a holiday on New Year's Day, so they said they would not fire if we did not. So with luck, we shall have another holiday.
Yesterday there was no firing, neither side liking to start and break the calm. Tonight a German came across and deserted to our side. He had been talking to some of Scots Guards on Xmas day and took advantage of the truce to come right in. he is married to an English girl and lives in Devonshire. He said there was to be a big attack on our line last night. There was great excitement – and at 12 last night, we were all woken up, one company was sent off to the trenches and the rest in readiness. I went and waited with the General so as to get orders quicker when they started. 12:15 was the time and the signal was supposed to be a salvo of big guns. However it never came off. We shelled them like fits and if they had troops assembled we must have done great damage. They knew from that that we knew they were coming, and in the meantime had postponed it.
On Xmas night, Sprot and I dined with the Brigade Staff. The General and … were dining with the Grenadiers. Bury, James, Palmer, the Vet and a parson was the party. After dinner, the Xmas spirit fell heavily on the parson, and he regaled us with stories and conjuring tricks. I have sent you the menu, which is very clever.
Also, I have sent today the helmet, which is French and not German. (German will follow). I am now writing at the luncheon table, with Sprot and the doctor. We have just been discussing how we should write to Princess Mary to thank her for her present. Various suggestions, but none correct, I am sure. All the Royal Family remembered the soldiers. I have sent you on Princess Mary's present and the King's card to keep. I am using your writing pad, which is most useful. Please send me some more of your addressed envelopes, and foreign note paper.
All our men are going into puttees and boots, with hose tops turned over the top. Shoes are impossible in this mud. Xmas day was frosty and snow lay about an inch deep. Since then it has set in fresh and we live in slush again. I went to a town about three miles away with Sprot, and we had a hot bath. It was the first time I had taken mine off since Rouen! All the soldiers get hot baths about once a fortnight at a dye factory, where they have big vats and hot water laid on. It is a god-send, but very cold work as it means standing in a room and the tiles are mostly absent!
Do you know that by motoring from here in the morning, one can drive to London the same night – you see, we are not far away. I thought of you all a lot on Xmas day – and at church this morning – Mr Adam from Keith gave a short service in our own farm barn. I am quite fit and getting more used to things now. People have been most kind in sending things for Xmas, and although not the kind one would choose, it was most interesting and can never be forgotten – I wonder what New Year's Day will bring....
There was no shooting all day. All the morning both sides were burying their dead. They had been lying out since the fighting last week. Some Germans had been lying out 2 months! The minister with the 6th and a divinity student, with the Germans, concocted a joint service and 50 or 60 English and Germans attended. There were about 40 dead Germans opposite our bit. Wasn't it an extraordinary experience – shake hands one day and kill one another the next. We told them we wanted a holiday on New Year's Day, so they said they would not fire if we did not. So with luck, we shall have another holiday.
Yesterday there was no firing, neither side liking to start and break the calm. Tonight a German came across and deserted to our side. He had been talking to some of Scots Guards on Xmas day and took advantage of the truce to come right in. he is married to an English girl and lives in Devonshire. He said there was to be a big attack on our line last night. There was great excitement – and at 12 last night, we were all woken up, one company was sent off to the trenches and the rest in readiness. I went and waited with the General so as to get orders quicker when they started. 12:15 was the time and the signal was supposed to be a salvo of big guns. However it never came off. We shelled them like fits and if they had troops assembled we must have done great damage. They knew from that that we knew they were coming, and in the meantime had postponed it.
On Xmas night, Sprot and I dined with the Brigade Staff. The General and … were dining with the Grenadiers. Bury, James, Palmer, the Vet and a parson was the party. After dinner, the Xmas spirit fell heavily on the parson, and he regaled us with stories and conjuring tricks. I have sent you the menu, which is very clever.
Also, I have sent today the helmet, which is French and not German. (German will follow). I am now writing at the luncheon table, with Sprot and the doctor. We have just been discussing how we should write to Princess Mary to thank her for her present. Various suggestions, but none correct, I am sure. All the Royal Family remembered the soldiers. I have sent you on Princess Mary's present and the King's card to keep. I am using your writing pad, which is most useful. Please send me some more of your addressed envelopes, and foreign note paper.
All our men are going into puttees and boots, with hose tops turned over the top. Shoes are impossible in this mud. Xmas day was frosty and snow lay about an inch deep. Since then it has set in fresh and we live in slush again. I went to a town about three miles away with Sprot, and we had a hot bath. It was the first time I had taken mine off since Rouen! All the soldiers get hot baths about once a fortnight at a dye factory, where they have big vats and hot water laid on. It is a god-send, but very cold work as it means standing in a room and the tiles are mostly absent!
Do you know that by motoring from here in the morning, one can drive to London the same night – you see, we are not far away. I thought of you all a lot on Xmas day – and at church this morning – Mr Adam from Keith gave a short service in our own farm barn. I am quite fit and getting more used to things now. People have been most kind in sending things for Xmas, and although not the kind one would choose, it was most interesting and can never be forgotten – I wonder what New Year's Day will bring....