THE truce was not universal along the Western Front. Here are some letters (transcribed by Marian Robson) from soldiers who were not fortunate to see a break in hostilities during Christmas 1914:

Auckland and County Chronicle, Thursday, February 4th, 1915

Private Oswald Johnson Coldstream Guards: Dear Sir,- Just a line in answer to your card, which I was so pleased to receive yesterday. I have seen Bert Shipley once or twice, but we don't have much chance of seeing one another, as he is in No 1 Company. He was quite alright when I saw him on Christmas Day. We had rather a good Christmas, with the usual pudding you get at home for dinner, and the King and Queen sent us a card. We also had a nice Christmas box from Princess Mary. We had the misfortune to lose our Captain on Boxing Day. He was shot by a sniper about a yard from where I was standing, and that made us feel a bit 'down' for a time. He was a little strict with us, but he was very cool under fire, walking about the trenches just as if he was walking the streets of London. When we saw him doing this it made us think that if one could do it we all could, and we did until he was shot. It has been very wet lately and the trenches are full of water. When we were in the trenches last time we had top walk about a quarter of a mile through water over our knees, and when we reached the trenches we had to stand the boot tops in mud and water for 24 hours, with the Germans about 200 yards in front of us. We could hear them singing quite plainly. I received a lovely box of chocolates from No 1 Standard, Girls' Dept., Council School about a week ago, and I don’t know if I wrote to thank them for it. I should be very pleased if you would ask, and give them my best thanks if I did not write. I can’t really say how pleased I was to receive that box of chocolates. You ask if I need anything. Well, there are lots of things I need, but I would be very thankful if you would send a few cigarettes, I am pleased to hear that you have so many names on the Roll of Honour.

The New Shildon Council School “Roll of Honour” contains the names of nearly 40 ex-scholars who are now serving in the King’s Army, and Mr Wright, the headmaster, has recently received letters from three who are now at the front.

Auckland and County Chronicle, Thursday, 14th January, 1915

How greatly gifts of tobacco are appreciated by our soldiers on actives service at the front is shown by three letters which Mr Luke Conlon, of the Brancepeth (?) Hotel, Willington, has just received from Gunners Shepherd and Rowlandson and Private Ashurst, who all belong to Willington. Gunner Shepherd and Private Ashurst have been at the front since the war began.
Parcels of tobacco and cigarettes had been sent to them from the Brancepeth Hotel by Mr Conlon.
In the course of his letter Gunner Rowlandson says, after giving thanks for the parcel: "It came in as a welcome gift, as it is my birthday, so you see it filled two purposes - a Christmas present and a birthday present. We are having it very rough at present, in fact the last two months have been terrible. We have been moving about in a sea of mud. Hardly a day passes without rain, and it is very unpleasant, as our feet are never dry. I cannot imagine how the Germans stick it against us, as we always send plenty of shells to them. We all had a lovely gift from Princess Mary on Christmas Day, It was an embossed box which contained tobacco, cigarettes, pipe, and photo of herself inside. It resembles Queen Victoria box of chocolates of 1899. We made the best of our Christmas Day under trying conditions. Our officers were good too us. They did their best for us, so that we could enjoy Christmas."

Gunner Shepherd asks how all the b-hoys are getting on. He is well, but his battery has had a rough time out there. during a hot day or two they had 73 killed and eight wounded. Continuing he writes: "Well, it is all for King and Country, so drink to the day, boys. Luke is paying, or Old Slack".

Reference is made to the wet weather they are having and he wishes to be remembered to the "b-hoys" at Willington.

Private Joseph Ashurst says he will enjoy the tobacco very much in the trenches as although "we are getting a pretty fair quantity of tobacco out here, it is the first bit of brown twist I have seen since I left home. I can't tell you much about the work out here, as we are not allowed, but it is much quieter lately. We had quite a truce on Christmas Day, and only a few shots were fired on either side. It is quite a bit different from the day I got my wound, as it was like H---- itself for a few hours then. The lads told me when I came out of hospital it was kept up all night as ?we (the firing), but that was 21 October. So I have nearly forgotten all about it except the mark on my back and sometimes a little irritation from the wound. Give my best to all the boys, not forgetting Johnny Green. Tell them I hope to be home soon to have a pint or two with them.

The above letters have all passed the Censor.

Aukland and county Chronicle Thursday 11th March 1915

Interview with Sergeant John Bell of 2nd Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers. Mobilised 5th August 1914 and left trenches 23rd February 1915.
Mentions Ypres, Messines, La Bassee, the weather conditions and Mons - the worst fight that he was in, but no mention of Christmas truce.

Auckland and County Chronicle Thursday 14th January 1915

Christmastide in a French hospital: A letter from Miss Maud Wilson, who is a nurse in North France, has been received by her parents at Greenhill House, Crook. Describing Christmastide, Miss Wilson says:- “On Christmas Eve we had holly given to us for all out beds, so we fastened it at the head of each bed, and many had a bunch of mistletoe as well. We also had two Christmas trees on the stage of the Casino, and in the centre an altar was erected for the celebration of Midnight Mass at 11-35pm.
“We had a busy day on Christmas Day. In the afternoon at 4 we had the Christmas trees lighted up. Each patient received a ticket with a number - there were over 300 - and after all had been provided with tickets Dr Boisseau mounted a ladder and began taking off the presents from the trees. Every present was numbered, and the man whose ticket corresponded with the number read out went up to the doctor and gave up his ticket for the present.. They really had very nice things, socks, notebooks, pencil cases with pencils. pen and nibs, cigarette holder, pipes etc. Between the distributions we had songs and music, so were very lively.
“Boxing Day was another great day. Sister and I were just congratulating ourselves on getting a fairly easy day, when Dr Boisseau announced that more wounded were expected at the unholy hour of 3.30am, so we quickly went to bed. The next thing I heard was the hoot! hoot! of the motors, always a sure sign that wounded are arriving. We were quickly at the casino, only to learn that the wounded for the "Royal" had arrived. Ours were coming later, so we quickly set to work, washing our patients, and got things ready, and at 8-30 the men arrived - 125 of them."
The letter goes on to describe the decoration of a patient - George Deloisin - with a medal for bravery - equivalent of the VC. This took place on the Sunday after Christmas. Although he had been badly wounded 2 months previously.

Auckland and County Chronicle Thursday 14th January 1915

Article on “Thrilling Adventures of Despatch Rider” - various references including the following to Christmas Day.

"Two days prior to the 25th, the headquarters were removed from the firing line for a rest, and although Christmas Day was a busy one, between duty they were able to have their "little merry go round", as Christon expressed it. Nineteen riders were with the corps, and an excellent dinner they made of chickens, rabbits, and plum puddings, followed with the "cracking" of a bottle of whisky."
- Corporal Chas Christon of Brandon Colliery.

Lockerbie went on to relate how his party of riders spent Christmas. As at Christon's billet, so it was at the 4th Corps headquarters, where the 19 riders sat down to a capital spread of turkey, sausage, and plum pudding. This feed, by the way, was partaken of in an attic of what was, undoubtedly at one time, a place of high entertainment, for fighting cocks were to be found there when the men first entered the billet. - Corporal Jim Lockerbie of Durham City

Auckland and County Chronicle, Thursday 7th January 1915

Private Elliott Peadon, Blackdean, Ireshopeburn (?) writing on 28 Dec to his wife and family says:-
As I write we are up to the eyes in mud, as the weather is cold and wet, but I hope the bairns and you had a good dinner on Christmas Day, as I had mine with the thousands of others, in a horse box off bully beef and biscuits with our boots on for four days and nights to be ready for the enemy, yet we all enjoyed ourselves and pledged out "King, country and homes" to wash down the good Queen Mary's present of pipes, fags and tobacco, which was welcome, you may be sure, as Christmas has been very cold all round. We read with horor (sic) in the papers of the German raid on our coast, but I don't think they are ever likely to get there again, but there's no saying what the beggars cannot or will not do, but God help them when our Durham chaps get at them either on sea or land, as they are all wild about it. You'll read (?) when they do come across them it will be the "Highlanders at Lucknow" all over again, as they'll go mad when they think of the cruel murders of their relatives, friends and country innocent folks at Hartlepool and the other places. They think they'll have scared us, but quite the reverse when the weather permits our generals to give the word "forward". I find the crowds of splendid lads arriving hourly are itching for a "go" at the Germans to get a xx of their own back. Still, I've seen no Weardale faces as I would like so much to meet, but I'm glad to know they are in the making at the Army depots, and hope they'll keep coming to the colours as it's the only way to bring the war sooner to an end, by showing the enemy, Britishers the world over are in it and mean to win. Remember me to them all, and especially to my old chums at Monkhouse's (xxxx) quarry, as I am picturing you all and them, as the New Year approaches. May God bless and keep you safe and well, hoping to be spared to return shortly to meet and talk of the sights and scenes which can't be put in a letter as to the rough and tumble, enjoyable life and comradeship that makes life worth fighting for, with thoughts of home to spur us all on to keep these sacred and safe from a dangerous enemy."

Blaydon Courier February 6th 1915

Pte Tom Ridley of the 3rd division Northumberland Fusiliers writing to his brother, Mr Wm Ridley 14 May Street, Winlaton, with whom he previously resided states that he has just come out of the trenches for a few days rest. “I will not,” he proceeds, “forget New Year’s Day for a long time to come. We were in the trenches on New Year’s Eve and did not ear any bells ringing the New Year in, but there were plenty of guns. I am in the best of health and still in good hopes of coming to see you all again. It is very bad weather here and makes it hard for us, but we are a long way from being down hearted yet. We have no fear as to the result of this war. We are only waiting for the weather to change, then things will mum up a bit for somebody.”
Before being called to the front, Pte Ridley worked as a miner at Blaydon Main Colliery.

Blaydon Courier 30th January 1915

Mr T Husthwaite, a Chester-le-Street tradesman, who on the outbreak of war rejoined his old regiment the West Yorkshires and was given the rank of Sergeant.

Same letter as in Consett Guardian 29th January 1915

On Dec 28th Sergt Husthwaite wrote:-
“We came out of the trenches last night for a dew days’ rest and tomorrow we re going to ---- for a bath, and a change of clothing. This morning we received Princess Mary’s gift and Christmas cards. I am enclosing cards, and will forward box with pipe, tobacco, and cigarettes, which I want you to keep. In the cigarette pacet you will find a photograpoh of Princess Mary. We have had any amount of cigarettes and tobacco sent out as presents, though I dare say there will be many corps not in touch but we seem to be lucky. You might get me a pocket knife or a handy pair of scissors as they would be very useful. I have broken my knife and am lost without it. Tell --- my platoon officer is a “Buff”. There has been nothing of importance at our end of the line since we attacked. Of course we are constantly firing but that is by the way. We get the odd casualty but don’t know what the other side’s are.”

Blaydon Courier January 23rd 1915

A Sunderland soldier on a visit to Consett who spent Xmas in the trenches and who has since returned home wounded chatting with a “Guardian” representative in the railway train recently, related a few of his experiences since going to the front. He was one of the 2nd Durhams and was at Cambridge when called up. Good fortune favoured him all through the earlier stages of the war, surviving Mons and other of the great battles, without any injury. So far as his own experiences went he regarded the Aisne as the worst battle, where he said it was absolute “murder”.
After emerging successfully from some hot work in the firing line he fell a prey to the snipers on the Sunday morning following Xmas day in the neighbourhood of Armentiers being hit twice whilst drawing water. One bullet wound is in the foot and another in the arm, but fortunately neither of them hit the bone, and after a short stay in Lincoln hospital he is expecting to get back to the firing line shortly. Asked his opinion about the fighting qualities of the French and German soldiers, he sad the Frenchman was all right for a time but some of them soon got “tired”, they couldn’t stand long marches, whilst with regard to the German soldier he said it was difficult to form any opinion because he “had” to fight; if he didn’t he would be shot from the rear if e ran back or faltered. In the earlier stages of the war they were in the trenches as far as twenty-three days at a stretch, but latterly they hadn’t been more than seven days. One of the biggest handicaps of late had been the weather, and not a few of the men have been invalided owing to frozen feet; he said it was pitiful to see some of them when animation was returning; the pain was dreadful and some of them cried like children. He remarked that he hadn’t really seen many Germans because off the fighting is done at night time; they won’t fight in the day light; the only one they really got into personal contact with was a party of about fifty prisoners they took. The Durham Light Infantryman showed us with pride the Royal Xmas cards he received on Xmas day but said he wasn’t one of the fortunate ones who got a good dinner, as he was never out of the trenches until the following Sunday morning when he got hit.

Blaydon Courier January 16th 1915

Pte Gavin Renwick of ‘C’ Company 2nd Durham Light Infantry who has been at the front since Oct 27th forwarded a letter to Blackhill in which he states:-
“As luck would have it we got our Christmas feast in comfort, as we had just returned from the trenches and were installed in billets. I cannot describe to you in detail all the fighting that has taken place and the scenes witnessed out here, but I am thankful to say I have taken no hurt so far. I am not a great lover of sweet cakes. but I thought my mother’s cake never tasted so well as it did this Christmas. We had just come out of the trenches after some hard fighting and when I saw the parcel I was overcome with joy. In fact it brought home to me more forcibly than anything else I could name - the great issue at stake. We must beat these Germans at all costs to save those old cherished domestic crafts at home which no other women in the world can carry out so well as out own mothers especially, and English women in general.”

Consett and Stanley Chronicle Friday January 29th 1915

Private Augustine Cummings 1st Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (the old Fighting Fifth) who came back from France on furlough and sick leave a fortnight ago. Member of Stanley branch of the Workers’ Educational Association.
Very reluctant to talk about his experiences.
Various reminiscences and at very end of quoted remarks it says:- Asked how he spent Christmas Day, Private Cummings said that he had had his Christmas pudding “burnt with rum” like the rest of his companions, and that some of the wounded in hospital told him that there had been a cessation of hostilities at the trenches which they occupied; but that was not the case where he had been.

Consett and Stanley Chronicle Friday January 15th 1915

Private Gavin Renwick of Blackhill who is in the 2nd Battalion Durham Light Infantry, writing to Mrs Johnson, the landlady of the Sportsman’s Arms Hotel, Blackhill says:- “Words cannot express the gratitude with which I received your Christmas present, also that of my particular chums who shared the pleasure of drinking your health with good old stuff from Blackhill. I am not a great lover of sweet cakes, as my people at home will tell you; but I thought my mother’s cake never tasted better than it did this Christmas - in fact, it brought home to me more forcibly than anything else I can name the great issue at stake. We must beat these Germans at all costs to save those cherished domestic crafts which no other women in the world can carry out so well as our own mothers. If the Kaiser ever settled down in our villages in England, there would be an end to all those household things - so little to look at, but so dear to the heart of Tommy in the trenches. I may tell you that if Lloyd George put the beer up 2s 6d a pint, we shall have it when we come home.

Consett Guardian Friday March 26th 1915

Lance-Corpl Fouracre of Derby Rod, Stanley, who has been invalided home gives some stirring experiences of the fighting at the front. He is attached to the 2nd Durhams and has been sent back as a result of frost bite. The conditions a month or so ago he said were almost inconceivable.
"Water up to the knees and inches of mud below that. xxx rain xxx down in torrents, interspersed with snow storms and all the time the xxx fire of the German artillery in front. That was what we had to endure. The sentries had to stand to the knees in many cases in water."
On one occasion he said he sank about the knees in clay and had been churned up into a liquid almost. He had to requisition assistance to get out and even then he had to leave behind in the mud the Wellington boots which he had been wearing at the time. These boots, however, were not protected, as the water ran in at the top. He mentioned a curious incident which occurred on Boxing night. "We had not been long in the trenches before a German appeared over the brow of one and said he wished to give himself up. How he got past the sentry without being shot I have never been able to fathom.
He spoke excellent English and he told us that we were going to be attacked. The Germans were going to fire two volleys and make the attack. The consequence was that we were all on the alert. But the Germans evidently smelt a rat, or missed the man for the attack never came. We made the Teuton pump water next day and sent him down to the Base," he tersely added. New Year's Eve supplied another amusing incident. The Notts and Derbyshire regiment, who were lying near the Durhams, were persistently inviting the Germans to commence xxx with cries of "Come over here". With a suddenness which was startling the Germans loosed off and the fire was taken up by the Derbyshires and right along the line to us. After about half an hour's firing we ceased and we could hear the Derbyshire boys crying about a mile or more away "Are we downhearted? No!". We learned afterwards that the Germans were only celebrating the coming of the New Year. This happened at quarter past eleven by our time, but German time is three-quarters of an hour in advance of ours. They were not making an attack as we thought, but simply celebrating the New Year."
EXTRACT - rest of letter refers to unconnected incidents including a soldier called Williams who met his German brother in law who had been taken prisoner.

Consett Guardian Friday January 29th 1915

Sergeant T Husthwaite - former tradesman from Chester-le-Street rejoined old regiment West Yorkshires. Writes to his wife.

Christmas Day 1914: “I am in the trenches. We came in last night after having had 3 days’ rest. It was a most beautiful bright, moon light night until turned midnight but very frosty. It is very cold but we have plenty of clothing. The only part we feel it badly is in our feet. We are in for 3 days this time. We bring in our rations with us. They are plentiful and good, and we cook them in the trenches. When not on sentry - go he men sleep in dug-outs. These are holes dug out in the rear part of the trenches, where with straw, an oil sheet and a great coat, it is possible to sleep. The Germans trenches are only 200 yds away from us, and last night we could hear them singing, and I suppose they could hear us. We gave them a few Christmas carols. There was very little shooting going on and today has been quiet. By the way, you need not send anything in the way of underclothing or tobacco. We have had quite a lot distributed to us sent from different sources in England. The farmhouse where we are billeted last was dated 1704, and the fireplaces were after the style of slapestones such as we have seen in Yorkshire. The place has been shelled for some time and the roofs and walls of many buildings are wrecked, and there are great holes in the ground made by ‘Jack Johnsons’.

Consett Guardian Friday January 15th 1915

Pte Gavin Renwick ‘C’ Comp 2nd DLI
“I am not a great lover of sweet cakes, but I thought my mother’s cake never tasted as well as it did this Christmas. We had just come out of the trenches after some hard fighting, and when I saw the parcel I was overcome with joy.

If you would like to take part in this project by helping to transcribe such letters from your local archives, send an email to info@christmastruce.co.uk to register your interest.