In 1914, our boys marched off to war. Their battle cry was “We’ll be back by Christmas.”
We all know that the boys did not return for Christmas with their families. On the Western Front, there had been one million casualties and the fast battles of the summer had turned to slow mud-filled trenches of stagnation. Slowly everyone became aware that this was going to be a long war with many more millions yet to die.
Starting on Christmas Eve, many troops sang Christmas carols across the lines, and at spots brass bands joined in their joyous singing.
We all know that the boys did not return for Christmas with their families. On the Western Front, there had been one million casualties and the fast battles of the summer had turned to slow mud-filled trenches of stagnation. Slowly everyone became aware that this was going to be a long war with many more millions yet to die.
Starting on Christmas Eve, many troops sang Christmas carols across the lines, and at spots brass bands joined in their joyous singing.
At first light of dawn on Christmas Day, some German soldiers emerged from their trenches and approached the Allied lines across no-man’s-land, calling out “Merry Christmas.” The Allied soldiers feared it was a trick, but seeing the Germans unarmed, they climbed out of their trenches and shook hands with the enemy soldiers. The men exchanged presents of cigarettes and plum puddings and sang carols. Some soldiers used this short-lived ceasefire for a more somber task: the retrieval of the bodies of comrades who had fallen between the lines.
The so-called Christmas Truce of 1914 came only months after the outbreak of war and was the last example of the out-dated notion of chivalry between enemies in warfare. It has never been repeated on such a large scale.
This Christmas, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the last and greatest acts of humankind’s ability to act with common sense, compassion and hope. The Christmas Truce bears repeating, if only for a day the troubles of the world “can” disappear. Humankind then may be at peace and if only in our hearts, we can all be back home for Christmas.
The so-called Christmas Truce of 1914 came only months after the outbreak of war and was the last example of the out-dated notion of chivalry between enemies in warfare. It has never been repeated on such a large scale.
This Christmas, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the last and greatest acts of humankind’s ability to act with common sense, compassion and hope. The Christmas Truce bears repeating, if only for a day the troubles of the world “can” disappear. Humankind then may be at peace and if only in our hearts, we can all be back home for Christmas.
A 91st Battalion from Elgin County were among the first Canadians to sign up for WWI. Cheered on by their fellow citizens, here they march along Talbot Street in St. Thomas on their way to the train station and an unknown destiny in the trenches.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of that first Christmas of WWI, the Elgin Military Museum will open its doors to the public for an arts and crafts show on Saturday, December 13 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Join us at 30 Talbot Street in St. Thomas for a cup of warm apple cider and to meet local artisans and crafters offering unique gift ideas for the holiday season.
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