Collection of WWI Soldiers’ Accounts Illuminates 1914 Christmas Truce

The striking statement, “Here we were laughing and talking to men whom only a few hours earlier we were trying to kill,” is featured in a compilation of World War One soldiers’ narratives that offer insight into the renowned Christmas Truce of 1914. Maude Alice Lineham, a volunteer nurse in Derby and Leicester during the 1914-18 conflict, encouraged wounded servicemen to document their experiences. Her assembled album, which is scheduled to be auctioned soon, contains poems, reflections, memories, and drawings from approximately 90 individuals, alongside a fragment of a white flag. Prior to the war, Miss Lineham was a teacher and served at Derby’s Spondon House Hospital, the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary (DRI), and Leicester Royal Infirmary. The album includes an eyewitness account by Corporal John J Ferguson of the Second Seaforth Highlanders, who was stationed in a waterlogged trench in Messines, Belgium, during Christmas 1914. Corporal Ferguson recounted that after a cessation in gunfire, soldiers began singing carols, which elicited applause from the opposing forces. This interaction progressed to shouted greetings, followed by invitations to meet. “Make for the light and as we drew near we saw he had a flash lamp in his hand,” he said. “We shook hands, wished each other a Merry Xmas and were soon talking like old pals, standing in front of their wire entanglements and surrounded by Germans.” “What a sight it was, little groups of Germans and British extending almost the length of our front. “Out of the darkness came laughter and talking, lighted cigarettes and the flash of matches. “Germans and Seventh lighting each other’s cigarettes and exchanging souvenirs… here we were laughing and talking to men whom only a few hours earlier we were trying to kill.” A page within the album displays a piece of a white German surrender flag. Sgt Jones of the 1/5 Kings Liverpool Regiment recorded: “A piece of a German white flag… the flag was taken from a prisoner who surrendered with 120 more at Festubert [France] on May 17, 1915 to the British.” The collection also emphasizes that fatalities occurred beyond the trenches. On 17 November 1915, the vessel Anglia, transporting 390 injured soldiers from Calais to Dover, struck a mine. It sank within 15 minutes, resulting in the deaths of 134 men. An entry by C Gordon, 9th King’s Royal Rifle Corps, details the ensuing chaos. “All the life boats were full of men, the men from below. “No-one seemed to give any instructions. No-one seemed to know what to do. “The ship’s crew were not to be seen anywhere. The men in the lifeboats didn’t know how to lower the boats,” he said. Not all entries present somber narratives; for instance, J M Hockney wrote on 30 June 1917: “In memory of happy days, many chorus’s etc with Miss V.A.D. Lineham at the piano surrounded by her noisy boys.” Miss Lineham passed away in 1965 without close relatives, and it is believed the album was discovered during a professional house clearance. The anonymous current owner commented: “Maude’s album is particularly delightful as it is so complete and she showed such diligence in making sure the young men in her charge recorded something, either by the written word or a beautiful picture. “I was so impressed by how articulate and talented they all were.” The album is scheduled to be auctioned at Hansons Auctioneers in Derbyshire on 13 November. For updates, BBC Derby can be followed on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story submissions can be sent to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not accountable for the content of external websites. Information on its external linking policy is available.