Monthly Archives: December 2012

Christmas Truce 1914

Posted on December 25, 2012 by DH

‘All this morning we have been fraternising, singing songs. I have been within a yard in front of their trenches, have spoken to and exchanged greetings with a colonel, staff officers and several company officers. All were very nice and … Continue reading →

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Christmas Eve 1914

Posted on December 24, 2012 by DH

‘On our side they sang Christmas songs in full harmony, then afterwards some national songs. If someone offered a solo, the other side applauded. ‘The French kept as quiet as mice as they listened to the Christmas hymns which no … Continue reading →

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Private Walter Whitehorn, London Regiment

Posted on December 22, 2012 by DH

Private Walter Whitehorn 3420 1st/19th Battalion, London Regiment Killed in action 25 September 1915 Commemorated on the Loos Memorial Walter Whitehorn’s name also appears on the memorial at Smithfield Meat Market in London. On the morning of 25 September 1915, … Continue reading →

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An American in France

Posted on December 20, 2012 by DH

‘What I have a vivid memory of is the French soldiers – being in a small village and going into a local wine shop in the evening. ‘They had very, very little money. But they were having wine and singing … Continue reading →

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How trench talk changed the English language

Posted on December 19, 2012 by DH

The trenches of World War I were the birthplace of many a modern English phrase, notes The Guardian newspaper. ‘Binge’, ‘fed up’, ‘washed out’, ‘cushy’, ‘snapshot’ and ‘bloke’ are among the words the paper lists as having their origins in the conflict. Many … Continue reading →

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CWGC unveils first Belgian info panels

Posted on December 18, 2012 by DH

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has placed the first of up to 65 Visitor Information Panels in Belgium. They are at Ypres Town Cemetery and Extension and the Potijze Chateau Cemeteries. Some 500 such panels are due to be installed … Continue reading →

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Two brother officers

Posted on December 17, 2012 by DH

‘The daily newspapers published casualty lists, and also extracts from The London Gazette. Naturally we looked through these for possible news of friends.  ‘One day I saw my brother’s name – commissioned a second lieutenant in the Sherwood Foresters. I … Continue reading →

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Douglas Haig lecture at National Army Museum

Posted on December 17, 2012 by DH

Leading historian Professor Gary Sheffield will be assessing how much credit Sir Douglas Haig deserves for allied victory on the Western Front at the National Army Museum on 17 January. The lecture, entitled Douglas Haig: Was He the Accidental Victor … Continue reading →

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Captain George Sandeman, Ist Royal Hampshire

Posted on December 16, 2012 by DH

Captain George Amelius Crawshay Sandeman 3rd Battalion Royal Hampshire Regiment (att. 1st Battalion) Missing in action 26 April 1915 Aged 32 Commemorated on the Menin Gate, Ypres. George Sandeman was the son of Lieutenant Colonel George G Sandeman and his … Continue reading →

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Hidden dangers of war

Posted on December 15, 2012 by DH

‘In the shallow ditch outside that Le Touret farm, among the black mud now nearly dry, were to be seen a variety of old grenades brown with rust, tumbled in with tin cans and broken harness. ‘I looked at them … Continue reading →

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