Nothing on Story Telling today but I will share a family discovery with you. I have been going through a box of photos and documents that came from my some of my sister’s things. I found my Grandfather’s identity tag (dog tag) from the First World War and a piece he had written about the Christmas Truce (see below). I have had his diary from 1914 which he stopped writing in early December so I was never sure if he took part in the Truce. He had gone to France with 17th Infantry Brigade which became part  of the Old Contemptibles. I have had a couple of his artifacts for some time his Princess Mary tobacco tin and a personal box with his name inscribed. Anyway I feel very proud he took part in the Christmas Truce here are his words written in 1975.

“By Xmas 1914 the brigade consisted of 1st North Staffs, 3rd Rifle Brigade, 2nd Leinster Regt, 1st Royal Fusiliers were entrenched on the outskirts of Chapelle Armentieres and on the German side was the German Saxon Corps. On Xmas morning some Germans approached our lines under a white flag and there was no doubt a truce was agreed with our people, when it was realised both German and British troops were out of the trenches and mixing freely in No Man’s Land.”

He goes on to say he has a picture but I haven’t found it yet. So a picture of him instead!