An Imperial War Museum blog post refers to the Christmas Truce as "one of the most famous and mythologised events of the First World War." Rather than being the one isolated incident as it is often taken to be, it was in fact a number of unofficial temporary ceasefires. As the war lengthened and the bitterness and enmity deepened, the truce was not repeated on the same scale again.
German soldier approaching British lines, 1914
Taken from the LIFE Photo Collection, this shows a small Christmas tree being presented as a gift
Remarkably, amongst the letters sent home by our staff serving overseas are 3 separate accounts of 1914 Christmas truces. We let their words speak for themselves.
Christmas and football (1914-12-25)TfL Corporate Archives
Christmas and Football
"...there has been no rifle fire between us since Xmas Eve and time of writing..."
The Christmas Truce (1914-12-25)TfL Corporate Archives
The Christmas Truce
"We exchanged cigarettes, cap badges and coat buttons, and Xmas "goodies", and were very good friends."
A bandsman of the Metropolitan Electric Tramways (1915-01-23)TfL Corporate Archives
A Bandsmen of the MET
"It seems incredible, but it is true."
Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.
Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.
This story has been enhanced using images from the collections of the LIFE Photo Collection. All enquiries regarding this material should be made directly to that institution.
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