How some Argylls celebrated Christmas 1914—and others couldn’t

When you think about Christmas Day what is the first thing that comes to mind? For most people it is presents, Christmas dinner, family, joy and celebration. But for soldiers at the front during the First World War, Christmas day looked a lot different. This December, our blog takes a look at some of the experiences of Christmas Day in 1914 through a diary, a letter, and an article, ultimately showing that even in the darkest of times, the Christmas spirit continued where they could.

Captain John Aiden Liddell VC MC of the 3^rd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders kept a diary throughout his service in the First World War. Liddell first joined the Officers’ Special Reserve of the 3^rd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in 1912 and obtained his pilot certificate in May 1914. He became Captain Liddell following the outbreak of the war and left for service in France on the 28^th of August 1914. He was in command of the machine gun section in the trenches and was awarded the Military Cross at Le Maisnil, France.

The museum has a photocopy of Liddell’s diary that he kept during the war, and he wrote about his Christmas at the front. He wrote that “In the afternoon Germans brought two barrels of beer over to Welsh fusiliers. Our men and theirs walked over to the halfway fence and had a chat. Astonishing sight.” He also wrote that he spoke to the Germans in English “and promised to send more papers over each night as far as the halfway fence.” He recorded that the Germans were very confident that they would win the war in 6 months’ time but they “all seemed very friendly” with “lots of handshaking” on departure at dusk when the German officers recalled their soldiers. This incredible account of Christmas Day 1914 shows how the soldiers at the front put aside the violence of war for one day so that they could celebrate Christmas in peace.

Liddell received training to be a pilot and soon joined No. 7 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps. On the 31^st of July 1915, Liddell’s aircraft was shot by machine gun fire whilst flying reconnaissance over Ostend-Bruges-Ghent in Belgium. Liddell was wounded in his right thigh which caused momentary unconsciousness; however, he regained control of his plane despite it having dropped nearly 3,000 feet and managed to complete his observation course and return to the Allied lines in a damaged aircraft. The control wheel and throttle control were smashed, as was part of the undercarriage and cockpit. Liddell received the Victoria Cross, the highest military decoration in the British armed forces, for recognition of this outstanding bravery. Sadly, Captain Liddell died of his wounds one month later in De Panne, Flanders, Belgium on the 31^st of August 1915 at the age of 27.

A similar account of Christmas Day 1914 was written about in The Thin Red Line in 1965. The article was written by Private Frank Collier, 2^nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, as he looked back on how different his Christmas was in the trenches at Houplines, France in 1914. Collier recalls that “each of us were given a present from Princess Mary – now, Princess Royal”. This present came as a brass cigarette box with Princess Mary’s head on the front and contained “a packet of cigarettes, the same of pipe tobacco and lastly a small Christmas card with her photo and signature on it.” Collier states that he still has it at the time of writing since it is precious to him.

Collier also recalls how the German soldiers came out of the trenches and met with the British soldiers at the halfway point. He wrote “Before you could say Jack was Johnson, we were all shaking hands and clapping each other’s shoulders.” He tells us how they “exchanged uniform buttons, cigarettes and tobacco with them” showing that the act of sharing and gift giving at Christmas was practiced on this day between opposing sides. “We were the same as them – looking each other up and down and taking comparative notes mentally; after all we were all tradesmen in our own particular sphere – soldiering.”

Collier continues his recollection, stating that some of the men had created a football from “paper, rags and string” and played for around 20 minutes “until the ‘ball’ fell to pieces”. When it was time to retreat back to the trenches “Scots and Germans saluted each other and made for their respective trenches, leaving No Man’s Land to it’s eloquent emptiness once more.” It is incredible that despite the violence and devastation of war, two opposing sides can enjoy Christmas together. Many accounts of this temporary peace on Christmas 1914 recall it in a positive light, for instance Frederick G Chandler RAMC of the 2^nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, called this day “extraordinary” as “one could walk about in safety, it was a most delicious feeling” and that they ate “haggis, whisky, Christmas pudding and rum”.

Private Allan MacDonald, 2^nd Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, had a different experience of Christmas Day at the front. The museum cares for a letter he wrote to his brother on the 29^th of December 1914 that explains how he wished he could have had a dram of whisky on Christmas. MacDonald wrote “Christmas passed very quickly here, we were lying in the trenches the whole day and having its hard lines when you can’t get a mouthful of Johnny Walker at this time of year but never mind we will have it yet.” Although it seems that there was no fighting on Christmas Day, MacDonald’s experience was different to the experiences above as he did not meet the Germans, exchange gifts, play football, and have a drink. However, he remains positive in his letter being sure that he will get a drink of whisky soon.

As shown through these written records, Christmas Day in 1914 was very different to how many of us spend this holiday today. However, these records also reveal that the spirit of Christmas never died and that despite the violence and loss during war, soldiers at the front remained positive and some were even lucky enough to have an “extraordinary” Christmas Day. Although the Scots and Germans were on opposing sides of war, these records show how even in the trenches, Christmas can bring people together.

The Argyll and Sutherland Museum wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Written by Caitlin Stewart, Digital Content Volunteer