The Christmas Truce 1914
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Private Frederick James Davies
2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers No 3817 Fred was born in 1886, in Lampeter, to John and Annie Davies. Before enlisting, Fred worked as a draper. He enlisted on 6th November 1908 in Chester. Posted to France 4th December 1914 Arrived home 23rd June 1915 He was medically discharged from the army on 16th August 1915. Fred had served for 6 years and 284 days. He received his silver badge on 25th January 1917 In the 1920’s Fred and his wife moved to 3, George Street, Porthcawl. Fred died in 1959 |
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The 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers was one of the few Welsh units actually at the front on Christmas Day 1914. They occupied a sector north of Houplines, where the trenches ran down to the River Lys.
Fred’s letter home from the front
Christmas 1914
Fred’s letter home from the front
Christmas 1914
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3817 19th Eng
Wednesday France
Wednesday France
Dear Mother
Just a line to let you know that I am all right. I hope you got the King’s Xmas card alright. I hope to send you Princess Mary’s gift in a day or so. We have come out of the trenches since Sunday for a few days rest. Its nice to have a nights sleep from the wet but we still sleep in our clothes; but I am happy through it all. Its no use being otherwise.
We had a good chat with the Germans on Xmas Day, they were only fifty yards away from us in the trenches. They came out and we went to meet them. We shook hands with them. We gave them cigs jam and corn beef . They, also, gave us cigars but they didn’t have much food. I think they are hard up with the war.
We don’t know what day we shall be going away from here but I dare say it will be to the trenches. We had a service on Sunday with the chaplain. We sang all the Xmas hymns.
Well dear Mother I’ve got no more news at present. Don’t you worry about me. You buck up till I’ll come home. Dai sent me a parcel; also, Mrs Davis brothers. I shall write to Mrs Davis tonight. Give my best love to dear Dad to say write as often as you can.
With best love from your loving son
Fred xxxxxxxxxxxx
Just a line to let you know that I am all right. I hope you got the King’s Xmas card alright. I hope to send you Princess Mary’s gift in a day or so. We have come out of the trenches since Sunday for a few days rest. Its nice to have a nights sleep from the wet but we still sleep in our clothes; but I am happy through it all. Its no use being otherwise.
We had a good chat with the Germans on Xmas Day, they were only fifty yards away from us in the trenches. They came out and we went to meet them. We shook hands with them. We gave them cigs jam and corn beef . They, also, gave us cigars but they didn’t have much food. I think they are hard up with the war.
We don’t know what day we shall be going away from here but I dare say it will be to the trenches. We had a service on Sunday with the chaplain. We sang all the Xmas hymns.
Well dear Mother I’ve got no more news at present. Don’t you worry about me. You buck up till I’ll come home. Dai sent me a parcel; also, Mrs Davis brothers. I shall write to Mrs Davis tonight. Give my best love to dear Dad to say write as often as you can.
With best love from your loving son
Fred xxxxxxxxxxxx