Christmas 1916

Christmas 1916. Although the nation didn't know it, was slap bang right in the middle of the war. Had they known they were only half way through, I would imagine they would have soon given up. December 1916 was a hard one, both on the front and at home. The soldiers on the front had spent months fighting day and night during the battle of the Somme and had seen the friends injured or killed among them. 

The home front was full of shortages, especially from the likes of bread and meat. German naval operations over the previous months had meant that everything seemed to be in short supply and what there was saw a huge price increase almost overnight. To add to this, Europe seemed to be having the worst weather in over thirty years and so you can imagine how low morale was getting. 

Telegrams were still arriving each day, they certainly couldn't stop for Christmas. However, what was different was how much more of a greater understanding the home front had. This was due to The Somme film being released in cinemas around the country. It was the first time anything like this had been shown and for women was the first real insight into what war was really like. They now knew that when those telegrams arrived, the chances were that suffering had probably been endured before death. 

The home front did try to connect with the front line soldiers, with many people putting together food hampers or knitting scarves and socks to send to the soldiers. Of course, families still sent letters and parcels to their loved ones if they could, but now there was a greater sense of doing there bit.

Christmas was so different then compared to now. Homes didn't have electric and so there were none of the pretty lights we all love to see around. Neither were presents wrapped because that was a waste and could be better used to help the war effort. People didn't expect to get a present either but were grateful if they received one. Remembering this certainly does make you appreciate the things you have got in life and shows the true meaning of Christmas - to be with those you love and cherish memories that are made. 

I hope you have all had a lovely Christmas this year. I wanted to end by sharing this poem I read recently by an Australian soldier named Leslie George Rub. In a round about way, he tells you exactly what life was like during Christmas 1916, so I hope you enjoy it!

Christmas Day On The Somme

‘Twas Christmas Day on the Somme

The men stood on parade, 

The snow laid six feet on the ground

Twas twenty in the shade.

Up spoke the Captain ‘gallant man’,

“Just hear what I’ve to say, 

You may not have remembered that

Today is Christmas Day.”

“The General has expressed a wish

This day may be observed, 

Today you will only work eight hours,

A rest that’s well deserved.”

“I hope you’ll keep yourselves quite clean

And smart and spruce and nice,

The stream is frozen hard

But a pick will break the ice.”

“All men will get two biscuits each,

I’m sure you’re tired of bread,

I’m sorry there’s no turkey

But there’s Bully Beef instead.”

“The puddings plum have not arrived

But they are on their way,

I’ll guarantee they’ll be in time

To eat next Christmas Day.”

“You’re parcels would have been in time

But I regret to say

The vessel which conveyed them was

Torpedoed on the way.”

“The Quartermaster’s got your rum

But you may get some yet,

Each man will be presented with

A Woodbine cigarette.”

“The Huns have caught us in the rear

And painted France all red,

Pray do not let that trouble you, 

Tomorrow you’ll be dead.”

“Now ere you go I will you all

This season of good cheer,

A very happy Christmas and

A prosperous New Year.”

Christmas 1915

By December 1915, the realisation that the war was going to drag on for a long time yet started to hit home. As with today, people's thoughts turned towards Christmas and what they needed to buy. However, in wartime Britain this was easier said than done. Today we are used to an array of beautiful presents with something for every price range, yet in 1915, less and less could be found in the shops. Women were encouraged to only buy presents which was useful and those that could were encouraged to do without, in order to said the soldier's on the front line what they could. Useful gifts for the soldiers included items such as warm gloves, safety razors & cigarettes.

It was not only those on the home front whose thoughts turned to their loved ones at Christmas, for soldier's were also thinking of what to buy. The most popular item that was purchased was handmade cards from local villages near to the front line. These are more commonly known as world war one silks. They are so beautifully crafted and many came with their own personal message inside. For those of you who haven't been lucky enough to see one in the flesh, all I can say is the detail captured in these cards are truly amazing.

On the home front and the front line, people were remembering the Christmas Truce of the previous year. So were those of higher power who strongly discouraged any repeat of such an event. Soldier's were threatened that if they were caught to be in friendly company of the enemy, they would be court marshalled and the punishment would be severe. This meant that for the soldier's on the front line, it was a relatively quiet affair. With many of the soldier's fighting in Gallipoli throughout December, soldier's were battling with the bitter temperatures and fallen snow. Due to this, many soldier's in the area were suffering from frostbite and so not really in the Christmas mood. 

It wasn't just the army that were strict around Christmas, for the navy was too. Christmas Day for sailor's was highly regimented. For example, whether religious or not a sailor was first expected to attend a religious service. After the service, they would then go to the mess, where food adorned the tables as far as they eye could see. The ships Captain and officers would then sit at each of the tables and sample the food on offer. Only then would they have any free time, but they were always on high alert. 

Britain had seen some of its bloodiest battles in the war so far, and with this came a vast amount of injured soldier's, many of whom were to spend Christmas in hospital. To cheer their patients up, many of whom were suffering from horrific and life-changing injuries, nurses set about decorating the wards and organising entertainment such as concerts. 

For all of these people and many others, Christmas was celebrated in different ways. Yet they all had something in common and that was the hope that the war would be over soon, so that no more suffering came of the people of Britain. Unfortunately, this hope would not happen for another three years and there would be many who would never see the end of the war. So this Christmas take a moment to think of those people as well as those serving around the world today, of the sacrifices they paid and are still paying to keep us all safe. 

Lastly, I would just like to take this moment to thank you for your support and for reading my blog throughout the year. I would like to wish you a very merry Christmas and a prosperous and happy new year.