From War Diary of 2nd Bn Wiltshire Regiment. 25/12/1939 Armentieres , France. Still extremely slippery on roads:Air thaw. 1230: Christmas Dinners for all men in coy billets: visited by Brig Dempsey, The Bde Comdr. 25-26/12/1942 Qum, Persia CHRISTMAS DAY } BOXING DAY } BN HOLIDAY 25/12/1943 Celenza , Italy The Bn was very fortunate in being able to spend Christmas in the traditional manner. The day began with a midnight celebration of Holy Communion which followed on from the Carol Service. Breakfasts were put back til 0800 hrs and during the morning the cooks excelled themselves by preparing a very substantial and appetising dinner which was disposed of at about 1300 hrs and very much appreciated by all. In the evening all the officers foregathered in the Bn HQ Mess for dinner and a social evening , which unfortunately had to disperse rather early as many of the party had to make an early start on the morrow. 24-26/12/1944 Khassa, Palestine Our advance party arrived back from Italy . They had reached CHIETI and had taken over completely form 2 DCLI but had to hand everything back owing to the change of plan. Owing to the change of plans Christmas was celebrated at the proper time . Arrangements were made for those who desired , to attend Midnight Mass at BETHLEHEM. Heavy rain , which turned the Camp into a quagmire, unfortunately restricted many of the outdoor activities , which had been planned for Christmas , but nevertheless it was enjoyed by all ranks. 25/12/1945 Einbeck 4760, Germany 0930: A Parade service was held in the Garrison Church . After the Service the Bn, headed by the 'Drums' , marched past, the salute being taken by the Commanding Officer, Lt Col CM Keble OBE. Christmas Day was enjoyed by all ranks . The Commanding Officer visited all the Mess rooms during the dinner period and expressed his proudness in being given command of teh Bn, also his regret an not having been in action with it.Curfew was extended to 0130 hrs.
I thought it would be good to start a Christmas thread-for anything related to this special time of the year. These are my initial offering but so many of us must have either direct memory or photos or documents from our research that relate to Christmas in WW2.
Wow a desert rats xmas card i have 2 one of which my father sent two his mother from Sittard Holland xmas 1944 he says they were given one card each. He also remembers xmas dinner in Sittard with a mug half rum and half calvados he says what a (something)mix.
December 1944 my father and two others stopped outside a row of houses in Born nr Sittard in very snowy conditions a young girl about 5 years old was sent from one of the houses to ask the soldiers inside each house had a small hole joining each house so children could pass from house to house if need be as the house was only 7 kms from the German border. Father stayed there for a few days waiting orders and the weather to settle sharing food with the family and playing with the children. When he left the husband gave dad a spoon in a box for christmas with a thank you note written on the box. After i took dad for his first return to Normandy 2004 he went to his draw and got out the spoon and said how thankfull he was to the family and others during that awful winter and wished he had kept in touch with the family. After two years work a friend found Ingrid and in to 2007 i took my father to holland to return the spoon with Anglia TV behind we left Beccles down to Dover over to Calais half of the stern was taped of for the camara man.Then of to Deinze in Belguim were he was ordered to blow up the towns bridges, Then of to Born to return the spoon. Quite a trip for dad we are still keeping in touch and good friends.
Susan - a nice idea for a thread. While searching the source for another card I came across yours and few others from the same unit on this page: Artefacts - Memorabilia I'll include my favourite here and perhaps the same referred to by son of a desert rat?
Christmas card received from my Dad (REME. LAD) on the way to the Ardennes with 1st. Northamptonshire Yeomanry.
I have a number of Christmas related items that I trot out every year so some of you will have seen them before.
This Christmas Card was sent to the N.C.O.'s of 50 Squadron by their ex C.O. Gus Walker, Christmas 1941. Fortunately my father saved the card which is in my possession