Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Remembers
The1914 Christmas Truce
Education pack
This pack has been designed with the aim of providing an engaging educational experience.
Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy.
Design and production: Navig8 Ltd
British Council 2014. Please encourage others to download a copy of this publication from
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/football-remembers
Welcome to Football Remembers
t o e nter
Football has the power to bring us together and to engage t f o rget
Don mpetition ur pack withalatov the
ery
young people who would not otherwise feel part of the o
our c hted to launcesign a memthe 1914 a
ho ori
First World War centenary. The British Council, the Premier e del
ig
ion to
d
durin
g
ged b
y
We ar competit d football will be jud
League, the Football League and the Football Association al
speci s who play he design
e s ridge
Camb l
r T e o f
have joined forces in an imaginative partnership to soldie as Truce. e Duk ns wi
l
h r i s tm e s H RH Th sted desig rial
C
includ li
encourage young people to remember the Christmas Truce short onal Memo ing
l that alcott. All i n
p a n e e t
N a e win
of 1914, one of the greatest surprises of the First World War. n d T heo W ayed at th mmer. Th lise their
a l su ea
e disp ) this A to r A in
also b tum (NMA th the NM at the NM
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/football-remembers i
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re w e d
Arbo will work nveil
l l be u
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The partners desig ber 2014.
e m rial.
Dec in
ls are n a Memo
The British Council The Football League d e t a i
The British Council is the United Kingdoms The Football League is the worlds original league More y G: Desig
t i v it
Ac
international organisation for cultural relations and football competition. With 72 members, the League
i n g d ate:
Clos e 2014
educational opportunities. We create international is the largest body of professional clubs in European
opportunities for the people of the UK and other football; it is responsible for the Championship,
n
countries and build trust between them worldwide. League 1, League 2 as well as the Capital One Cup 16 Ju
The FA Supporting football since 1863 and Johnstones Paint Trophy.
The FA is the not-for-profit, governing body of The Premier League
football in England. With more than 100m put The Barclays Premier League is the most watched
back into the game every year, it grows participation, continuous annual global sporting event in the world.
promotes diversity and regulates the sport for Off the pitch the Premier League will spend 168m
everyone to enjoy. solely on grassroots and community projects over
the next three seasons.
How to use the pack
This pack is in two parts a set of activity plans for
teachers and a set of additional original documents
We would encourage you to treat the activities as
examples of what you can do with the sources and to
List of activities and colour codes
to be used with those plans. use the original documents to develop and add to your A Introductory activity find out about the truce
The activities are aimed primarily at pupils aged 9-14 own lesson plans and classroom activities. We hope B English and drama hot seating, improvisation,
but they can be adapted to suit older or younger your school will join in this special centenary event. writing and performing short plays
audiences who are studying significant historical But whatever else you do, think about the courage of C English and creative writing write a
events and people from their own locality. Each the soldiers in the trenches in 1914. truce diary
unit contains background information, ideas for Action plan
discussion and cross-curricular activities. There are
D English and drama learn about footballers
H]VgZi]ZeVX`VXgdhhndjghX]dda who fought in the war
learning outcomes, links to curriculum subjects and
lists of additional resources. JhZ^i^caZhhdch!VhhZbWa^Zh!Xgdhh"Xjgg^Xjajb E Languages carry out truce conversations,
projects with partner schools use drama for language learning, read sources
These can be used in individual lessons and
assemblies or can form part of larger cross- K^h^i]iie/$$hX]ddahdca^cZ#Wg^i^h]XdjcX^a#dg\$ in the original language
curriculum projects over a number of subjects. They football-remembers for extra content including F Art and design cartoons from the
could also be a foundation for a joint curriculum videos and the chance to take part in competitions First World War
project with a partner school overseas. 9^heaVni]ZgZhjaih^cndjgXdbbjc^in G Art and design design a war memorial
There are a number of sources suggested for each and/or online
H Moral education ethics and dilemmas
activity, catering for a range of reading abilities. You IV`ZeVgi^ci]ZXdbeZi^i^dcidYZh^\cVlVg
can find more sources relating to this pack at http:// memorial (UK schools only)
I Sports activities make a football, plan
schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/football-remembers. your football match, think about the skills
GZhZVgX]adXVa[ddiWVaaZghl]d[dj\]i^ci]Z;^ghi footballers need
You can also download more copies of the pack, in World War and send us information on them
English and Welsh, from this link. J Conflict resolution play a simulation game
Dg\Vc^hZVXdbbZbdgVi^kZigjXZbViX]
in December.
K History interpret and review the sources, make
a judgement on the significance of the truce
L History find a local footballer who fought
in the war
M English and media studies propaganda
and football
Background information
In the first months of the First To this day, there is debate about whether or not
anyone really played football in No Mans Land.
World War, soldiers fighting in There is plenty of evidence, however, that the truce
the trenches around Ypres held a did take place. It involved thousands of men and was This is what
reported in dozens of newspapers as soldiers wrote
truce. Over the Christmas period home to family and friends. In the years after the war,
No Mans Land
they set aside their weapons and many soldiers wrote about their experiences or gave looked like,
interviews to museums, historians and the media.
met in No Mans Land.
This pack contains a selection of original sources
This Christmas Truce was an unplanned and sources which historians use when they piece
unexpected event. It happened many times and in together the story of the Christmas Truce. Some of
many places. German, French, British, Belgian and these have not been published previously.
Indian soldiers were excited to meet one another.
They sang Christmas songs together, exchanged This is real history. Its elusive, intriguing
souvenirs and took photos of one another. And in and inspiring.
some cases, it seems that they even played football.
Its very hard to pin down the story of the 1914
Christmas Truce and even harder to find out about
the football matches. This wasnt planned, arranged
and recorded, like much else in the war. It was
spontaneous and informal. It was an example of
fraternisation when enemies met up, shared
comforts and even became friends which naturally
met with disapproval from military command.
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/football-remembers
Map from January 1915 reproduced with kind permission of the In Flanders Fields Museum
Contents Football Remembers
Monday 8Monday
Activities
A Introductory activity find out about the truce
15 December 2014
B English and drama hot seating, improvisation, writing
Prepare
and performing short plays
rning about
Get ready for match day by lea
English and creative writing write a truce diary e Football
the Christmas Truce through th
C
l
Partner surcsthoroybooa
B English and drama Exchange yo
scripts, photog
rds,
raphs and
ormances
films of the pe rf
ne r school.
with your part
The Christmas Truce of 1914 was a brief ceasefire during the bitter http://schoolso
nline.british
conflict of the First World War. It is remembered as a time of peace and tner-with
council.org/par
-a-school
humanity which interrupted months of brutal fighting.
Give copies of the source materials related to this 6[iZgi]ZhZhh^dc!Y^hXjhhl]Vildg`ZYlZaaVcY
section to groups of pupils. how they could use the scenes they created as
Ask each group to use highlighters to pick out springboards for creative writing. Ask each group Suggested
to produce a storyboard and script which tells the sources
details of the events revealed in the sources that reflect differe
story of the Christmas Truce. nt nationalitie
particularly resonate with them. These could be carol involved in th s
e truce. The
singing, the sharing of gifts or the football match Rehearse these short plays together and include three se
itself. Discuss how the soldiers must have felt as perform them for a larger audience. The drama letters from
soldiers, sold
they gingerly stepped into No Mans Land and the can be accompanied by readings from the iers diaries,
scene from a a
sights and sounds that would have met them. How original accounts, use of appropriate props such novel written
the son of an by
would they have felt when the fighting restarted? as footballs, cameras, cakes and music from the Indian soldie
who served r
What would the reactions of friends and family at time, such as Its a Long Way to Tipperary and the in the British
items that tr army,
home have been when they heard what happened? Christmas carol Silent Night. oops exchan
and photogra g ed,
Improvise the first contact between the German You can find the lyrics online at phs taken by
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/ soldiers duri
and Allied soldiers. How might they have greeted ng the truce
.
each other? football-remembers
9, 10, 15, 19
, 23,
:cXdjgV\Z\gdjehidXgZViZ[gZZoZ[gVbZh!a^`Zhi^aa
25, 47, 49,
photographs, of the significant events that they pick
out during their research. Blow a whistle (the signal
51
frequently used by soldiers during the First World
War) when you are ready for each group to bring
their scene to life.
Your
storyboards
might look
like this.
Age range: 914 Learning objectives: Use research skills to identify key
Curriculum Links: English, History, Drama elements of the Christmas Truce and use it as a stimulus for
Global citizenship skills and values: Creative creative writing and drama
thinking, empathy, collaboration, commitment to peace,
research skills
We want to
E Languages and the Christmas Truce talk to you
Je peux
Meet us half way Meet in the middle
Rejoignez-nous mi-chemin! Rejoignons-nous au centre
te prendre
Do you speak English / German / French? Yes I speak No I dont speak any language but my own
Tu parles Anglais / Allemand / Franais? Oui, je parle Non, Je ne parle que ma propre langue.
Where did you learn it? I learnt it at school / I lived in another country
O as-tu appris lAnglais / lAllemand / le Franais?
How long have you been here?
Je lai appris lcole / Jai vcu dans un autre pays,
ltranger
en photo?
Depuis combien de temps es-tu l? I arrived a few weeks ago
Do you want to play football? Je suis arriv il y a quelques semaines
KdjhkdjaZo_djZgVj[ddi4 Do you have a ball?
KdjhVkZojcWVaadc4 A Kodak No 1
Do you have a camera? Brownie Model B box
Tu as un appareil photo? Are we allowed to play?
camera, sometimes
Are you hungry? On a le droit de jouer?
used during the First
Tu as faim? Is it safe? World War
Have you seen the newspaper? Cest sans risque?
Tu as vu les journaux? Can I take your picture?
Id like to give you something to remember me by Je peux te prendre en photo?
Je voudrais te donner quelque chose pour que tu te Would you like some chocolate / an orange / bully
souviennes de moi beef?
What are your trenches like? Tu veux du chocolat? Une orange? Du corned-beef?
Cest comment dans vos tranches? I have a newspaper from Germany / England / France
Do you think well meet again? Jai un journal allemand / anglais / franais
Tu penses quon se reverra? Here is a button, newspaper, badge, hat
Tiens, un bouton / un journal / un badge / un chapeau
They are muddy, wet, cold
Il y a de la boue, cest humide et il fait froid
I would like to / I hope so / I dont think so
Jaimerais bien / Jespre que oui / Non, a
mtonnerait
Translated by Feyrouz Djabali
Truce vocabulary: Hindi
Come out! We want to talk to you
Do you speak English / German / French? Yes I speak No I dont speak any language but my own
Where did you learn it? I learnt it at school / I lived in another country
How long have you been here? I arrived a few weeks ago
Id like to give you something to remember me by Would you like some chocolate / an orange / bully beef?
What are your trenches like? I have a newspaper from Germany / England / France
Do you think well meet again? Here is a button, newspaper, badge, hat
Id like to give you something to remember me by Would you like some chocolate / an orange / bully beef?
Ich wrde dir gern etwas zur Erinnerung an mich geben Mchtest du Schokolade / eine Orange / Dosenfleisch?
What are your trenches like? I have a newspaper from Germany / England / France
Wie sind eure Schtzengrben? Ich habe eine Zeitung aus Deutschland / England /
Frankreich etc.
Do you think well meet again?
Meint ihr, wir werden uns wieder sehen? Here is a button, newspaper, badge, hat
Hier ist ein Knopf, eine Zeitung, Dienstmarke, eine Mtze
We want to talk to you
Wir wollen mit euch reden They are muddy, wet, cold
Sie sind schlammig, nass, kalt
I would like to / I hope so / I dont think so
Das fnde ich schn / ich hoffe es / ich glaube nicht
IgVchaViZYWnL^bKVchiZZc`^hiZ
Age range: 914 Learning objectives: Study authentic art resources and
Partner spiceshofool
Curriculum Links: Art and design, History create drawings about the events of the Christmas Truce
Global citizenship skills and values: Empathy, and designs for a war memorial
communication, creativity Exchange co
have
the artwork you
Cr ea te a
developed.
ry to ge ther.
photo galle
Ask your pupils to design a monument to (2014 only) letters, the transcr
e two
ipts of
commemorate the Christmas Truce using the original Football Remembers is launching two television inte
rviews,
sources as inspiration. You could share these ideas a competition for UK schools a diary, a memoir
and two
with your partner school. and football club academies to photographs.
design a monument to remember
the football played during the 9, 10, 20, 21,
Christmas Truce. This competition
closes on 16 June 2014. 23, 33, 47
To enter the competition, read
the information below, then go to
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.
This monument org/football-remembers
in Messines near
Ypres marks one
of the sites where
football was played
during the Christmas
IgjXZ#K^h^idghaZVkZ
footballs.
Photo reproduced with kind
permission of Steve Hawkins
Photography
Football Remembers Memorial Competition in
association with the National Memorial Arboretum
?
Design a contemporary war Design Criteria
The memorial should inspire and educate visitors, as
memorial that honours the soldiers well as be a place of remembrance and reflection. It
who played football during the should be:
6h^beaZVcYi^bZaZhhYZh^\cl^i]VhZchZd[Y^\c^in
Christmas Truce. Designs will
GZVY^angZXd\c^hVWaZVhVbZbdg^Va!Wjicdi
be shortlisted by the National necessarily of traditional design
Memorial Arboretum. The winning
H Moral education
Ethics and the Christmas Truce The Pope and
This activity builds on the diary work in which pupils General Sir Horace
Smith-Dorrien
have already explored different perspectives.
Students carry out imaginary conversations between Students should spend five minutes in their pairs
people who were involved in, or affected by, the or groups discussing the truce from the point of
truce. Adopting a persona from the sources, they view of their character, and then summarise their
discuss what they think of the truce, how it has conversation to the rest of the class. Use this as the
affected them and the reasons for their point of view. basis of a class debate about the rights and wrongs
Students work in pairs or small groups. Assign a of the Christmas Truce.
character to each student from the source materials Questions to answer (in character) during the
or ask them to choose their own. A summary of the conversations:
characters could be printed onto flash cards to help L]ViY^Yi]ZigjXZbZVcidi]Zb4
them. Older pupils could create their own. =dlY^Yi]ZigjXZV[[ZXii]Zb4
Make sure that each groups characters have L]Vi^beVXiY^Y^i]VkZdci]ZlVg4
different back stories as this will create more
interesting discussions. For example, mix up the LVh^ig^\]iidbV`Z[g^ZcYhdgeaVn[ddiWVaal^i]
different ranks of soldiers from the Allied or German enemies who you had tried to kill and who had
forces and make these two enemy sides speak to killed your friends?
each other. Include the Belgian soldier, Michel Toudy, LVh^ig^\]i[dghdaY^ZghidY^hdWZndgYZghid
in the discussions and think about why he opposed establish a truce?
the truce. Include people at home who heard news of LVh^ig^\]iidjhZi]ZXZVhZgZidignid\V^c
the truce in letters from their fathers, brothers, etc. information about the opposing forces?
=dlZVhn^h^iidhide\]i^c\VcYi]ZchiVgiV\V^c4
=dlY^Yi]ZhdaY^Zgh[ZZal]Zci]ZigjXZZcYZY4
I Sports activities
The football that was played at Christmas 1914 was not like a football
match you might see on a Saturday. It was played in a rough and
often bombed area of ground between the trenches. Some of the
accounts mention caps being thrown down as goal posts, but the
pitch would certainly not be marked in any way.
There were unlimited numbers on each team one Memories Thinking Ahead
soldier remembers two or three hundred taking part. Ask the pupils who has played this kind of football Organising your football match
There were no team captains, strikers or defenders. and what made it fun? How and when did it happen? Ask your pupils to think about the organisation
There was no referee. Whats the difference between this and a real of your special commemorative football match in
Some accounts have a real football sent to the troops football match? December.
for Christmas and being blown up for the game. In Make a football L]VigZhdjgXZhl^aaWZcZZYZY4
other records the football was improvised, and was In parts of the world today, children still play football =dlXVci]Zn^ckdakZVhbVcneZdeaZWdnhVcY
just something that they could kick around. on patches of land, often with their bare feet. Many girls) as possible?
There was no strip. Soldiers wore their uniforms, cannot afford a leather football, so they make their
own out of local materials. The most commonly =dll^aai]Zn`ZZehXdgZ4
including trousers and jackets, kilts and heavy
army boots. used material is plastic bags. Encourage groups =dlXVci]Znh]VgZVcYejWa^X^hZi]ZZkZci4
of students to make their own football. Have a
This lesson encourages you to recreate the spirit Encourage them to work together to develop a
competition to see which group can make the most
of this special football experience and to think timeline and a list of who will be responsible for
successful and robust football and work together
about how you might go about organising your different parts of the event. Make sure someone will
successfully as a team.
commemoration match. be on hand with a camera to take photographs of the
teams together to show that you remembered.
This is a real football from
the First World War. It was
dribbled across No Mans
Land by soldiers from the
London Irish Rifles during an
attack at the battle of Loos in
1915. They wanted to score a
goal in the German trenches.
Photo reproduced with the kind permission
of the Curator of the Regimental Museum
of the London Irish Rifles.
Four corners
Successful footballers can balance the technical,
psychological, physical and social elements across
their lives, to achieve the best results in sport.
One tool used to help them achieve this is the four
corners approach. This looks at different aspects of TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL
a players life technical, psychological, physical and
As a footballer, the skills needed to be effective on The mental strength needed by footballers:
social and develops these to achieve their potential
the pitch, for example: Decision making on the pitch
on the pitch. The model aims to develop not just the
Long and short passes To develop these skills:
player but the whole person.
Tackling 6aadli]ZeaVnZghidaZVgc[gdbi]Z^gb^hiV`Zh
The table to the right gives some examples of the
To develop these skills: and take risks
skills footballers need in each of the four corners:
6h`i]ZiZVbideaVn^cY^[[ZgZciedh^i^dchYjg^c\ AZii]ZeaVnZghZmeZg^bZciVcYbV`Zi]Z^g
different periods of the game own decisions
AZii]ZbeaVni]Z^gdlc\VbZ
EaVnY^[[ZgZci[dgbVi^dch
PHYSICAL SOCIAL
Footballers need to be in good shape for Being part of a team
the match. Following the rules of the game
To develop these skills: To develop these skills:
>cXdgedgViZ\ZcZg^XbdkZbZciV\^a^in!WVaVcXZ 6aadli]ZeaVnZghidWZ^ckdakZY^cYZX^h^dc
and co-ordination into your warm-up making processes
<^kZi]ZeaVnZghgZhedch^W^a^in
Sugges
ted sou
to footba rces con
ll being p tain a refe
that took lay renc
part in th ed or show troop e
two sold e s
iers lette truce. They inclu
interview rs , transcrip d e
s, a ts
two photo diary, a regimen of two
graphs o tal history
f the truc and
9, 10, 20
Four corners
e taking
place.
, 21, 23,
33, 47
Ask pupils if they can add to the grid by giving further
examples for each section and ideas of how these TECHNICAL PSYCHOLOGICAL
skills could be developed.
The skills needed by a soldier in the trenches, for The mental strength needed by soldiers
Soldiers fighting on the Western Front taking part in example:
the Christmas Truce also had to balance these four Risk taking
how to use and arm a gun Strategic awareness
aspects. Use the source materials to try and identify
the technical, psychological, physical and social In the truce the courage to meet the enemy.
attributes that were important during this period and In the source materials, a soldier from RJR 16 (Hitlers
add to the grid to the right. regiment) described how an enemy soldier made
his way across No Mans Land: An especially brave
man came closer, with his arms waving, then another
followed and then more and more The corporal
writing in The Saturday Review explains that even
to show your head above the parapet would have
been fatal, but tonight we go unarmed (but a little
shakey) out to meet our enemies.
PHYSICAL SOCIAL
Soldiers need to be fit. In the source materials,
Lieutenant Zehmisch describes a vigorous football
match
The FAs four corner model has been adapted for the purposes of this project.
Age range: 914 Learning objectives: To use the historical example of the
Curriculum Links: Citizenship, History, Literacy Christmas Truce to develop understanding of conflict and
Global citizenship skills and learning values: Conflict conflict resolution
resolution, self-awareness, critical analysis
include
e d s o urces
st da
Sugge r s d ia ries an
ldie
two so l war d
iary.
e n t a
regim
3
8, 16, 2
The conflict resolution game was adapted for this pack by Professor Tom Woodhouse, University of Bradford
Score sheet
ROUND COLOR PLAYED SCORE 8JBJA6I>K:H8DG:
A B A B A B
1 GROU
PA
GROU
2 PB
SCOR
Red EA
3 SCOR
Red EB
Red
4
Blue +3
Blue
8DC;:G:C8::CKDN +3
Red 0
Blue
5 +6
Blue +6
6 0
-3
7 -3
10
EA:C6GNG:K>:L
Evaluation form
What was your strategy at the beginning of the game? If you played the game again what would you do differently?
Did your strategy change as the game progressed? What did you learn from playing the game?
Age range: 914 Learning objectives: Develop an awareness of different
Curriculum Links: History, English interpretations of historical events and an ability to review
Global citizenship skills and learning values: Critical sources and consider their accuracy
thinking, reading and comprehension, debate and
discussion, analysis and value judgement
K History
In pairs or small groups, ask the pupils to make mind 1. Why were soldiers friendly towards their Give time for individuals, pairs or small groups to
maps showing what they already know, or think they enemies across the Western Front during circulate around the room reading and annotate each
know, about the Christmas Truce. Christmas 1914? source in turn. Ask them to highlight comments or
Then ask each group to write down three questions Use the information in the introduction to this pack phrases within the text or details within an image that
or topics that that they would like to investigate to recap and explain details of the Christmas Truce could suggest a particular motivation for the actions
further before their commemorative football match. of 1914. Using source material from the pack, make of soldiers on each side. Ask them to rank which they
Encourage them to ask open questions that they can a single large copy of each suggested source and think are the most important.
go on to research. mount each one on an even larger piece of paper Pupils could participate in a final debate on why
for annotation. soldiers fraternised despite propaganda depicting
Share the pupils mind maps. Talk about the pupils
existing knowledge and explore some of the Display the possible motivations for fraternisation their enemies as cruel, treacherous or barbaric.
questions or topics that have been raised. Discuss listed below. Ask pupils if there are others they can
how they can go about finding their answers. think of:
HdaY^ZghdcWdi]h^YZh[djcYi]Zn]VYZmeZg^ZcXZh
It is important that this sequence of enquiry in common
questions and activities is taught in order, as it is
designed to culminate in an assessment of the HdaY^ZghZc_dnZYhdX^Va^h^c\l^i]ZVX]di]Zg
significance of the Christmas Truce to pupils today. HdaY^ZghdcWdi]h^YZhlZgZ]dbZh^X`VcYlVciZY
The activities could be differentiated for younger to celebrate the Christmas holiday as they usually
urces for
Suggested so
pupils by limiting the number of sources they use, did with their families
ude soldiers
simplifying text or leaving out material that is deemed HdaY^ZghdcWdi]h^YZhlZgZXjg^djhidbZZii]Z^g question 1 incl
rs letters and
inappropriate for a particular age group. enemies diaries, soldie
diaries.
HdaY^ZghdcWdi]h^YZhi]dj\]i^ilVhlgdc\id`^aa extracts of war
3
at Christmas
HdaY^ZghdcWdi]h^YZhlVciZYidWjgni]Z^gYZVY#
7, 9, 16, 23, 5
ces for question
Suggested sour
ldiers letters, two
2 include four so ph
and the photogra
memoirs, a diary h a tre nc h
n throug
of the truce take
periscope.
,
10, 11, 12, 17, 19
K History 27, 52, 53
2. Since early 1915, people have disputed the 3. How significant was the Christmas Truce Ask the pupils to form pairs to carefully read the
idea that football could have been played in of 1914? suggested accounts of the truce in this pack and to
such difficult circumstances. Ask your pupils Lead a discussion about what pupils consider to be highlight words which indicate how significant the
whether they think that football was played. the most significant event in their lives so far and participants thought the truce was at the time. Lead
Display the possible reasons for debate listed ask them to give reasons for this. Ask the class what a whole class discussion and take a vote, awarding
below: significance means to them. a mark out of ten for how significant the truce
EZdeaZl]dhVn[ddiWVaalVheaVnZYVgZgZedgi^c\ Now display the following criteria for ascribing appeared to be to people at the time.
hearsay, so it was just a rumour historical significance to an historical event: Repeat the same activity for the extract over the
HdbZd[i]ZVXXdjcihd[[ddiWVaaWZ^c\eaVnZYdcan GZbVg`VWaZi]ZZkZcilVhgZbVg`ZYdcVii]Z page from the Official British War History published
emerged years and years after the war it was a time or has been since in 1926.
myth which people wanted to believe in GZbZbWZgZYi]ZZkZci]VhWZZcgZbZbWZgZY
CdBVchAVcYlVhkZgnYVc\ZgdjhVcYaaZYl^i] as important at some stage in history to a group or
wire, shellholes and the dead people could not groups of people
have played football there GZhjaiZY^cX]Vc\Zi]ZZkZci]VYXdchZfjZcXZh
HdaY^Zgh]VY\jchVcYVbbjc^i^dccdi[ddiWVaah for the future
in the trenches GZhdcVcieZdeaZhi^aaXdccZXil^i]!dggZ[Zgidi]Z
ces for
8dbbVcY^c\d[XZghldjaYcdi]VkZVaadlZY event, in the present Suggested sour
e one diary,
soldiers to fraternise. GZkZVa^c\i]ZZkZciiZaahndjhdbZi]^c\VWdji question 3 includ
th e truce,
This lesson could be differentiated for younger pupils what it was like to live at that time. a photograph of
y of 1915, a
by selecting fewer or more accessible sources. the official histor
rv ie w and a
memoir, an inte
rd .
regimental reco
This activity was developed with the support of the Institute of Education, University of London.
Age range: 914 Learning objectives: Use research skills to learn about
Curriculum Links: History, English, Drama, Citizenship football in the First World War and find out how propaganda
Global citizenship skills and learning values: Research was used to encourage footballers and fans to join up
skills, team work, community awareness, reading and
comprehension, presentation skills
?
L Find a footballer
Create a profile of a First World War footballer
and present your research as a poster. This
could be someone from your area, someone
from a local team or someone whose story
inspires your pupils. This activity gives students
a human connection with football in the First
World War through an individual players story,
professional or amateur, man or woman.
Ask students to work independently or in pairs Sugge
s
to research a footballer, record their findings and includ ted source
e back s
present them to the class. They could use a wide readin gr
g and ound
range of sources. Online research, libraries and of foot examp
ba les
football club historians are a good place to start. inspire llers storie
p st
Remind them to record the sources they use. a phot upils, as we o
ograph ll as
They could use the following guidance and template and In of Brit
dia ish
to help them. playing n soldiers
f
Make a display in your school of all the footballers the fro ootball behin
ntline, d
local c w
your pupils find, swap stories with your partner hildren atched by
school, and upload what the students find to the .
38, 39
British Council Schools Online site.
, 46
L Find a footballer research worksheet
NAME DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH A PHOTOGRAPH
Deciding who to research can be one of the If you can find one that is free of
BACKGROUND copyright restrictions.
toughest decisions here are a few options
to help you get started: Where did he (or she) grow up, what was their
family like, what was their job before, or as well as, A DRAWING
9dndjeaVn[ddiWVaa^cViZVbidYVn49^Y
your team exist at the outbreak of the First World playing football? Be an artist! From what you have discovered, what
War? If so, can you find out what happened to the do you think your footballer looked like?
people who played in your team during the war? WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM IN THE WAR?
9dndjhjeedgiV[ddiWVaaiZVbidYVn49^Y When did they join up to fight, and which regiment RESOURCES USED
your football team exist during the First or battalion did they join? Its always important to explain how you got your
World War? Can you find out who played If you are finding out about a female footballer, information and where you got it from.
for them, and what the team did during the what did she do during the war? Why did she start
war? (This is a good place to start whether playing football?
you support a small local club or one of
the Premier Leagues top four teams.)
WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARDS?
9jg^c\i]ZlVg!Y^YldbZceaVn[ddiWVaa^cndjg
area? What can you find out about them? If they survived, what did they do after the
war? If they died, are they remembered
6gZi]ZgZVcnhidg^Zh^cndjg[Vb^andgXdbbjc^in somewhere? For example, on a war
about football in the First World War? There memorial or at their football club.
may be a very special story on your doorstep.
Perhaps a great-great-uncle who loved to play Remember that most people who took part in the
football before the war signed up. Ask your war came home 88 per cent of soldiers returned.
parents, grandparents and other relatives or
people from your local area. This could include
sheltered housing for older people, as their
parents might have been involved in the war, and
local history groups.
L Find a footballer research worksheet
Name What happened to them in the war? An image
Background
Resources used
Age range: 914 Learning objectives: Use research skills to learn about
Curriculum Links: History, English, Drama, Citizenship football in the First World War and find out how propaganda
Partn
Excha er scho
Global citizenship skills and learning values: Research was used to encourage footballers and fans to join up
skills, team work, community awareness, reading and ng o
poster e recruitme l
comprehension, presentation skills s with nt
partne yo
r scho ur
ol.
Thanks to the British Library for their help in finding these sources.
Every reasonable effort has been made to trace copyright holders and obtain permission from them. The British Council has acted in good faith at all times
and on the best information available to us at the time of publication. Please contact the British Council if you own copyright in any material which has been
included in this schools pack without your consent.
Map from January 1915 reproduced with the kind permission of the In Flanders Fields Museum
Source: 1 H Moral education
a p p e a rs , h a s appealed to the
THE POPE , it ostile or
, e x h o rt in g them to suspend en t : o n e that is h
that is
belligerent Pow e rs Belliger , especially one
n g th e C h ri st mas week [] aggress
ive
hostilities d u ri in war
re enga d e
Truce of God we
g
feeling
b e fe lt th a t if a m p t uously: ctful
it may
o c e rt a in ty th e conditions Con t e
t/ a n g r y, disrespe
is n contemp
agreed to, there b se rv ed by a nation r a ll y : acting
against
s
o u ra b ly o Imm o principle
would be hon d immorally tears
up esta b li s h e d moral
p tu o u sl y a n ting
that conte m ies: figh
m e re sc ra p o f paper. Shocking Hostilit
a treaty as a b e w a r at the season
sh o u ld
as it is that there e ti m e for suspending
E a rt h , th
of Peace on ome
ie s h a s n o t y e t arrived: it will c
hostilit y.
th e b e a te n e n e my sues for merc
only when
Source: 4 C Write a truce diary
The inculcation of the
fence:
H Moral education offensive spirit in the de
getting soldiers to fight
t
Antecedent: something tha
comes before an event
tasks
Orders issued to officers of the 3rd and 5th Division by willing to perform assigned
ng
General Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien, 4 December 1914 Armistices: pauses in fighti
ag ree no t to
where both sides
It is not surprising that groups of men who were attack another
sitting in opposing trenches could hear and
Lethargy: laziness
sometimes even speak to each other. Sometimes,
the British and German troops would hold singing
competitions.
defence
The British High Command became aware that
incidences of this kind were taking place and had Although the Corps Commander is
increased in the run up to Christmas. General of the opinion
Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien was an experienced
professional soldier who understood how his troops
might be feeling. He became increasingly concerned
that his soldiers would be tempted to fraternise with the greatest danger to the morale
of the troops
the enemy during the Christmas period, and this
might have serious consequences for the war
effort overall.
This is an order he issued to try to prevent this.
Confidential memorandum
Issued to officers of the 2nd Corps by General Sir a friendly gatherin
g had taken
Horace Smith-Dorrien, 27 December 1914
This memorandum was issued
to British Officers by General
Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien
after he heard reports of the ting that any
also from illustra
Christmas Truce.
longing to
Neutral: be
neither side of
: an example
Illustrative
rest
p a th e ti c : lack of inte
A
y action:
Disciplinar
t
punishmen
The diary of Michel Toudy on the enemy and threw hand grenades.
Boche: slang for German soldier
Nauseating: sickening
Armistice: pause in the fighting
Not everyone in the trenches
wanted to take part in the truce.
Shortly before Christmas 1914, Evening in the trenches at Dixmude [] During
the night of 2425. Unusually
front line Belgian troops stopped
the German advance and held
on to a small part of their land.
This victory was a huge source
of national pride as Germany had
invaded Belgium and any victory
against the occupying force was
to be celebrated. Michel Toudy
was a Belgian soldier who fought
on the Western Front from 1914,
until he was killed by a grenade
in July 1917. In this extract from
his diary, he describes how he
felt when the fighting stopped.
is not doing this that will deliver our dear ones
and those who are under their
Regimental War Diaries with the Germans who wer into conversations
e anxious to arrange an arm
Xmas. A scout named F Me istice during
nzies went out and met a
was given a glass of whisk German patrol and
Reverence: respect
Les Braves: French for the brave men.
Reticent: shy, holding back
Previous employments: the work they had done before the war
Document held in The National Archives, number WO 95/1657
Communicate: get in touch
Source: 8 J Conflict resolution
men are mostly in their trenches. Three are out in rear of their parapets. Actual
communication with the enemy is forbidden.
soldiers themselves are probably simple minded enough about the thing but only
time will show whether there is not something behind all this and whether we have
continued overleaf
Source: 8 J Conflict resolution
2 January 1915
This is a letter from Company
Sergeant Major Fran Naden,
II Corps, 5th Division, 15th
Brigade, 6 Battalion, Cheshire.
Soldiers regularly wrote letters
home to their families about
their experiences during the
war. It was common practice,
particularly early in the war and held his hands up. Our fellow
s immediately got out of
when British newspapers were
forbidden from reporting what
was happening, for families to
pass soldiers letters to local
newspapers so that they could
be printed and read by everyone.
and wished it was over. They gre
atly admired our equipment and
haved in a
Fraternised: be
friendly, brotherly
way got an order that all communicatio
n and socialising with the
ving a fun time
Jollification: ha
n knives
Jack knives: pe
The Times,
2 January 1915
This is a letter from an unnamed
officer of III Corps, 4th Division,
11th Brigade, 1 Battalion, Rifle
Brigade, on 26 December 1914.
Soldiers regularly wrote letters
home to their families about
their experiences during the
war. It was common practice,
particularly in the early months of
the war when British newspapers
were forbidden from reporting
what was happening, for families
to pass the soldiers letters to
the local newspapers so that
they could be printed and read
by everyone.
continued overleaf
Source: 10 B English and drama I Sports activities
Bosche: slang for German
G Design a war memorial g races
K History Henley Regatta: high society event with rowin
n as a place
that takes place each year near London, know
H Moral education for high fashion and a great show
Blighters: troublesome people
The Times,
the
Aisne: the Battle of Aisne was fighting between
near the River
Germans and the British and French troops
1914 and led
Aisne in France. It started on 13 September
2 January 1915 (continued) to the digging of trenches that became the
Western Front
chat. They gave our fellows cigars and we gave them English
groups.
for the
back but was told they wanted a truce
th that.
day to bury their dead, so I agreed wi
a smart
After ordering half the men to keep
forward
look out in the trenches [] I went
and joined the crowd.
ll and
I met a Saxon who talked English we
who interpreted for me []
on
I said if they would have an armistice
at
A burial party of the 42nd
Division. Groups of soldiers
New Years Day we would play them
were occupied digging graves football between our lines []
for the fallen.
Source: 13 C Write a truce diary
H Moral education
their
hu nd re d on th e other pointed at
ory and a few
Narrative: st heads. beer, and
on: brotherly en two barrels of
Fraternisati T he y ga ve ou r m
aking friends
-beef.
behaviour, m a few tins of bully
nned we threw across the trench duri
es ng the
army food, ti ag ed y in
Bully-beef: We ha d a tr g on.
king etc was goin
beef time the hand-sha r strict
rdinary soldie
rs ars disobeyed ou
Regulars: o One of the Regul
d above
o rp o ra l: a soldier ranke mediately replie
d, and
C
The Germans im
a private several
tt a li o n : an army unit of
Ba e of our
hundred me
n
tu na te ly, th is happened to be on
Unf or . He
w ho w as sh ot through the head
corporal s,
urs.
died within 24 ho with the
e fact connected
A most regr bl et ta
others
ir w as th at he has other three br
affa a most
and it must have
in this battalion,
fect on them.
disheartening ef Photo reproduced with thanks to John Krijnen
Source: 16 C Write a truce diary
J Conflict resolution
K History
after midnight.
continued overleaf
Source: 17 A Introductory activity
K History
for years. []
continued overleaf
the Western
ipi ng : sni per s target and shoot individual soldiers. On
Sn d and kept
d themselves in No Mans Lan
Source: 17 A Introductory activity Fro nt, the
for
y oft
ene
en
my
cam
sol
oufl
die
age
rs heads appearing above the
parapet. This
wa tch it.
so dangerous to look over
K History was one reason why it was
nch,
dbags at the top of the tre
Loopholes: a gap in the san we d sol die rs to look out
etim es fitte d wit h a ste el plate, which allo
som
ng their heads.
of the trench without exposi
25 December 1915
(continued)
I was surprised at the good English some of them
end it either
Frank R Wray and With the approach of
in or near th e tre nc he
Chris
s.
tm as it be ca me cle ar that we should sp
rmal watch [] It so
on
Reproduced with the kind permission of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum.
Mass o
Source: 20 A Introductory activity fs
of soldie oldiery: a big
rs group
G Design a war memorial Melee:
a jumble
of peop
le
I Sports activities
Ernie Williams: Christmas Eve the Germans we Ernie Williams: Cigarettes, goodies from Christmas Presenter: In what sort of spirit was the football
could hear singing. We guessed they were Christmas parcels, and what have you. match played?
carols. Presenter: How did the football come about? Ernie Williams: Everybody seemed to be enjoying
Presenter: No shooting? Ernie Williams: Of course there was a mass of themselves. There was no sort of ill-will between.
Ernie Williams: No, no, no shooting at all. We never people there. It appeared from somewhere and I There was some of them that could speak English of
fired a shot. Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. And it didnt know where. It came from their side, it wasnt the Germans, I dont think there was many of our side
went on for two or three days. Mind you the officers, from our side where the ball came. that could speak German.
when we starting swarming over the trench tried to Presenter: It was a proper football? Presenter: Was there a referee?
rush us back. They didnt want some of them Get Ernie Williams: Oh, no referee. No you didnt need a
back you fools, and all that sort of thing, but we Ernie Williams: It was a proper football yes, and they
kicked it about. They made like goals and one fellow referee for that sort of a game.
didnt take any notice.
went in goal and then it was a general kickabout. Presenter: Do you remember what the score was in
Presenter: So how did that meeting come about in the football?
No Mans Land? Presenter: How many people were taking part, do
you think? Ernie Williams: Oh, there was no score. No tally at
Ernie Williams: Well, all I can tell you is this. That all. It was simply a melee. Nothing like the soccer you
when I looked over the top of the trench I could see Ernie Williams: Well, it was at least a couple of
hundred. see on television actually, oh no. The boots you wore
in the distance, in the mist, about four or five figures was a menace. You know, the great big boots you
assembled and gradually they swarmed out of the Presenter: Did you kick the ball? had on. In those days the balls were made of leather
trenches on both sides and soon it was a mass of Ernie Williams: Oh yes, I had a go at it. I was pretty and they got very soggy.
soldiery in No Mans Land. good then, at nineteen (laughs).
Presenter: Exchanging cigarettes?
regimental history
German soldiers
Lieutenant Johannes
Niemann was a German
soldier. He wrote a
history of his regiment The night [Christmas Eve] was crystal clear There were joyous scenes everywhere. []
and returned to visit then one Scotsman dragged along a
the areas he fought in with burning lights above the trenches and the football a proper football match began to
English started shooting under the impression evolve with caps laid down for goals. []
throughout his life. it was a trick. Once they realised it was a One of us had a camera on him. Both sides
After that not a single shot was heard all night. neat rows, the football in the middle []
They even started singing Christmas songs over the game ended 3:2 to Fritz []
their side [] Our Lancers had soon realised during the
course of the kick-about that the Scotsmen
the dugout and announced that friend and werent wearing any underwear under
foe were outside together moving between the their kilts, so that their backsides were
trenches. A glance over their side and it looked clearly visible the moment the kilt began
like all our Christmases had come at once! []
Was peace suddenly supposed to have broken The Battalion Commander soon came up.
out? What was to be done? After a brief pause
for thought, I and everyone else ran to join in. suddenly snapped and the peace was once
[] more broken. []
Photo of People everywhere were shaking hands. Opposite
Johannes Niemann us were Scotsmen. Everyone swapped anything
Lieutenant Zehmischs
diary (German original) 24.12.1914
Heiliger Abend und dann Weihnachtsfest!
Ich werde diese 2 Tage dieses Kriegsjahres nie vergessen!
[...]
Lieutenant Zehmisch fought
Schon um 6 Uhr stellten wir zum Abrcken in den
for the German army on the Schtzengraben. Wir haben zunehmenden Mond. Es ist
Western Front from 1914. He kept sternenklare Mondnacht. Das erste Mal seit langer Zeit. Es
a personal diary during the war. Beginnt auch wieder zu gefrieren. [...]
In this extract he describes the Ich habe meinen Leuten befohlen, dass heute am Heiligen
Christmas Truce, how news of it Abend [] kein Schuss von unserer Seite abgegeben wird,
wenn es zu umgehen ist. []
spread in the trenches and how
Soldat Mckel von meinem Zug, der mehrere Jahre in
an informal football match was England gewesen war, und ich rufen die Englnder auf
played. This is the original text in englisch an und bald hatte sich zwischen uns eine ganz
German. spaige Unterhaltung entwickelt. Wir wollten uns auf
halbem Weg zwischen unseren Stellungen, treffen und
Zigaretten austauschen. Dann rief der Englnder nach
unserem Schtzengraben herber: I wish you a merry
Christmas and a happy New Year, worauf ich ihm und
seinen Kameraden im Schtzengraben erwiderte: Thank
you very much, I wish you the same!
Darauf brllte[n die ] Englander in dem englischen
Schtzengraben den Gru und Wunsch gemeinsam
herber mit dem Versprechen, heute und morgen nicht zu
continued overleaf
Source: 22 E Languages
Lieutenant Zehmischs
diary (German original) schieen. Jetzt stellten wir auf unserem kilometerlangen
Schtzengraben noch mehr Kerzen auf als vorher. Wir
25.12.1914
Frh bei Tagesanbruch wnschten wir uns Guten
Morgen. Von uns nherten sich bald einzelne Leute den
Englndern, die in gewisser Entfernung von unserem
Schtzengraben auf uns warteten. Als ich das sah,
ging ich auch hinber und begrte die Englander []
mit denen ich mich auf englisch, franzosichsch und
deutsch kstlich unterhielt! [...] Bald hatten auch ein paar
Englnder einen Fuball aus ihrem Graben gebracht und
ein eifriges Fussballwettspiel begann. [...] Ich sagte ihnen,
dass wir auch am 2. Feiertag nicht schieen mochten. Sie
waren auch damit einverstanden.
A photo of
Lieutenant
Zehmisch in
his trench
Photo and text Reproduced with the kind permission of Rudolf Zehmisch.
Source: 23 B English and drama I Sports activities
E Languages J Conflict resolution
G Design a war memorial K History
Lieutenant Zehmischs
diary 24.12.1914
Christmas Eve and, then celebration! I will never forget
these two days of the war!
Lieutenant Zehmisch fought
At 6pm we are ready to take up our positions in our trench.
for the German army on the There is a crescent moon. It is a clear night, we can see the
Western Front from 1914. He
kept a personal diary during the again.
war. In this extract he describes []
the Christmas Truce, how news
today on Christmas Eve if it can be at all avoided. []
of it spread in the trenches and
Private Mckel from my platoon, who used to live in
how an informal football match England for several years, and I call out to the Brits in
was played. This is an English
translation. develops between us. We decide to meet up half-way [], and
today or tomorrow. []
continued overleaf
Source: 23 B English and drama I Sports activities
E Languages J Conflict resolution e
e edge of th
Parapet: th s to
G Design a war memorial K History trench, it w
as dangero
u
look over it
Lieutenant Zehmischs
diary (continued) Now we put up even more candles on our [] trench than
before. [] We sing all kinds of carols and songs []
[] Christmas trees with burning candles have been put up
on the parapet []
25.12.1914
Early, at daybreak, we wish each other a good morning.
[]
Soon, men from our side approach the Brits, who are waiting
some distance from our trenches.
When I see this, I go over, too, and greet the Brits, [] with
whom I have a delightful conversation in English, French
and German!
[]
Soon, some of the Brits bring over a football from their
trenches and a vigorous football match begins. []
They agree.
A photo of Lieutenant
Zehmisch in his trench and a
watercolour portrait of him.
Photo, painting and text reproduced with the kind permission of Rudolf
Zehmisch. Text translated by Anne Bostanci.
Source: 24 C Write a truce diary
H Moral education
K History
Walther Stenness
account
Walther Stennes was a
German infantry officer from
191418, who talked about his
experiences in the trenches and
how, in 1914, he was opposite
Indian army trenches fighting
with the British. There were a
number of Indian troops fighting
as part of the British Empire
on the Western Front from the
autumn of 1914. The Garhwal
Rifles fraternised with the 16th
(3rd Westphalian) Regiment near
Spontaneous: unplanned
Richebourg. This account was Dugout: an underground sle
eping space dug into the sid
e
Ohe ohe, look out the sepoys called out after him.
Go ahead! Go ahead! Lalu spurred him on and even
gave a shove to his heavy buttocks so that Dhayan
Singh was on top.
After months of shells and grenades, rifle and
machine gun fire, this simple antic of fat Dhayan
Singh made them laugh. [...] And for a moment they Two wounded Ghurkha
seem to have caught the contagion of innocent soldiers recovering at a
humanity hanging in the air. military hospital.
BZbd^ghd[Eg^cXZ:gchi=Z^cg^X]KdcHVX]hZ
(German original)
Saxon Prince Ernst Heinrich
fought in the First World War and Charly, der Englnder, blieb vor unserem Graben stehen und grsste
was in the trenches at Christmas
1914. He wrote his memoirs after begegneten. Ich begrsste ihn mit Good morning, was er mit Good
morning, Sir, beantwortete. Dann sagte er: Please come on. Dieser
the war and explains here what
happened during the truce. In sich in dieser Rolle.
this extract he describes visiting
the British trenches. This is the
original German text.
genauso aussah wie unserer, war eine Leiter aufgestellt, auf der wir
in den feindlichen Graben hinunterstiegen. Wir sahen mehrere
war. Wir besichtigten einen englischen Unterstand, der sich von den
unseren nicht unterschied. Auch die obligaten Mdchenbilder an der
Wand fehlten nicht. Man bot uns Zigaretten an, und ein Englnder
ehrlich gemeint.
Source: 27 E Languages
H Moral education
K History
KdcHVX]hZ
region of
Saxony, c
Dresden a pital
into the enemys trench. We saw several soldiers and sergeants, but no
would be far better to play football, our regiment against yours. This
was typically English and no doubt it was meant in good faith.
superior,
The shortest effect I can give of the impression I had was that our men,
rous
nch, ve ry dange
of the tre
: the top
Parapet
ver
to look o t or argu
ment after
a no isy fi g h Two or three of the Boches seemed to be particularly interested in me, and
Fracas: e rman sold
ier
g fo r G nner
lan
Boche: s ly o r p le asant ma
s
d
y: a frien ing friend
Genialit g b ro th erly, mak
in
ising: be
Fratern
continued overleaf
These devils, I could see, all wanted to be friendly; but none of them possess
ed the
a large camera. I posed in a mixed group for several photographs, and have
ever
Slowly the meeting began to disperse; a sort of feeling that the authorities
on both
sides were not very enthusiastic about this fraternising seemed to creep across
the
was a bit of an amateur hairdresser in civil life, cutting the unnaturally long
hair
Photo reproduced with the kind permission of the National Football Museum.
With thanks to David Barber, Football Association
Source: 40 M Propaganda and football
An Appeal to
Good Sportsmen
This poster from the Football
Association encourages young
sportsmen to join the army.
Source: 42 M Propaganda and football
Daily Express,
19 October 1914
OLD FOOTBALLS WA
N TED
Lieut Quartermaster Bone
who is with the
Express to appeal to its
readers for some
old footballs for his men
.
Yes remember that story
of the British
Chromolithograph recruiting
poster by unknown artist,
published by the Publicity
Department, Central London
Recruiting Depot, 1914.
Source: 46 D Footballers who fought in the war
L Find a footballer
Photograph from
the 1909 FA Cup
Final where Sandy
Turnball scored
Source: 46 D Footballers who fought in the war
L Find a footballer
Photograph of the brandy bottle reproduced with the kind permission of the Museums of the Royal Irish Regiment.
Source: 49 B English and drama
Group of Saxons
from the 134th
Saxon Regiment
who took part in the
truce
Group of Saxons who
took part in the truce
and a trench
Sketch of a trench
periscope drawn by a
German soldier, Karl
Knig
Source: 53 K History
My dug-out: a lay
of the trenches
in
Keeping his hand
Reproduced with kind permission of the Deputy Keeper of Records, Public Record Office of Northern Ireland. Reference number LA/20/50/GA.
Further Resources
Below is a selection of some useful resources for exploring the
Christmas Truce and the role of football in the First World War more
widely, including museums, websites and books.
MUSEUMS: Manchester United FC Museum (Old Trafford, Football Clubs may be able to help you find out
Several museums have information and Manchester): www.manutd.com/en/visit-old-trafford/ more. Also see www.premierleague.com,
collections relating to the First World War and museum-and-stadium-tour/welcome.aspx www.football-league.co.uk, www.thefa.com
the football truce. Among them are: Chelsea FC Museum (Stamford Bridge, Regimental museums near you can be a great
The Imperial War Museum: www.iwm.org.uk London): www.chelseafc.com/stadium-tours-info/ source of information about the First World War in
The National Football Museum: article/2556087/title/about-the-tours--museum general. Below are some regimental museums that
www.nationalfootballmuseum.com Arsenal FC Museum (Emirates Stadium, London): hold displays or artefacts which specifically relate to
An exhibition on football in the First World War opens www.arsenal.com/history/the-arsenal-museum the Christmas Truce:
in December 2014. The London Irish Rifles Museum has a football
Westminster Archives holds information about
The National Army Museum: www.nam.ac.uk Walter Tull: www.westminster.gov.uk/archives that was kicked ahead of the regiments attack at
the battle of Loos, 1915: www.londonirishrifles.com/
The National Memorial Arboretum: The Surrey History Centre has information about museum
www.thenma.org.uk football and the Somme: www.surreycc.gov.uk/
recreation-heritage-and-culture/archives-and-history/ The Surrey Infantry Museum has
The Scottish National Football Museum information about football and the Somme:
(Hampden Park, Glasgow): surrey-history-centre
www.queensroyalsurreys.org.uk/new_museum/
www.scottishfootballmuseum.org.uk The Bodelwyddan Castle Museum and the new_museum.shtml
In Flanders Fields Museum (Ypres, Belgium): National Museum of Wales will have a special
exhibition on the Christmas Truce between January The Prince of Wales Royal Regiment and
www.inflandersfields.be/en Queens Regiment Museum has information about
and March 2015: www.bodelwyddan-castle.co.uk and
Wrexham Museum service holds the Welsh www.museumwales.ac.uk football and the Somme: www.royalwelsh.org.uk/
Football Collection: www.wrexham.gov.uk/english/ regimental-museum-of-the-royal-welsh.shtml
heritage/welsh_football
Further Resources
The Green Howards Museum: The Commonwealth War Graves Commission The Institute of Education
www.greenhowards.org.uk www.cwgc.org www.centenarybattlefieldtours.org
Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Museum (Royal Learning resources, virtual cemetery and CWGC sites Additional teaching resources
Warwickshire): www.warwickfusiliers.co.uk The Royal British Legion The Bruce Bairnsfather Society
Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum: www.britishlegion.org.uk www.brucebairnsfather.org.uk
www.rwfmuseum.org.uk The British Library Dick, Kerr Ladies FC 1917-1965
You can find other regimental museums here: www.bl.uk www.dickkerrladies.com
www.armymuseums.org.uk The National Archives The pioneering womens football team in which
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Florrie Redford played
Remember the World as well as the War:
http://www.britishcouncil.org/organisation/ The Europeana Collection The Christmas Truce 1914 Operation Plum
publications/remember-the-world www.europeana-collections-1914-1918.eu Pudding
A British Council publication highlighting the truly www.christmastruce.co.uk/
The Glory Days Letters from local papers
global nature of the conflict and its lasting legacy http://www.cwgc.org/glorydays/flash.html
MORE FIRST WORLD WAR RESOURCES AND Football in the First World War Spartacus Educational
ACTIVITIES FOR SCHOOLS www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
World War One Playing the Game History with illustrations and primary sources
British Council Schools Online www.ww1playingthegame.org.uk
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org Educational resources based on the childrens book The First World War Centenary
Resources to help your students explore the world War Game by Michael Foreman www.1914.org
beyond their classroom Local events taking place for Centenary
Crossing the White Line commemorations
British Council First World War Resources for www.crossingthewhiteline.com
EFL/ESOL Students Explores the life of Walter Tull, professional footballer Royal Shakespeare Company
www.teachingenglish.org.uk/world-war-1 and soldier in the First World War www.rsc.org.uk/whats-on/the-christmas-truce
New play about the Christmas Truce
The Imperial War Museum Football and Peace
www.iwm.org.uk www.childrensfootballalliance.com/football-and- Our Friends, the Enemy
peace www.ourfriendstheenemy.com
Commemorates the truce and celebrates peace One man show about the Christmas Truce
through play/sports
A small selection of further reading
Ali, J.: Our Boys: The Great War in a Lancashire Village,
Landy Publishing, 2007
Bell, M.: Red, White and Khaki, Peak publish, 2011
Brown, M. and Seaton, S.: The Christmas Truce, Pan
Books, 1994
Foley, M.: Hard as Nails, Spellmount, 2007
Hamilton, A. and Read, A.: Meet at Dawn, Unarmed,
Dene House, 2009 (www.meetatdawnunarmed.co.uk)
Harris, C. and Whipple, J.: The Greater Game, Pen &
Sword, 2008
Harris, E.: The Footballer of Loos, The History Press,
2007
Jacobs, B.: The Dick, Kerrs Ladies, Robinson, 2004
Jenkins, S.: They Took the Lead, DDP, 2005
Lewis-Stempel, J.: Six Weeks, Weidenfeld & Nicholson,
2010
Myerson, G.: Fighting for Football, Aurum, 2009
Riddoch A. and Kemp, J.: When the Whistle Blows,
Haynes, 2011
Tate, T.: Girls with Balls, John Blake, 2013
K^\cZh!H#/Lost in France, Stadia, 2007
Weintraub, S.: Silent Night: The Story of the World War
I Christmas Truce, The Free Press, 2001
Acknowledgements
The Football Remembers pack Amongst the many individuals who contributed
we would like to thank History Advisor Dr. Emma
has been created with generous Hanna and Education Advisor Emma Till. Iain Adams,
support from many individuals Jonathan Ali, Simone Bacchini, William Campbell, Piet
Chielens, Michael Cox, Peter Daniel, Santanu Das,
and organisations and we would Roger Davies, Greg Demetriou, Dominiek Dendooven,
like to express our thanks to Drew de Soto, Paul Docherty, Phil Dorward, Andrew
Hamilton, Patricia Hannam, Peter Hannon, Martyn
everyone who has supported Heather, Kathy Holvoet, Steve Jenkins, Paul Kennedy,
and advised us. Rowan Kennedy, John Krijnen, Jonathon Riley,
Debbie McDonnell, Gerard Murray, Robert Sullivan,
Our special thanks to the British Library, In Flanders EVjaIVnadg"=daaVcY!6Yg^VckVc@aVkZgZc!I^bK^cZ!
Fields Museum, the Institute of Education, the @aVjhKZghX]ZjgZ!H^YKdaiZg!BVg`LVgWn!VcY6a^hdc
National Football Museum, the National Memorial Willmott also supported the project.
Arboretum and the Imperial War Museum.
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8gdbeidcVcYK^X`n<dj\]#
Notes
http://schoolsonline.
britishcouncil.org/
football-remembers
#FootballRemembers
http://schoolsonline.britishcouncil.org/
football-remembers