The 1914 Xmas Truce - Frelinghien Memorial

Fleurdelys · 18-11-2008, 08:19

Thanks to the 1st bn Royal Welsh for your coming here on the banks of Lys at the brewery spot of Christmas Truce 1914 , to Unveil the Frelinghien Memorial on the former no man's land where soldiers shook hands .That was a great pleasure to see all the Retired and young soldiers from Wales ,Germany , Netherlands with witnesses families Holmes and Stocwell , Von Sinner and the French Prime Minister'wife Penelope Fillon attentive to your coming . A very beautiful day at 60th of Prince Charles ! Many Thanks to you all ! Great Day for you and our village !

Fleurdelys · 18-11-2008, 13:19

Col Sir Geoffrey INKIN and Suzy , Major Miles STOCKWELL and Ms my new friends ,your smiles already miss me !, Ms Margaret HOLMES -Great person - and family , all my friends from Wales , time was too short !!! How pleasant was that Holly Day ! May your dears rest in Peace and God bless them
I send photos to Mr Brian OWEN from Caernarfon Museum
Poppies and lilies from the LYS

**jungle1810** · 18-11-2008, 22:23

Hello Fleurdelys,
As a member of the RWFCA comrades, it was lovely to see the hospitality and friendship shown by all the people at this truce celebration. I had a most enjoyable time whilst on this trip. My thanks and by definition the Bridgend branch of the RWFCA for a truly remarkable couple of days.
"Don" aka R. Donovan Sec Bridgend branch RWFCA

**ap1** · 18-11-2008, 23:44

Any chance of those who attended publishing some pictures of the event. I'm especially interested in Maj Miles Stockwell, namesake of the great man from The War The Infantry Knew, his relative was a tough but great leader and described in detail(Mad Jack) in Seigfried Sassoons book Memoirs of An Infantry officer, and also Frank Richards book OSND. Can we get him on the site!

**Scouse75** · 19-11-2008, 00:21

What a nice post! Definately looking forward to the photo's. What a great gesture in attending there. Was there any media coverage of this worthwhile event?

**jungle1810** · 19-11-2008, 13:06

Hello All.
Al I will send a disc to either Bob or you taken by our branch photographer, Gwyn Jones he does a wonderful job for our branch he takes photos of weddings and the disc contains some 280 pics of this event. I will try and put the names etc of all I can. I have details of the people you want info on. I will send you or Bob a PM on all I have on the persons mentioned.I have also been promised a disc from the official Army photographer who attended this function.Lt Ray Parfect has also promised me a disc of the event as he recorded it, this will be sent to Wrexham and forwarded to me.When these discs arrive I will forward all three to the forum asap.I printed a flyer for every one on our bus to commemorate this event and all expressed their thanks to me for copies.I also had some photos taken of Peter Knight (the son of Graham Knight ) with a member of the Worcestershire Regt Peter Of course represents the RWF circa 1914 to 1918 and all were kitted out in the Great War uniforms. I also had a photo of a German who represents the 2nd Jager battalion he was also in the correct uniform of the Great War.I intend to put these photos on my web site but to expedite matters I will let the forum have them to publish, I did take the precaution of asking all and sundry whilst we were all together if any one minded me using these photos for my site. Colonel Peter Cox replied "Publish and be damned" this of course is a reference to the Iron Duke when some one attempted to blackmail him over an indiscretion.So this quote means we are OK to go ahead.On Margaret Holmes officially opening the event we had a lady one Penelope Fillon who is from Caerphiily and married to a french VIP she came and had a word with us. The French Mayor presented our bus with botles of beer and wine plus two percussion shell caps per person, I told Swansea Dai to clean his by the fire due to the inclement weather in the Swansea area I have not heard a bang yet, More later. I have 3 French news papers of this event and several hand outs from the RWF Officers Association.
Regards Don

**jungle1810** · 19-11-2008, 16:24

Hello Scouse,
There were some Continental News men present but to the best of my knowledge none from the UK as per usual. I am posting the details of the opening ceremony
Programme -Frelinghein-11/11/2008

RWF Association visit to Frelinghein.

09-45 Mass in L'Eglise St Amand FRELINGHEIN ( optional )

10-20 Arrive Frelinghein War Memorial.

11-00 laying of wreaths at War Memorial ( Sir Geoffrey Inkin for RWF.)

One minutes silence

Walk to Truce Memorial site on Rue d'Armentieres about 700 metres

11-25 Arrive at Truce Memorial

11-39 Speech by the Maire M. Micharl Pacaux.

Inauguration of Truce Memorial unveiling by Mrs Margaret Holmes.
(Daughter of Pte Frank Richards, D.C.M. & M.M.)

11-40 Laying of wreaths by Lt/Col Joachim Freiherr VON SINNER and Major Miles Stockwell and others.

National Anthems.

11-50 Short discourses by Mrs Margaret Holmes
Lt/Col Nicholas Lock R.W.F.
Major SCHERNER.
Lt/Col JEAN- PIERRE DESURE.

Sonnerie aux Mortes (Roll call of the dead)

2 Minutes silence

1202 MARSEILLESE

Vin d'Honneur in La salle a Fetes (200 Metres)
Vote of thanks from Dr JOHN KRIJNEN.7 M BERNARD COUSIN.

Lunch with compliments of the Mayor.

14-30 approx FGootball match between teams from the 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers,and 371 PanzergrenadiersBattalion (Marienberger Jager)

16-30 approx R.W.F. Association rerturn to Novotel Hotel.18-45 Coach leaves Novotel for La Howardine dinner /supper meal.

21-30 Coach returns to Novotel (must be parked up by10-30 hours.)

Regards Don.

Fleurdelys · 20-11-2008, 19:38

Hello

FRELINGHIEN
Photos are on the road of The Castle towards Bryan Owen and ..
NEWS from papers on ( and later more ):
www.christmastruce.co.uk excellent site of Allan and Lesley !
Thanks to you all !
We still are :gossip: about that Great Day !
On 11 december CHRISTMAS TRUCE songs
in Rosehill Theatre Whitehaven Cumbria !