Saskatoon mayor shares Christmas truce story from First World War

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark stopped by 650 CKOM Tuesday to share a story about how the Christmas Spirit prevailed during one of the most violent events in human history.

During the First World War, the rifle fire and shelling often stopped at Christmas time in what became known as Christmas truces. Clark’s great grandfather, Charles Frederick Ritchie, took part in one of the unofficial ceasefires while serving with the 24th Battalion of the Victoria Rifles.

Clark said a book which tracked his battalion’s movements through Europe during the war, tells the story of Christmas 1915. Near the village of Kemmel in Belgium, Canadian and German soldiers lay down their arms and climbed out of their trenches to exchange holiday greetings and gifts in no-man’s-land.

“For nearly an hour the unofficial peace was prolonged,” Clark said, reading from the account which was passed on to him from his grandfather. “The Canadians presented the Germans with cigarettes and food receiving in exchange buttons, badges and several bottles of the most excellent beer.”

According to the story, the temporary truce was ended once news of it spread to commanding officers. Clark said it’s amazing how a moment of peace emerged amidst such fierce fighting.

“In the pages before and after this there was snipers shooting people through the heart and head,” Clark said. “It was a vicious battle, but some how they broke that down and saw each others humanity for Christmas afternoon.”

The truces were not as widespread that year after strong orders on both sides prohibiting them.

Listen to Clark’s full story with guest host Gerald Bauman.