Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers is to auction two letters written by British Major J.P.V. Hawksley, to his sister Muriel, describing the ‘Christmas Truce‘ of 1914.
“Christmas day in our immediate front was quite extraordinary. I was at my observation post just a few yards behind the infantry advanced trenches on the afternoon of Xmas Eve. After dark our men & the Germans whose trenches were only 1 to 2 hundred yards apart sang in English Home sweet home together”.
“Then God save the King was sung by both. I don’t know what words the Germans sang to this tune. Then late on a German shouted out to the Warwicks – ‘We wont fire tomorrow if tomorrow if you dont’. Our men shouted back ‘All right'”.
A value of £3,000 – £4,000 has been placed on the lot, which is to be sold on 19th June 2013.
To read the full press release, visit the Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers website here.
Images courtesy of Bonhams Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News