6R letters from the trenches

6R have been writing letters home from soldiers in World War One, all about the famous Christmas truce and football match. Here is a section of James' letter.

Sitting in the trench, trying to protect myself from the non-stop fire of sleet and yearning for home, I was polishing my rifle when I heard a familiar tune hover over the desolate no man's land. One or two of our lads chose - despite our pleas - to peep over the parapet, but it was as deserte as ever. The singing grew louder and we realised that the savage Hun were in fact singing what revealed itself to be 'Silent Night', only in German. Shortly after, our men were singing along heartily in English to the same tune. It was a peculiar moment; it reminded me that the Hun were human too, after all, with families back at home missing them this lonely Christmas.

This morning, I was woken by the feeling of loneliness, knowing that this Christmas I wouldn't be spending it with you, my love, and my precious son Jake, the only things I have left to live for. As the stand-to grew nearer, noises from no man's land filled our trench like gas hunting down soldiers. At once, we feared for our lives. The same lads as yesterday popped their heads over the parapet, and to our amazement there were Fritzes up there! Seizing our weapons, our platoon stepped up onto the firestep, only to realise they were unarmed; rather, they were beckoning us over.