Footsteps of the fallen

Plum duff and snowballs - a Great War Christmas


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It became very apparent that the war wouldn't be over by Christmas 1914 as many had hoped for, and in this special episode, we look at how soldiers in the front celebrated Christmas, and how many charitable organizations ensured that home comforts were supplied to the men at war.  From container ships of Christmas puddings to brass tins of spices, we examine what Christmas was like for men serving in and behind the lines.

We also look at Christmas on the home front, and how the sad reality of four years of War dampened Christmas cheer for those left behind.

We examine how overindulgence in alcohol caused no end of problems for London's magistrates in 1915, and settle once and for all who won the great Royal Fusiliers vs Hampshire Regiment snowball fight of Christmas 1917.  There's also no mention of football! 

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Footsteps of the fallenBy Matt Dixon