Sunday Times 2
Commemorating centenary anniversary of ‘Christmas Truce’
Silent Night, Holy Night. All is calm, all is bright. For a few days in December 1914 all was calm and bright while time seemed to stop for the English and German troops on European soil, already ravaged by World War I. For many, the “Christmas Truce” as it is famously known, came back to life revamped in the form of Sainsbury’s controversial Christmas advert. The war was a mere five months old, but had already taken countless lives on both sides.
Dr. Michael Dohman, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy and British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies playing football
While countries refused to declare an official ceasefire for Christmas, many parts of Europe saw the British and German troops creating a rare moment in history, and probably one of the last acts of chivalry seen in warfare. Although it was never repeated again, the few days following Christmas Eve saw the troops on both sides exchange cigarettes and plum puddings on no man’s land. Boyish choruses of carols pervaded through the trenches while the troops even engaged in friendly games of football.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the British High Commission and German Embassy together with Sri Lanka Unites honoured the Christmas Truce on December 9 with Football Remembers. The CR & FC played host to 60 players from the British High Commission, the German Embassy and the Maldives High Commission. Joining them were youth from Jaffna, Kalmunai, Matara and Colombo. The afternoon’s matches were followed by a reception in the evening at the British High Commissioner’s residence which included carols and awards distribution for the winning team.
One of the many global events taking place in High Commissions and Consulates commemorating the Truce, it was also the first which saw the collaboration of the German Embassy and British missions.
British Deputy High Commissioner Laura Davies found herself literally getting her hands dirty as one of the few women who participated in the football. The anniversary struck a chord in her. “I remember when I was 17 watching the news of the beginning of one of the Gulf Wars,” she said, going back to the worry and fear they felt watching young men going off to battle, a sensation , she felt would have swept across any war-affected place.
The winners were awarded the Christmas Truce Harmony Cup
For Dr. Michael Dohman, the Deputy Head of Mission of the German Embassy, the story is a strong symbol still relevant today. Remarking on the spontaneity and courage of the soldiers- “It is always up to each of us to make a move,” he reflected.
For all the players – from the 16-year-olds to the oldest, aged 51, Tuesday, December 9 was unforgettable. Having never met before, language didn’t seem to be a barrier, for they were soon high fiving and sharing tactics and water with each other throughout the afternoon.
For the 20-year-old school friends Sinan and Hanaf this trip marked their second visit to Colombo from Kalmunai. “I don’t know how, but we did it,” Sinan told us, describing the initial experience of meeting his team mates just a few minutes before the match and still playing as a team. Although it was clearly a jumble of nationalities everyone seemed to work together and they were all in-sync within minutes.
For 22-year-old George Wright currently interning at the British High Commission, the event was interesting and poignant at the same time, remembering the young men who went to war, a century ago. “It’s sad for me personally because they thought they were coming home. For those 16 and 17-year-olds it was more like a sort of holiday they were going on. They never knew they wouldn’t make it back. “