EXPERIENCE the legendary First World War Christmas truce through the eyes of a Portland soldier.

The diary entries of Portland soldier Regimental Sergeant Major George Beck will be unveiled online for the first time this week, revealing an eyewitness account of the World War One Christmas truce of 1914.

The account of the legendary World War One Christmas truce of 1914 will be unveiled online for the first time this week.

RSM Beck was serving on the Western front when the British and German armies called a ceasefire and came together to exchange gifts, play football and sing carols.

His diaries, which are held at the Dorset History Centre, provide a first-hand account of the extraordinary event.

Writing on December 24, he said: “Germans shout over to us and ask us to play them at football, and also not to fire and they would do likewise.

“At 2am (25th) a German Band went along their trenches playing "Home Sweet Home" and "God Save the King" which sounded grand and made everyone think of home.”

On December 25 he added: “Christmas Day. Not one shot was fired. English and German soldiers intermingled and exchanged souvenirs. “Germans very eager to exchange almost anything for our "Bully Beef" and jam.”

RSM Beck served on the Western Front for the whole of the 1914-18 conflict, and was awarded the Military Cross in April 1918.

His granddaughter Caroline Milverton, who lives on Portland, said: “As my grandfather did not expect his diaries to be read by anyone other than himself or his family if he died while fighting, he had no reason to write anything but the facts; the Christmas Truce 1914 was a remarkable event.”

The centre hosts the joint archives service run by Bournemouth Borough Council, Dorset County Council and the Borough of Poole.

Cllr Colin Jamieson, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for community services, said: “The Christmas truce of 1914 has passed into folklore, and this year those events are particularly resonant.

“To view it through the eyes of a solider from Dorset, who was actually there, is quite remarkable.

“As with so many other things from our past, the Dorset History Centre has helped bring it to life.”

All of the diary entries are available to view at news.dorsetforyou.com/rsm-beck-diary and on Twitter @RSM_GBeck.