HERE’S a timely moment of reflection ahead of Christmas Day on Thursday.

Thanks to John Wilkinson, of Blenheim Road, Weymouth, for sharing these recollections with us.

His grandfather Chas Wallace was involved in the game of football between the Allied and German troops in No Man’s Land on Christmas Day in the First World War – a rare moment of peace in the conflict.

John’s grandad exchanged a tin of bully beef for a German’s cigar.

Chas Wallace kept the cigar and gave it to John, who still has it today.

John wanted to share his grandad’s memories of that day – who wrote a letter from the frontline.

Chas Wallace, who served with the 2nd Battalion Gordon Highlanders, said in the letter: “A Christmas that I will never forget is one I spent in the trenches in 1914.

“The right half battalion ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies were occupying trenches near Fleurbaix, with the German trenches only 75 yards away.

“On the night of the 24th December the question was ‘will there be fighting tomorrow?’ “The Germans sang Silent Night and we retaliated with Scottish songs.

“We were then engaged in ‘vocal warfare’.

“The following morning, Sgt W Reid, to test the Christmas spirit, exposed himself and was immediately shot by a sniper and died of his wounds.

“This was the last casualty for several days.

“At 8am Pte Murray was on ‘look out’ and excitedly exclaimed ‘Sergeant, the Germans are coming over’. They were, large numbers of them.

“The officer commanding, Mr TA Letters, a Glasgow officer, went towards the Germans and a truce was held.

“I exchanged a tin of bully beef for a cigar which I still have.

“LCpl McNoy and Pte Howell went into German trenches and were shaved by a German who had been a hairdresser in civilian life.

“All over No Man’s Land, men who for months had been bitterly fighting each other were engaged in hand-shaking, conversing and exchanging souvenirs.

“I soon was on friendly terms with a sergeant who informed me he was a member of the 55th Bavarians.

“The truce expired on the morning of January 3 1915.

“A volley was fired so we all knew the position, so it ceased to be ‘Quiet on the Western Front’”

John recently attended a service of remembrance at Dorchester Town Football Club followed by a match between the Magpies and an Army side.

He said: “I found it very moving because my grandfather was there.”

Thanks to John for sharing this touching account with us.