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Ninety-three year old letter tells of horrors of war

6:26pm Friday 14th December 2007

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A 93-year-old letter discovered in a Hampshire attic and written by a soldier during the First World War has told how his own side arrested him as a German spy.

The four-page letter from 24-year-old Second Lieutenant Trevor Bird to his father was penned on Christmas Day 1914, and described the horrific life on the muddy battlefields of the Western Front.

The letter was sent to his home in Guernsey and was recently found in a trunk of family documents at a house in Milford-on-Sea.

Second Lieutenant Bird later rose to become Col Bird, and died 15-years ago in his 102nd year.

Now his grandson, 49-year-old ex-Guardsman Stephen Birley, is trying to find out more about where his grandfather was serving when he wrote the letter, of which he has a copy.

Mr Birley, from Bradninch, near Exeter, Devon, said today that his aunt, Pat Bird, who lives in Milton-on-Sea had the original letter after discovering it in her attic.

In the letter, the young officer described how he had been having a ''a fairly hairy time'' since December 20, 1914 as he was dug into trenches.

Mr Birley, who stayed with his grandfather when he lived in Bradninch, said he did not mention the ceasefire when opposing sides played football - one of the most famous stories to have come out of the conflict.

"They did not all play football. Where he was they did not have a ceasefire, because he did not mention it," said Mr Birley.

The letter also described how a controversial bayonet attack ordered on the German trenches was "a criminal order on the part of the man who ordered it".

He also wrote of spending 26 hours up to his waist in water, then being sent out on patrol and expected to fight.

When he reached British trenches he wrote: "To cap all my troubles, I was arrested as a German spy.

"It was not until I was taken before the CO with a rifle muzzle in the small of my back that I was allowed to depart," he said.

He also spoke of suffering from "a pair of feet like balloons and an attack of neuritis and chill" after a 25-mile march.

"Well we get well paid so mustn't complain I suppose," he wrote.

Mr Birley said: "It is an amazing story, but the dear old man never talked about it. It is a shame he did not."

"It is a diamond of a letter that says so much about our forefathers," he added.


Your Say YourThis is Hampshire

molly bennett, southampton says...
10:31pm Fri 14 Dec 07

what a terrible tragedy, after a life spent in the service of his country under the most appalling conditions only to find some years later that the freedoms he fought for have now been signed away in one stroke, the shame is with all those in office and all those politicians who stood by and allowed it to happen without so much as a whimper. Pity they did not have the courage of this man when the people needed them.

P. Dawkes, Germany says...
8:21am Sat 15 Dec 07

One further story which I have heard from the German side, is that that towards the end of the war, at Christmas, the opposing sides exchanged Christmas wishes.

Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
9:49am Sat 15 Dec 07

"Now his grandson, 49-year-old ex-Guardsman Stephen Birley, is trying to find out more about where his grandfather was serving when he wrote the letter, of which he has a copy".

That may be easier than he thinks. He can ask to see copies of the regimental records and those should identify where he was that day and during the day what sort of duties he may have been preforming.

I was able to trace (to within a few hundre metres) where my two Great Grandfathers were killed in France. Neither body has been recovered yet - you just look around and know they lie under some ploughed field!

King Mush, Woolston says...
4:58pm Sat 15 Dec 07

P. Dawkes wrote:
One further story which I have heard from the German side, is that that towards the end of the war, at Christmas, the opposing sides exchanged Christmas wishes.
The most well known story concerns a Xmas Day when both sides met up for a game of football, a drink, ciggies and chat.

Temporary self-arranged ceasefire before going back behind the lines and then slaughtering each other.

Crazy. Once again - thanks to the moronic politicians who were responsible. Nothing changes over the years- does it?

Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
9:24pm Sat 15 Dec 07

King Mush wrote:
P. Dawkes wrote: One further story which I have heard from the German side, is that that towards the end of the war, at Christmas, the opposing sides exchanged Christmas wishes.
The most well known story concerns a Xmas Day when both sides met up for a game of football, a drink, ciggies and chat. Temporary self-arranged ceasefire before going back behind the lines and then slaughtering each other. Crazy. Once again - thanks to the moronic politicians who were responsible. Nothing changes over the years- does it?
The story of this is well told in the 2005 film "Joyeux Noël". I saw the film and was very moved. It is available on DVD - but many are put off due to it being in English, French and German. That only adds to the interest.

And the score - that was 3-2 to Germany!

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