One of their men,speaking in English, mentioned that the had worked in Brighton for some years and that he was fed up to the neck with this damned war and would be glad when it was over. We told him he wasn't the only one who was fed up with it. The German commander asked Buffalo Bill if we would like a couple of barrels of beer and they brought them over to us. The officers came to an understanding that the unofficial truce would end at midnight. Just before midnight we all decided not start firing before they did. During the whole of Boxing Day we never fired a shot and they the same: each side seemed to be waiting for the other to set the ball rolling.One of their men shouted across in English and inquired how we had enjoyed the beer.We replied that we were ery grateful and spent the whole day chatting with them.That evening we were replaced by another battalion. (From Old Soldiers Never Die by Frank Richards)