1914 Christmas Truce Tea Towel

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Description

It is commonly thought that the First World War (or "The Great War" as it was known before the second came along) was expected to be "over by Christmas". The war had started in July 1914 and the idea of such a short duration may have been encouraged by Germany in order to incentivise the troops.

Anyway, five months later Christmas came around, yet the misery and bloodshed were grinding on. Desperate for a respite, by mutual consent troops on both sides of the Western Front strayed into no-man’s-land to exchange Christmas greetings and good cheer (even though this was frowned on by their superiors). Some played impromptu games of football. Others used the cease-fire to bury their dead. Very soon hostilities resumed. There were sporadic attempts to revive the spirit of the truce over subsequent Christmases but that initial moment of concord and hope was never to be repeated.

This image is based on an artist's imagining of the scene, published in the Illustrated London News in January 1915. The Great War was supposed to be the one that would end all wars. It didn't happen - but the Christmas Truce is a reminder that hope springs eternal.

  • Sturdy half panama unbleached US cotton (48cm x 70cm)
  • Our special inks mean that colours last in the wash
  • Includes hanging loop
  • Designed and manufactured in the UK
DELIVERY

We offer free standard UK delivery on all orders over £50.

Orders up to £30 are charged a flat fee of £4.95

Orders between £30.01 and £50 are charged a flat fee of £6.95.

Usual UK delivery timescale (excluding custom prints) is between 5 and 7 working days from the date of dispatch. Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery. For custom print delivery pricing and timescales see below. These timescales may vary especially when we have online sales and in the weeks before Christmas. Christmas 2024: The last recommended order date for UK orders is 14 December. The last recommended order date for all international orders is 23 November.

Delivery Worldwide

We can also ship most items worldwide. 

For full details, including prices, click here.

Custom Prints

Your prints and frames will be handmade by King & McGaw at their Sussex workshop.

Unframed orders are shipped within 5 working days (normally shipped next day).

Framed orders are shipped within 20 working days.

Further information on delivery timescales for custom prints can be found here.

RETURNS

If you are not completely satisfied with your item you may return it within 28 days for a refund.

For further details on returns click here.

Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on custom prints unless they are faulty or we have made a mistake. Custom prints are exempt as they are made to order.

SKU: 5060685684570

Description

It is commonly thought that the First World War (or "The Great War" as it was known before the second came along) was expected to be "over by Christmas". The war had started in July 1914 and the idea of such a short duration may have been encouraged by Germany in order to incentivise the troops.

Anyway, five months later Christmas came around, yet the misery and bloodshed were grinding on. Desperate for a respite, by mutual consent troops on both sides of the Western Front strayed into no-man’s-land to exchange Christmas greetings and good cheer (even though this was frowned on by their superiors). Some played impromptu games of football. Others used the cease-fire to bury their dead. Very soon hostilities resumed. There were sporadic attempts to revive the spirit of the truce over subsequent Christmases but that initial moment of concord and hope was never to be repeated.

This image is based on an artist's imagining of the scene, published in the Illustrated London News in January 1915. The Great War was supposed to be the one that would end all wars. It didn't happen - but the Christmas Truce is a reminder that hope springs eternal.

  • Sturdy half panama unbleached US cotton (48cm x 70cm)
  • Our special inks mean that colours last in the wash
  • Includes hanging loop
  • Designed and manufactured in the UK
DELIVERY

We offer free standard UK delivery on all orders over £50.

Orders up to £30 are charged a flat fee of £4.95

Orders between £30.01 and £50 are charged a flat fee of £6.95.

Usual UK delivery timescale (excluding custom prints) is between 5 and 7 working days from the date of dispatch. Please allow up to 14 working days for delivery. For custom print delivery pricing and timescales see below. These timescales may vary especially when we have online sales and in the weeks before Christmas. Christmas 2024: The last recommended order date for UK orders is 14 December. The last recommended order date for all international orders is 23 November.

Delivery Worldwide

We can also ship most items worldwide. 

For full details, including prices, click here.

Custom Prints

Your prints and frames will be handmade by King & McGaw at their Sussex workshop.

Unframed orders are shipped within 5 working days (normally shipped next day).

Framed orders are shipped within 20 working days.

Further information on delivery timescales for custom prints can be found here.

RETURNS

If you are not completely satisfied with your item you may return it within 28 days for a refund.

For further details on returns click here.

Unfortunately we cannot offer a refund on custom prints unless they are faulty or we have made a mistake. Custom prints are exempt as they are made to order.