Alfred Anderson

Alfred Anderson, sited a couple of weeks ago here, has died at age 109. He was the last man alive to remember the famous Christmas Truce of 1914. You can read more of his remembrances here and here.

Walter mentions Christmas 1914 only in passing:

And at Christmas 1914, we were in a village called Kemmel, where we were found accommodation in the farmhouses and outhouses of the villagers. It was on this day that Queen Mary’s gift boxes were issued to us containing pipe and tobacco. I didn’t smoke, so I kept mine in my kit.

Then he moves on to 2nd Ypres and the gas masks.

Anyway - salute to you, Alfred Anderson. Rest in peace.