Last updated at 14:46, Thursday, 30 October 2008

A couple from Whitehaven are to be guests at the unveiling of a plaque to the Christmas truce of 1914.

Researchers Alan Cleaver and Lesley Park, of Church Street, Whitehaven, have been invited to Frelinghien, France in November for the unveiling which marks the Christmas when World War One soldiers laid down their arms and met in no man’s land to shake hands, exchange gifts and even play football.

The plaque has been commissioned by historian Dr HJ Krijnen and he invited Alan and Lesley as they run the website www.christmastruce.co.uk.

Alan, deputy editor at The Whitehaven News, said: “It was a great honour to be invited. Surprisingly, there is no memorial to this remarkable event so this plaque will at last provide a focal point for all those interested in the truce.”

Honour guards will be provided by the 1st Royal Welch and the Panzergrenadier Batallion 371 Freistaat Sachsen, and their will be a re-enactment of the football match.

On Thursday, December 11 there will be a West Cumberland Choral Society concert at Rosehill Theatre, Whitehaven of carols sung during the Christmas truce, interspersed with extracts from letters written by soldiers who took part. For tickets, phone 01946 692422.

First published at 11:21, Thursday, 30 October 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk