Documents

In January 1915, the North Devon Journal wrote up the experiences of a Pilton man after enlisting in the 1st Devons just before World War I broke out in July 1914. After four months training, Private Frank Norman, son of Mr and Mrs Norman of 47 Bradiford, left England for the front in November and was near Boulew when Christmas came and snow covered the ground. On Christmas morning, one of the German officers invited the Devonshires not to fire for the day and the two sides spent the day talking, exchanging cigars and cigarettes and singing. On Boxing Day, hostilities resumed. Private Norman was frostbitten and ended up in Bristol in January 1915. He returned to the war and was subsequently injured and, it is believed, died at sea on his way home to England in a hospital ship in 1916.

Many thanks to John Norman, his great nephew, for the typescript of the North Devon Journal article of February 1915.
Not sure whose image the thumbnail is but thanks for that too as it illustrates what it must have been like.