Tidings Of Comfort And Joy

Christmas Day dawned just like any other for the men of the 2nd and 4th Battalions in the front line on the continent.
A routine of trench duties had begun some months before when static warfare began. Luckily enough for the 2nd Battalion, Christmas Day saw them in billets in the Belgian village of Westoutre.
At home, the 3rd Battalion were having a slightly more festive time. After breakfast, the entire Battalion, then some 800 strong, marched behind the Band of the Battalion to a church parade at St. John’s Church, Felixstowe.
At lunchtime, the CO; Lieutenant-Colonel Massey-Lloyd, accompanyied by his second in command, Major F.S. Cooper, toured the dining halls of 'C,' 'K,' 'L,' 'O' and 'R' Company’s, before paying a visit to the newly created Suffolk Soldiers Rest Home in the town (above) where two of it's inhabitants were recovering from wounds received at Le Cateau.
Perhaps the highlight of the day was the presentation to Mrs Massey-Lloyd of a diamond and gold brooch in the style of the Crest of the Regiment by the Warrant Officers and Sergeants of the Battalion. After Dinner, the message from H.M. the King was read aloud to all ranks. “It evoked a very hearty outburst of loyalty and devotion from everyone" wrote the Bury Press, "the predominant note being one of absolute confidence in ultimate and complete victory.” 
The sentiment for victory was still there after five months of being in the back foot. The men hoped that 1915 might bring them victory.

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