 An eyewitness account of one truce , by Llewelyn Wyn Griffith , recorded that after a night of exchanging carols , dawn on Christmas Day saw a " rush of men from both sides ... [ and ] a feverish exchange of souvenirs " before the men were quickly called back by their officers , with offers to hold a ceasefire for the day and to play a football match . It came to nothing , as the brigade commander threatened repercussions for the lack of discipline , and insisted on a resumption of firing in the afternoon . Another member of Griffith 's battalion , Bertie Felstead , later recalled that one man had produced a football , resulting in " a free @-@ for @-@ all ; there could have been 50 on each side " , before they were ordered back . 
