Fraternising Collection

Christmas Truce / Photo
British and German soldiers fraternising on Christmas Day abandoning their respective trenches to exchange gifts, play sports and forget the war for one day

Wwi / Xmas Truce / 1914
English & German troops fraternising on Christmas Day, chasing a hare and playing a football match (the German team won)

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ceylon (engraving)
1062161 The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ceylon (engraving) by Ralston, William (1848-1911) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ceylon)

Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Japanese and Russian soldiers fraternising
530160 Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905: Japanese and Russian soldiers fraternising.; Universal History Archive/UIG.

'The Graphic, Front Cover Saturday, August 22, 1891, 1891. Creator: William Hatherell
'The Graphic, Front Cover Saturday, August 22, 1891, 1891. "Chums" - English and French sailors on leave at a French port. From "The Graphic

Band of the 3rd French Regiment playing in H.M. Naval Yard, at Deal, 1854. Creator: Unknown
Band of the 3rd French Regiment playing in H.M. Naval Yard, at Deal, 1854. Crimean War: French military band in Kent....a deputation of gentlemen from Deal waited on the Colonel of the...French line

French Soldiers and English Sailors Fraternising at Calais, 1854. Creator: Unknown
French Soldiers and English Sailors Fraternising at Calais, 1854. Allied personnel in France before leaving to fight in the Crimean War....the soldiers crowded the cafes with which Calais abounds;

H Ms "Agamemnon"in Colombo Harbour, Ceylon (engraving)
1041178 H Ms " Agamemnon" in Colombo Harbour, Ceylon (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: H Ms " Agamemnon" in Colombo Harbour, Ceylon)

In the trenches before Mukden, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho)
2795909 In the trenches before Mukden, Russo-Japanese War (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: In the trenches before Mukden, Russo-Japanese War)

The Civil War in Spain, Republicans and Carlists fraternising during the Armistice of Somorrostro (engraving)
1058547 The Civil War in Spain, Republicans and Carlists fraternising during the Armistice of Somorrostro (engraving) by English School

The Pipe and Coffee of Peace, Boers and Britons fraternising round a Blockhouse Watch-Fire (litho)
1040663 The Pipe and Coffee of Peace, Boers and Britons fraternising round a Blockhouse Watch-Fire (litho) by Nash, Joseph (d.1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Pipe and Coffee of Peace)

The Briton Abroad, a Paper-Chase in Albania (engraving)
1045124 The Briton Abroad, a Paper-Chase in Albania (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Briton Abroad, a Paper-Chase in Albania)

The Battle of Gemaizeh, Suakin, 20 December (engraving)
1055329 The Battle of Gemaizeh, Suakin, 20 December (engraving) by Wyllie, Charles William (1853-1923); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Battle of Gemaizeh, Suakin, 20 December)

The People fraternising with the Guards at the Review in Hyde-Park (engraving)
1097605 The People fraternising with the Guards at the Review in Hyde-Park (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Irish Parliament on College Green (engraving)
1061875 The Irish Parliament on College Green (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Irish Parliament on College Green)

The Arctic Expedition, English Sailors fraternising with the Esquimaux at Godhavn (engraving)
1049303 The Arctic Expedition, English Sailors fraternising with the Esquimaux at Godhavn (engraving) by Nash, Joseph (d.1922); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Arctic Expedition)

Embarkation of French Troops in English Vessels, at Calais (engraving)
1607599 Embarkation of French Troops in English Vessels, at Calais (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Embarkation of French Troops in English Vessels)

All Germans love children, so even these tough soldiers, invading Belgium, find time to fraternise with the kiddies... and fortunately there is a photographer to record it... Date: 1914

It is a little-known fact that the Belgians were delighted when their kindly, amiable neighbours invaded their country, fraternising with them happily... Date: 1914

Christmas truce 1914
British and German soldiers fraternising on Christmas Day, 1914 during the famous Christmas truce

British soldiers (and two sailors) and locals in Istanbul. Date: 1923

French and British forces in the Dardanelles during WWI
Allied soldiers in Gallipoli during the First World War. Date: 1915

WW1 - Eastern Front - Russian and German soldiers fraternise - Christmas 1917 Date: 1917

Inter-Allied Fraternisation - British and French in Flanders
WW1 - Inter-Allied Fraternisation - The Friends of Today, not the Foes of Waterloo - British and French soldiers fraternising in Flanders. Date: 1915

Two British soldiers chat with millers daughter, WW1
Two British soldiers chat with the local millers daughter on the Western Front in France during World War One. Date: circa 1916

British soldiers in China, c. 1911
A Chinese man in traditional clothes and with a queue pigtail hairstyle talks to a pipe-smoking westerner, with other men in the background

Dutch and Spanish
Spanish soldiers fraternising with Dutch peasants. Like the Germans three centuries later, the occupying forces do their best to ingratiate themselves with the locals. Date: circa 1590

French Soldiers and English Sailors Fraternising at Calais, 1854

French troops in Cape Town 1860
French troops from the ship La Dryade on their way to China mixing with the locals in Greenmarket Square in front of the city hall, Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope, South Africa. Date: 1860

Review of the guards returning from the Crimea, Hyde Park
People fraternising with the guards at the review in Hyde Park, London, after their return from the Crimean War. Date: 1856

Bernagousse 1918
French and British troops fraternising and sharing cigarettes in Bernagousse taking over the right of the new line from the French on the Western Front in France during World War I in March 1918

Stanley Baldwin & Voters
STANLEY BALDWIN British politician, fraternising with members of the general public who may be induced to give him their votes

Three Germans and a British soldier
A British soldier fraternising with three Germans during a cease-fire on Christmas Day 1914 during World War I

Friendly British and Germans
German and British soldiers fraternising during a Christmas Day cease-fire in 1914 during World War I

Weihnachtszeit
Illustration showing British and German soldiers fraternising on Christmas Day 1914 during World War I. All soldiers are wearing holly or mistletoe in their hats and helments

Lenin / Red Square / May Day
VLADIMIR LENIN Russian statesman, talking to men in Red Square, Moscow, Russia, while his car waits for him

Allies in Flanders Wwi
Entente Cordiale: British and either French or Belgian soldiers fraternising and relaxing on a canal boat in Flanders during the First World War

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"Fraternising: Uniting in Unexpected Places" In the midst of war, a remarkable phenomenon occurred. The Christmas Truce of 1914 brought together enemies on the battlefield, as soldiers from both sides laid down their weapons and celebrated the holiday season together. A poignant photo captures this extraordinary moment of fraternisation amidst the chaos of World War I. Across continents, fraternisation took various forms. In Ceylon, an engraving depicts The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders engaging with locals aboard H. M. S "Agamemnon" in Colombo Harbour. This interaction showcases how cultures can intertwine even during times of conflict. The Russo-Japanese War witnessed another instance of unexpected camaraderie. A vivid lithograph portrays soldiers from opposing sides sharing moments before battle in the trenches before Mukden. Despite being adversaries, they found common ground through shared experiences and a desire for peace. During Spain's Civil War, Republicans and Carlists momentarily set aside their differences during the Armistice of Somorrostro. An engraving captures this rare occasion when political foes embraced unity rather than division. Fraternisation was not limited to wartime scenarios alone; it extended beyond conflicts into other realms as well. A lithograph titled "The Pipe and Coffee of Peace" illustrates Boers and Britons coming together around a blockhouse watch-fire during a paper-chase event in Albania—an unexpected display of harmony between former adversaries. Even military reviews could become opportunities for fraternisation among people who were otherwise divided by nationalities or social classes. Engravings depict ordinary citizens mingling with guards at Hyde Park's review—a testament to how shared experiences can bridge gaps that seem insurmountable. Political arenas also witnessed instances where opponents found common ground despite ideological differences. An engraving showcasing The Irish Parliament on College Green demonstrates politicians setting aside their disputes to engage in constructive dialogue—proof that even fierce rivals can find moments of unity. Fraternisation was not limited to land.