Recently, both the Tele and Courier published a tale regarding soldiers from the First World War putting down weapons on Christmas Day and meeting in ‘no man’s land’ to wish each other a Merry Christmas.
Although no football match was played on that occasion, it was, indeed, a footballer who brought the tale to light.
Jack Peters was a player with Arbroath before being called up to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and he mentioned this in one of his many letters to then club match secretary Bob McGlashan.
Fast forward nearly a century and I was at my friend Alan Peters 60th birthday celebration the other week, which took the form of hospitality at Dens Park for Dundee’s 4-1 win over Motherwell.
He happened to mention the article and said that Jack could, indeed, be his grandad.
“I am not certain but think Jack Peters could be my grandfather John Birnie Peters who was born on April 18, 1885, at 49 Union Place, Lochee.
“I know my grandfather played for Dundee and Arbroath around that time, so assume it must be him.
“However, I’ve never heard this particular story within the family.
“John’s son (also John Birnie Peters, known as Jack) played for Dundee United (I believe in the late 40s/early 50s) and my own son Scott John Peters played for Dundee and Arbroath in the 90s.
“My grandfather died on September 12, 1950.”
Have you got a story to share with John? Email: jbrown@dcthomson.co.uk
This article originally appeared on the Evening Telegraph website. For more information, read about our new combined website.