1808 - Both Bns 43rd and 52nd, as part of Sir J. Moore's rearguard from Sahagun (Spain), started on the retreat to Corunna.
1918 – 2nd Bn OXF & BUCKS LI – ROMMERSKIRCHEN.
Christmas Day passed very pleasantly and many subsequent letters testified to everyone having enjoyed themselves as thoroughly as possible under the circumstances.
0930 – Parade Service (C of E) in the goods shed ECKUM Station, attended also by the 2nd Bn Highland Light Infantry. This regiment exchanged duties i.e.Divisional and Brigade guards so that the 52nd might be free for Christmas and the 74th for New Years Day.
1918 –1/1stBuckinghamshire Battalion – MAGLIO.
Xmas Day.
All Coys dinners a great success & thoroughly enjoyed.
All Coys had sufficient tables & forms to seat everyone – every man had a plate.
Menu: – Pork-Vegetables. Plum Pudding – Oranges – Nuts – Beer.
Ration Strength: 19 Officers 613 OR. Casualties: NIL.
1918 - 1/4th Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – MAGLIO.
Christmas Day was celebrated in a fashion wholly British in this small Italian village, and despite inclement weather, the arrangements made by the Battalion went off splendidly.
In the morning the Officers played the Sergeants at football and the former were rather heavily beaten by 7 – 3. The match however provided a good deal of fun, as the ground was in a very bad condition, in many places completely under water.
At 12.30 the Christmas dinners by Companies began & continued well on into the afternoon. A Coy had their real Christmas dinner the evening before owing to a difficulty in securing the room for Christmas Day.
Lt. Col. Bartlett DSO was unfortunately away, on leave, but when Major P PICKFORD DSO, MC visited the dining rooms he was acclaimed by all events, and toasted with musical honours, not once but many times. Scenes of joyous hilarity ensued and Christmas Day 1918 was undoubtedly the most enjoyable the Battalion had spent under active service conditions.
1944 – 2nd (AB) Bn Oxf & Bucks LI – Ardennes Offensive
Christmas Day the Regiment moved through Ath, Mons and Charleroi to Givet, reached at 0400 hrs. By noon the 52nd had taken over the Givet bridgehead and defence of the town. At this time Givet was an American replacement depot and American troops were available to help in the defence, as were French troops to man posts along the river towards Dinant, where the rest of the brigade was posted