Biography. [2] Unfortunately, he then suffered a severe attack of cramp, and was recaptured and placed in solitary confinement. Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the verbs in brackets. Jim Macpherson being the officer of the British soldiers should have stopped other soldiers from doing this because this could lead to their defeat and death. The wife lost all her sanity after this. d. By the time I returned, they had fallen asleep! Many British soldiers died. No, Jim Macpherson did not return from the war. Ans. UNDER SECRETARY OF THE ARMY Vacant's official web page, including a biography, news, and videos related to the U.S. Army senior leader. John Macpherson, a captain in the British army, had written that letter, dated Dec. 26, 1914, to his wife Connie. Answer: When he visits Bridpost, he discovers that Connie has been shifted to a nursing home because her house had caught fire. 25 December, 1919 Upon interrogation, he found that he was one of the servants of the Vice-Chancellor, who was a British. Find these phrasal verbs in the story. Events. What we often do not realize is that wars are highly unnecessary, and result in so much destruction and violence. i. Answer: What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers? A soldier called Jim Macpherson had written the letter to his wife, Connie on December 26, 1914, that is, during the First World War. The four then managed to travel to Sweden via Bromberg and Gdynia; flying back to Kinloss, Scotland on 4 November 1943, two years after he had been captured in Egypt. Answer: Macpherson was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London in 1977,[31] and served as High Sheriff of Greater London in 1983. What did he find in a secret drawer? Connie had deep love for her husband, and seeing him again after all these years and receiving his letter is “the best Christmas present in the world”. The letter was written to share the soldier’s feelings about a truce that happens in the midst of the war between the British and German soldiers. The German soldiers came out of their hiding places and called out ‘Happy Christmas’. Question 5. 3. Under this operation three-man units were to be dropped into occupied Europe to carry out sabotage and guerrilla warfare, acting as a high-profile focus for the local resistance. The whole town is in mourning. Jim Macpherson being the officer of the British soldiers should have stopped other soldiers from doing this because this could lead to their defeat and death. Yes, I completely agree with them. [35] They had two sons and a daughter. It was a thing of wonder because right in the middle of a war, the warring soldiers were making peace. The British soldiers led by captain Jim Macpherson agreed to celebrate the festival together. Macpherson soon found, as he had in North Africa, that the term British intelligence was an oxymoron. Those were the times of India’s freedom struggle. British and the Germans were engaged in a war, yet on this day, both the troops met in no man’s land. ii. i. bum out: House number 12 turned out to be nothing but a burned-out shell, the roof gaping, the windows boarded-up. Mrs. Macpherson lived alone after her husband (Jim Macpherson) went to join the British army during the First World War. The table below contains a list of nouns and some adjectives. The Britishers suffered heavy casualties. Question 3. Colonel Ronald MacPherson or Ranald MacPherson (1817–1869), architect and colonial administrator Colonel Tommy Macpherson , British army officer Sir William Macpherson , High Court Judge in England Its Christmas today, but the town looks desolate and forsaken. Dr Linda Ross. Answer: The Best Christmas Present in the World Speaking. The Scot opened the shelter hatch and threw a grenade down it. Answer: Question 2. To be buried with me when the time comes.’ Most likely, it was put there by Mrs. Jim Macpherson, who was Jim’s wife. When I buy a present for others, I ensure that it has some value for the other person. Dr Paul Basu (SOAS, University of London) Dr Hugh Cheape (University of … She had grown extremely old and couldn't walk on herself. Question 4. One day, a strange case came to him. She loved her husband a lot, and could not bear the separation. The letter described an incident that occurred on the Christmas morning on the battlefield where the Germans invited the British to relish their shnapps, play a football match. The letter described a wonderful event. Wars do not affect the politicians and leaders who start them. We asked her how it had happened. The author buys it at a garage sale. My grandmother used to tell me this one particular story. Answer: The British soldiers were waiting to shoot the German soldiers. Sample answer It might have been sold shortly after the fire at her house. Do you think the soldiers of the two armies are like each other, or different from each other? Question 2. What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers? The loss caused by a war is irreparable. Playing sports and games will not lead to orphan children or bereaved widows. The notepaper in the secret drawer mentions that it was Macpherson's last letter. It was a wondrous thing because right in the middle of a war, the warring soldiers were making peace. She turned 92 last month, and is still waiting for her husband to return. Write a letter to a friend highlighting your anxiety, fears andfeelings. There’s no joy on people’s faces, but rather fear seems to have made a permanent home on their faces. A meeting had already been held with the Americans, conducted by Lieutenant Samuel Magill, but it was felt that Germans were prevaricating, so another meeting was set up in a village in Allied hands. The Best Christmas Present in the World Comprehension check-I. Give reasons for your answer. Construct the story using the outline. The two armies the British and the German-fighting against each other celebrated Christmas together. Question 1. My little sister is very naughty. All of them sang Christmas carols, although in different languages. (Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate their own answers.) This is what hope does. [note 2][17] run out: The time came, and all too soon, when the game was finished, the schnapps and the rum and the sausage had long since run out, and we knew it was all over. She was living in a nursing home called Burlington House, on the Dorchester road. [34] In 1985/86 he served as Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Dyers and between 2001 and 2005 he was President of the Highland Society of London. They were thrashed and made to work for more than twelve hours a day. Jim was an army officer and fought the war against Germany during World War I. Interrogated by four army officers and six carabinieri, one asked MacPherson to demonstrate how his Colt Automatic worked, he did so "by putting in a spare magazine [he] still had, and then held the party up with the loaded weapon". Ans. The desk had been sold because of a fire that had occurred in Connie’s home. [32] He was knighted in the 1992 New Year Honours,[33] receiving the accolade from the Queen at Buckingham Palace on 17 March 1992. light up: That was the moment her eyes lit up with recognition and her face became suffused with a sudden glow of happiness. I explained about the desk, about how I had found it, but I don’t think she was listening. Question 6. Which sentence in the text shows that the visitor did not try to hide his identity? To be buried with me when the time comes.” The address on the envelope was “Mrs.Jim Macpherson,12 Copper Beaches,Bridport. The doctor asked the reason for such injuries. It will help stop all the killings that happen in a war and destroy families. Dressed in full Highland uniform complete with bonnet, he bluffed that he would unleash heavy artillery and call on the RAF if the Germans did not surrender. Answer: I’m a school teacher from Dorset, in the west of England.” “Ah, Dorset,” he smiled. Answer: Connie Macpherson thought that her visitor was her dead husband whom she had lost in the war. Before joining the army, Hans played the cello in the orchestra and Jim was a teacher. Before joining the army, Hans played the cello in the orchestra and Jim was a teacher. Jim Macpherson wished if the problem between the two nations could be resolved by a football match instead of war. The prisoners were then transported by train to Stalag XVIII-A at Spittal an der Drau, Austria. This member has not added any friends. [2], After the Italian armistice the camp was taken over by German forces on 9 September 1943, and the prisoners transferred to German prisoner of war camps from 14 September when they were taken by road to Acqui. When they arrived at the station, their train had left. Yes, the soldiers of the two armies are like each other. Ans- The letter was special because it was written to Connie, Jim’s wife, where he had explained us about the war and the life at home. Moreover, the soldiers on both sides wanted peace. 3. In one attack Macpherson and his men trapped 300 Germans and 100 members of the Milice (Pro-German French forces) in a railway tunnel for several days. The Best Christmas Present in the World Comprehension check-II. Question 5. A wounded, semi-conscious man was brought to his clinic. It did not fare well with the authorities, and the doctor was soon captured and sent off to the Cellular Jail in the Andamans. They then decided to walk to Tobruk, despite the fact they had no food, water or maps, and were dressed only in shorts. The letter had been written by Jim to his wife connie 4. No, Hans Wolf had never been to Dorset. (For example, you might buy a book because it can be read and re-read over a period of time.) Answer: From then, she had been in a nursing home for treatment. The British and the Germans were engaged in a war, yet on this day, both the troops met in no man’s land. At first, the British soldiers thought that it was a trick to deceive them but soon they realised that it was not. Ques 4: What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers? The compartment was empty except for one lady. The notepaper in the secret drawer mentions that it was Macpherson's last letter. It appears Jim Macpherson too lost his life in the war. This was the last time Connie heard from Jim. 4. He caused so much damage to enemy military infrastructure, a bounty of 300,000 francs was … They were not given proper food and clean water. Dr Jim MacPherson, University of the Highlands and Islands. Jim wrote the letter to tell his wife about a wonderful thing that had happened on Christmas day. No photos. The British soldiers were waiting to shoot the German soldiers. Wars are the most profane way of insulting mankind. Why was Jim’s letter so special? Answer: Answer: Unfortunately, Armstrong became separated, and on 26 September Macpherson and Armstrong ran into a German patrol near Chiusaforte, Macpherson spoke to the patrol in Italian, pretending to be an Italian officer, and tried to convince the patrol that Armstrong was Croatian. Mrs Macpherson was a hundred and one years old now. c. So they sat outside and ate the lunch I had packed for them. What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers? 3. One day her house caught fire. Macpherson managed to get away from his guards, but was soon recaptured, and almost shot; fortunately the order by a feldwebel (NCO) was countermanded by an officer. The letter was written to share the soldier’s feelings about a truce that happens in the midst of the war between the British and German soldiers. [37], When the Allied officers were interviewed by the press immediately after the surrender, Lieutenant Samuel Magill did the talking, but Macpherson, as trained, said nothing. Then present your arguments to the whole class. Pulling out the drawers, he discovers a letter written on December 26, 1914 and addressed to Mrs. Jim Macpherson. Find evidence from the story to support your answer. The shopkeeper claimed that it belonged to the early nineteenth century, and was made of oak. I just wish ……… 3. It was kept in a box with the words:Jim’s last letter received January 25,1915. There was a paper sello-taped to its top. His childhood home was Edgebrooke, in East Fettes Avenue, and he attended Edinburgh Academy prep school before Cargilfield, in Barnton. A few hours later the police arrested the man. The timeline of the story corresponds to World War I, in which the Germans emerged winners. [14], As axis forces in the south of France were cut off by the Allied advance, Macpherson negotiated the surrender of two German units, the most notable being FK541. Given below is the outline of a story. The British and the Germans were at war, yet on this day, both the troops met in noman’s land. How old was Mrs Macpherson now? When the doctor heard about this, he decided to participate in the freedom struggle. Answer: German and British army was fighting a battle. Over the course of the next two months Macpherson killed or captured many German troops and systematically blew apart bridges. Q3. [13], On one occasion when a German staff car was approaching a level crossing Macpherson booby-trapped the barrier arm so it crashed down on the vehicle, decapitating the local commandant and his driver. What kind of presents do you like and why? Where was she? No, Jim Macpherson never came back from the war. [16], Unarmed and accompanied by a German doctor and a French officer, Macpherson was driven in a captured German Red Cross vehicle through miles of enemy-held territory, through machine gun fire, to the village's school house. The sentence in the text that shows that the visitor did not try to hide his identity is: Colonel Sir Ronald Thomas Stewart Macpherson CBE, MC & Two Bars, TD, DL was a highly decorated Scottish British Army officer during and after the Second World War. Question 2. Many British soldiers died. During the night they mined the road and the surrounding trees. Many of the old restaurants and churches have been destroyed by the bombings. She wrote him countless letters, but all of them remained unanswered. 1 answer. The letter described an incident that occurred on the Christmas morning on the battlefield where the Germans invited the British to relish their shnapps, play a football match. On 7 October 2010, Macpherson's autobiography was published under the title, Behind Enemy Lines.[28]. The British soldiers led by captain Jim Macpherson agreed to celebrate the festival together. He caused so much damage to enemy military infrastructure, a bounty of 300,000 francs was placed upon his head. She took her gloves off. Question 3: What jobs did Hans Wolf and Jim Macpherson have when they were not soldiers? “And a Happy Christmas to you too. Reviews Editor. They came back home, but by that time I had gone out to see a movie! Question 7. The note stuck on the top of the tin box mentioned that the letter inside it was the "last letter" from Jim. After two nights, the submarine had not appeared and one boat was leaking, so the men decided to land again and make a final attempt in one boat, but in the end the weather was too bad. But on Christmas, a strange development took place. The author found an old roll-top desk in a junk shop. Macpherson was part of a four-man team sent to reconnoitre beaches in preparation for Operation Flipper, an attempted raid on the headquarters of Erwin Rommel, the famous German Field Marshal. a. The British and the Germans were engaged in a war, yet on this day, both the troops met in no man’s land. Question 1. 1914 when he was in the British Army fighting against the Germans. The author found a small black tin box in the secret drawer. She never believed that he was dead. Question 4: Why was the letter written — what was the wonderful thing that had happened? Solved Meaning: watched something without becoming involved in it yourself, iv. But on Christmas, a strange development took place. It was the command of Major General Botho Henning Elster. He fought with the No. My friends set out to see the caves in the next town, but I stayed at home, because I had seen them already. He was awarded the Military Cross and the Croix de Guerre three times, and the Légion d'honneur. [22] He was promoted lieutenant-colonel on 31 October 1961,[23] and until 1 November 1964 he commanded the London Scottish (TA - then affiliated with the Gordon Highlanders), he was then promoted colonel. iii. Answer: Answer: To be buried with me when the time comes.” The address on the envelope was “Mrs Jim … He fought with the No. What are the things you keep in mind when you buy presents for others? All of them sat together on Christmas Eve smoking, laughing, talking, drinking, eating and singing carols. No, Jim Macpherson probably never came back from the war. But on Christmas, a strange development took place. The two armies-the British and the Ger­man—fighting against each other celebrated Christmas together. How do you know this? He beat the man unconscious. Similar operations continued through July, and following Operation Dragoon (the Allied invasion of Southern France, aimed at capturing Marseille), operations increased in scale. Neither German nor British soldiers were enjoying the game and feast together. [note 1][16] Macpherson was informed by another Jedburgh leader Captain Arthur Cox that the Major General wanted to negotiate surrender. Meaning: destroyed completely by fire so that only the outer frame remained, ii. It was a thing of wonder because right in the middle of a war, the warring soldiers were making peace. Question 4. Others present included Jeffrey Archer and his wife, Gregory Lauder-Frost, and Mr & Mrs Alexander Hay of Duns Castle, Berwickshire. She is extremely happy to receive the letter that he had written to her before his death. We know this because his wife had secured the letter in a small tin box with a note sello-taped on top of it, which read: “Jim’s last letter, received January 25, 1915: To be buried with me when the time comes.”, The Best Christmas Present in the World Comprehension check-III. (Encourage the students to use their creativity and formulate their own answers.). [18]. I wonder whether we will ever be able to get over this feeling of sadness and shock. They were unarmed and they waved a white flag. Discuss with your partner. It was a thing of wonder because right in the middle of a war, the warring soldiers were making peace. The Best Christmas Present in the World Working with the text. After the war he reverted to the rank of lieutenant and continued to serve in the Territorial Army with the Camerons. This happened in the earlier part of the World War I in which the Germans were triumphant which implies the defeat of the British and the death of Jim Macpherson. look on: Hans Wolf and I looked on and cheered, clapping our hands and stamping our feet, to keep out the cold as much as anything. The doctor was hanged mercilessly. Then, as the Germans began to work through the trees to outflank them, the resistance fighters brought down the trees and withdrew[10][11]. Passage 3 “Captain Jim Macpherson,” I replied. In the letter, a soldier describes how British and German soldiers came together on that frosty Christmas morning, sharing food and drink from each other’s Christmas packages, and playing a game of football. Macpherson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. Question 1. Jim and Hans think that games or sports are good ways of resolving conflicts because they are harmless ways of doing so. 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