The source of the material from which this journal has been compiled is a small pocket diary in which brief entries were made daily throughout the writer’s short spell on active service in the British Army in 1917. The events and incidents, both trivial and tragic, and the names of those who shared in the writer's experiences are authentic.
6th July 1917
Anxious to enjoy our newly found freedom and with the promise of a hot sunny day we were out and about at 7:45am only to find that classes did not start until 9:45am. The instructor, Sergeant Roberts, dealt adequately with the elementary map reading, conventional signs, scales, co-ordination, contours, etc - all of which we smoothly regarded as schoolboy stuff. Lessons ceased at 12:30 for lunch, to be resumed at 2:15. At 4pm we were issued with 10 francs pay and dismissed for the rest of the day.
That night Jerry paid a visit to Divisional H.Q. and dropped four bombs. Little damage was done but we on the course took a sneaking delight in the momentary discomfort of the Brass Hats – how mean one can become!
Rose 7:45am.
Course started.
Map reading - conventional signs, scales, co-ordination, etc. 9:15-12:30 and 2:15-4pm.
Paid 10 francs.
Air raid. 4 bombs.
That night Jerry paid a visit to Divisional H.Q. and dropped four bombs. Little damage was done but we on the course took a sneaking delight in the momentary discomfort of the Brass Hats – how mean one can become!
Rose 7:45am.
Course started.
Map reading - conventional signs, scales, co-ordination, etc. 9:15-12:30 and 2:15-4pm.
Paid 10 francs.
Air raid. 4 bombs.
Original diary entry |
Original journal notes |
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