“It is difficult to say what success is being achieved by Sir Douglas Haig in his great attack in Flanders. One day the British gain ground and the next the German officers to recover part of the ground. The havoc of life must be appalling.”
Entry dated Wednesday 1st August 1917, Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].
June 1917
Goods Received Goods Distributed
From Boston
10 C/s [cases] Dressings To Bureau
2 ” Hospital Goods ”
& Appliances for making gauze Auxiliary Hospital
sponges from Franklin Relief Assn.
1 C/s Hospital Goods from Lynn British Red Cross, London
House, American Allied War Relief
Items donated by the wives of active servicemen aboard Cunard ships to be distributed to the indicated areas. From the Cunard Archive [Cunard Women’s War Service Association Report for 1917, D42/C1/1/22/2].
As the U.K. prepares itself to vote in the snap General Election, we thought it fitting to show some of the printed and archival material held here in Special Collections and Archives from the elections of the past.
Within our printed collection holdings, many pamphlets of the nineteenth century highlight the popular political topics of the day. Sydney Charles Buxton became an MP for the Liberal Party in the late nineteenth century, shortly after his publication of Electoral Purity and Economy (London: The London and Counties Liberal Union, 1882). The paper is written to suggest reforms in the electoral process to counteract bribery and expenses, which the reader is encouraged to undertake and promote themselves. The below referenced “crushed” Corrupt Practices Act finally came into fruition in 1883, formally known as the Corrupt and Illegal Practices Prevention Act. This was the first act which required the expenses of candidates to be publicly published.
SPEC Y84.3.269 (9)
We also hold archival material relating to individuals who held both local and national political positions. Eleanor Rathbone sat as an Independent MP for the Combined English Universities, and as a local councilor for the Granby Ward from 1909 -1935. Eleanor was instrumental in the passing of a number of bills, including those with a focus upon benefiting the socio-economic position of women and children.
RP XIV.3.3
The Glasier papers provide us with an insight to the political movements of the Independent Labour Party (ILP) through politician John Bruce Glasier and his wife, Katharine Glasier. In 1900 John Bruce Glasier became the chair of the ILP, which he held for three years. In the campaign pamphlet shown below, Glasier was standing in Bordesley, Birmingham – a campaign which was unsuccessful.
GP/5/2/2 (6)
Lastly, the David Owen Archive is abundant with material relating to his time as a member of both the Labour party and the Social Democrats. Below is campaign material from the 1974 parliamentary election, when Owen was successfully elected as MP for Plymouth Devonport, holding the seat for the Labour Party.
D709 2/2/4/3
D709 2/2/4/3
All of the items included within this post are available to view in our reading room. Please see our website for more information on booking an appointment.
You can read the Manuscripts and More post for the General Election in 2015 here.
Dreadful air raids on South East Coast towns. Haven’t death toll yet
Monday 28th May 1917. Diary of John Bruce Glasier. [GP/2/1/24]
“This morning our boy returned…he went with a steamer carrying provisions to German Prisoners in the Isle of Man as Captain’s boy. He has signed on to go with the same steamer… to Cherbourg France…”
John Glasier discussing the plans of his son Malcolm, Thursday 31st May 1917. Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].
“Sorting out letters… day binding leafs of pamphlets – most of which the war has rendered obsolete.”
Friday 13th April 1917. Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].
This mornings papers announced the most unexpected news that a revolution has taken place in Petrograd. […] It takes the breath away! The most powerful autocracy in the world’s history overthrown in a day.
Friday 16th March, Diary of John Bruce Glasier. [GP/2/1/24]
Germany in reply to allies statement of terms, declares they will begin a wholesale war upon all shipping – rental vessels included. This created a serious situation with United States: and darkens peace hopes.
Wednesday 31st January 1917. Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].
Laurentic the White Star Liner converted into a light cruiser (14 000 tons) sank by a submarine on West Coast on Thursday night only 120 saved out of nearly 1000. Terrible.
Monday 29th January 1917. Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].
Stevie and I went out at 11:45… then came in and “first footed” the house. Outside was perfectly silent. No bells or cheers saluted the New Year (the authorities forbid bell-ringing for fear of zepplins) not a soul was to be seen. A curious bringing in of the new year.
Monday January 1st 1917. Diary of John Glasier [GP/2/1/24].