‘Things are much as they were, the Hun is preparing another blow in France and has already struck in Italy. I think he is failing there.’
Personal diary of Percy Bates, entry dated 19th June 1918 [D641/2/1/5].
Tag Archives: First World War
This Week’s War: 202
Aside
“It’s the soldier we worry about; he has been shrapnelled, […] shell-shocked, and gassed, but is still hard at it as adjutant. But he is tired, though cheerful.”
Extract from a letter dated 14th June 1918, from Sir Walter Alexander Raleigh to Robert Andrew Scott Macfie, who was serving abroad in the Army, [GLS E1/1/22].
This Week’s War: 201
Aside
‘German advance checked but position very grave.’
Entry dated Tuesday 11th June 1918, diary of John Bruce Glasier [GP/2/1/25].
This Week’s War: 200
Aside
‘By the way one item will amuse you, five large wooden cases turned up the other day for an officer in our regiment. “Looks like drink” says one. So we all sit round hoping it’s Beer. First case is opened and is found to contain four dozen of “Malvern” water. – Oh well at any rate now we’ll have a Whiskey and Soda. A bottle is opened but Malvern water is apparently aqua pura – unfizzy – plan H20!!!!’
Letter from Denis H. Bates to Sir Percy Bates sent from Cairo, dated 25th May 1918 [D641/3/4/13].
This Week’s War: 199
Aside
“We are fed-up with aeroplanes here, and even if I hear a ‘battle in the air’ overhead I cannot be bothered to look at it. There is plenty of bombing by enemy planes on clear nights in the neighbourhood, but it has never yet got very close to us.”
Entry dated May 27th 1918, War Diary 1917 – 1919, by Aleyn Lyell Reade [ALR. A. 1. 2].
This Week’s War: 198
Aside
‘Visited LONE FARM and Machine Gun Emplacements. Captain R. CARR, M. C., R. E. received orders to report to R.A.F., and handed over to new Adjutant – Captain G. S. HALLAS, M. C., R.E.’
War Diary / Intelligence Summary of University of Liverpool graduate J. H. Forshaw, Captain and Adjutant of the 55th Divisional Royal Engineers, entry dated 14th May 1918 [D113/1/2].
This Week’s War: 197
Aside
Two Years in India
Pte. E. J. Nelis (Costing Department) Manchester Regiment, writes to inform us that he has now completed two years service in India. He much appreciates the parcels which he receives from time to time from the Comrades’ Fund.
Extract from Cunard magazine May 1918 issue [D42/PR5/1].
This Week’s War: 196
Aside
“You would quite enjoy it here; not only have we our own band to play to us in the evening at guard-mounting, which takes place within a few yards of where I work, but in addition the Divisional Band plays each night in the field adjoining – it is quite like Sefton Park!”
Entry dated May 2nd 1918, War Diary 1917 – 1919, by Aleyn Lyell Reade [ALR. A. 1. 2].
This Week’s War: 195
Aside
‘Cleaned bus.
German class.
Social Hist. class.’
Entry dated Tues 23rd April 1918, diary of Olaf Stapledon [OS/A1/20].
This Week’s War: 194
Aside
‘April 21. R. R. R. arrived at midnight for final leave. Very well.’
Entry from the diary of Hugh Reynolds and Emily Evelyn Rathbone [RP XVA.3.172].