European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

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The First World War: A Documentary Record

Series One: European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

Part 2: Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

The First World War: A Documentary Record is a major microfilm series which is making available for the first time the riches of the Cambridge War Reserve Collection.

This collection is acknowledged to be one of the finest sources of documentation concerning the First World War in the world, with much unique, rare and ephemeral material.

Dr J M Winter, of Pembroke College, Cambridge, is the Consultant Editor for the microfilm edition. The emphasis is on the inclusion of materials unlikely to be held in most libraries.

Part 1 made available the complete card catalogue and manuscript listing of the War Reserve Collection, which highlights the great range of the material held at Cambridge, and provides an invaluable bibliographical source for all aspects of the war.

Part 2 commences coverage of the collection itself and focuses on Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences.

These sources provide an immediate and personal perspective on the war. They bring home the realities of trench warfare and describe the experiences of infantrymen, officers, airmen, the medical corps, those at training camps, the tank corps, sappers, captured troops, soldiers on their way home and soldiers new to the front.

There is much gallows humour and many eye-witness reports of major events. The material comes from the complete spectrum of participants. British, Australian, new Zealand and Canadian troops are most heavily represented - as one would expect - but there are also significant German, French, American, Spanish, Swedish and Polish sources and additional materials from Belgium, Denmark, Italy, Singapore, South Africa and Switzerland.

118 Trench Journals are included. These were often cyclostyled publications created at the front, Some bear evidence of having been read in the trenches before being mailed to Cambridge to form a part of this Collection.

The titles of the journals conjure up images by themselves. Examples are: The Gasper; The Iodine Chronicle (journal of No 1 Canadian Field Ambulance); Chronicles of the NZEF; La Baïonette; Le Claque à Fond; Pulham Patrol; Anzac Bulletin; Breath o' the Heather; The Mudhook, incorporating the Dardenelles Dug-out Gossip; The Dead Horse Corner Gazette (Canadian BEF); Aussie; The Eaglet (US Forces Magazine) ; The Codford Wheeze; The Fag-End (NZEF); Poison Gas; The Wormlet; and The Whizz-bang.

Many of these titles include poetry written at the front, observations on the merits of officers, cartoons, and special features, as well as some operational details and reviews of past events. Some - such as the The Anzac Book: written and illustrated in Gallipoli are lavishly illustrated with drawings and photographs.

Internment camps produced their own magazines including Deutsche Internierten-Zeitung Journal des Internés Français and Lager-Echo. Journals dealing with specialist forces include The Tenedos Times: Journal of the Mediterranean destroyer flotilla; Doings in German East Africa; Canadian Sapper; Barrack: The Camel Corps Review; The Whippet (a tank corps journal); and The WRAF on the Rhine.

Sixty-eight Personal Narratives and Reminiscences are included. We have concentrated on titles published before 1925, and on titles that were privately printed and thus received only limited circulation. All manner of experiences are recorded in those as some sample titles will suggest: Australia in Palestine, 1919; N-Fraser-Tyler, With Lancashire Lads and Field Guns, 1922; J Krafft, Das Kriegstagbuch; J'accuse!Feuillets du Journal d'un soldat-homme de lettres, 1915; W Bellows, A Carnet de route, 1917; F M Gum, With Rifleman, Scouts and Snipers, 1921; Sven Hedin, Bagdad, Baylon, Ninive, 1917; Mme E Colombel, Journal d'une Infirmière d'Arras, 1916; A E Casales, A Young Soldier in France, 1916; E Moraht, Unser gemeinsamer krieg, 1915; and Danske soldaterbreve, 1918.

The collection is rounded off with two gatherings of manuscript letters from the front and miscellaneous items such as dictionaries of trench slang.

Our coverage by no means exhausts the resources of the War Reserve Collection in this area and a future part will make available a further selection with a particular emphasis on journals incorporating sketches and photographs, Scholars working on personal reminiscences should scan the relevant sections on the card catalogue and manuscript listings for further details, What is provided is a rich and probably unparalleled collection of these sources, which will provoke much new research and teaching.

William Pidduck May 1992

The First World War: A Documentary Record

Series One: European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

Part 2: Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences

EDITORIAL INTRODUCTION BY DR J M WINTER

Any selection of primary materials on the First World War must take account of the extraordinary phenomenon of trench journalism. This was the creation of 'house journals' of platoons, companies, regiments and occasionally even larger serving branches of the armed forces. The smaller they were, the closer they were to the minds of the men in the trenches. They are an indispensable source for any study of the military and social history of the Great War.

The sheer range of these papers is astonishing. The selection is primarily British, but includes Australian, New Zealander, Canadian, American, German and French material as well. They vary enormously in format and content. Many of the British and French trench journals are cyclostyled, and represent a high degree of ingenuity in finding (stealing?) the equipment necessary to produce a four- or eight- page collection of comments, drawings, doggerel and news of local affairs. German trench journals have a less spontaneous character and fewer jokes, veiled or unveiled, at the expense of the high command. Swagger and defiance are more to the liking of the Australian trench journalist, though savage comments are not unknown in other products of this extraordinary part of the soldier's cultural life.

You can imagine the way they were produced, and feel the intense camaraderie they proudly display. Some is amateur journalism of the schoolboy variety, but much of it is poignant and highly revealing of the ambivalence serving soldiers felt about the war and those not in the line. They all wanted to win; the will to victory was a sine qua non. But they had no time at all for armchair strategists or dainty diplomats. There is some anger at what soldiers took to be female ignorance of the hardships of trench life, but much longing for home as well. In short, these journals describe a world apart, but one still tied to the civilian landscape to which the authors (and readers) longed to return.

Reminiscences are entirely different. As one might expect, it is the contrast between the two forms of literature which is most revealing about what soldiers remember and what they forget. The memoirs reproduced from the Cambridge War Collection have all the features of the genre: selective memory alongside telling detail; oddity and regularity jostling for attention. In the passage of time, anger and indignation over the stupidity of military life and the 'eye-wash' of civilian journalism fades. What we see here are people who realize they have been through an earthquake of monumental proportions, and have lived to tell the tale. Cambridge is among the few libraries rich in such material. The Bibliothèque du Documentation Internationale Contemporaine (BDIC), Paris and the Library of Contemporary History in Stuttgart are two others. The preservation of such sources in microfilm permits any library to join them in offering readers a resource to help them begin to make sense of a unique moment in history.

J M Winter Pembroke College, Cambridge

The First World War: A Documentary Record

Series One: European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

Part 2: Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences

THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF THE MICROFILM PROJECT

The availability of the complete card catalogue and manuscript listings will clearly be of great benefit to scholars wishing to understand the full range of materials contained in one of the largest assemblages of material for the study of the First World War.

However, to reproduce all of the items within the entire Cambridge War Reserve Collection WRA-WRE would not be desirable, as it does include some material which would be common to many collections - for instance: Parliamentary Papers and prominent monographs.

Our selection policy under the guidance of our Consultant Editor, Dr J M Winter, Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, has been to approach the collection on a subject basis concentrating on ephemeral materials, manuscript and rare printed items not likely to be held by most other libraries.

We have identified specific subject themes for each part of the microfilm project. ie: Part 1: The Card Catalogue Index and Manuscript Listings Part 2: Personal Narratives and Reminiscences Part 3: Allied propaganda of the First World War Part 4: German Propaganda of the First World War Part 5: The Royal Army Medical Corps, Red Cross and other Auxiliary Services Part 6: Military Operations 1914

Other subject themes to be covered by future parts include: military operations 1915-1918, naval and aerial operations, Russia, the Bolsheviks and the Eastern Front, Economics, Socialism, Reconstruction 1917-1919, Peace, the Versailles Settlement and the creation of the League of Nations 1918-1919, Pictures, Posters and Illustrations, memorial Volumes and Regimental Records 1914-1918.

"The First World War was the world-changing event of 'the twentieth century'. With all that has been written about it, large areas need to be enriched and deepened by access to a wider range of material. The War Reserve Collection at Cambridge University Library contains many unfamiliar and unusual documents. Once it becomes widely available, it will provide one basis for scholarly and popular studies of topics such as the trench experience, the role of the auxiliary services, and the propaganda campaigns of the two sides ( a welcome development, given that much writing on propaganda so far has tended to be as one-sided as the propaganda itself)."

Professor Trevor Wilson The University of Adelaide

The First World War: A Documentary Record

Series One: European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

Part 2: Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences

EXPLANATION OF THE CODES USED IN THE COLLECTION

The Cambridge War Reserve Collection (WRA-WRE) is a large collection of ephemeral, manuscript and printed sources relating to the First World War.

The main body of the material is organised in two ways. Firstly by size, categorised as:

WRA - 31-47 cm or larger in height WRB - 24-31 cm in height WRC - 21-24 cm in height WRD - 17-21 cm in height WRE - 10-16 cm in height

Secondly, by subject code number:

1. Parliamentary papers, Diplomatic Correspondence & official Documents (we propose to omit all widely available sections - such as official papers - where appropriate)

2. Political and historical literature (including general histories, causes, origins) (we propose to omit all widely available sections where appropriate)

11. Military Operations

12. Naval Operations

13. Aerial Operations

14. RAMC, Red Cross work. YMCA. Auxiliary services

15. German Occupation. Deportations. Vandalism

16. Prisoners. Atrocities

17. Personal narratives & reminiscences

18. Regimental records

19. Pictures, illustrations

30. Economics. Finance. Socialism

33. Russian Affairs. Bolshevism

34. Pacifist literature

35a. Propaganda (Allies)

35b. Propaganda (Germany)

36. Sermons. Charities. Religion. Benevolent Societies

40. Social life. Sports & Amusements 41. Peace. League of Nations

42. Literature

44. Rolls of Honour. Memorial Volumes

45. Reconstruction

46. Miscellaneous

50. Bibliography

Books, periodicals and pamphlets are given three-figure item numbers as follows:

Books and Pamphlets

Bound books with printed slips in the General Catalogue: 1- Unbound books with printed slips in the General Catalogue: 101- Bound books listed only in the Card Catalogue: 201- Unbound books listed only in the Card Catalogue: 301- Continuation of bound books with printed slips in the General Catalogue where 1- fills up: 401- Continuation of Bound books with printed slips in the General Catalogue where 1- and 401- fills up: 1001- eg: WRC 17.301 This is an unbound item listed only in the Card Catalogue.

Periodicals

Bound periodicals with printed slips in the General Catalogue: 101- Unbound periodicals with printed slips in the General Catalogue: 201- Bound periodicals listed only in the Card Catalogue: 301- Unbound periodicals listed only in the Card Catalogue: 401-

Posters are given the coding WRP. "P" for Posters. Newspapers are given the coding WRN. "N" for Newspapers.

The First World War: A Documentary Record

Series One: European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

Part 2: Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences

CONTENTS OF REELS

REEL 1

Listing and Guide

WRA 458 The British Prisoner of War Vol 1, Nos 1-12 31 cm. London, 1918

WRA 487 The Gasper. The unofficial organ of the BEF Nos 10, 12-21 38 cm. Salisbury, 1915-16

WRA 488 The Listening Post. 7th Canadian Infantry Battalion Nos 1-4, 6-8,12-16, 19-32 31 cm. France, 1915-18

WRA 494 The Fifth Glo'ster Gazette Nos 13-16, 18-25 31 cm [Gloucester], 1916-19

WRA 538 The Iodine Chronicle...No 1 Canadian Field Ambulance No 5 34 cm. France, 1916

WRA 539 The Splint Record Souvenir no 37 cm. [Flanders], December 1915

WRA 540 NYD incorporating…"The Iodine Chronicle", " The Splint Record", "Now and Then" The journals of 1, 2 & 3 Canadian Field Ambulances, respectively Nos 1-4, 6 REEL 1 (cont.)

34 cm. London, 1916-17

WRA 566 The Open Exhaust. Unofficial organ of 358 Coy Vol 1. No 4. 34 cm. n.p. 1916

WRA 574 Cinque ports Gazette. An active service magazine for… the 5th Royal Sussex Regt. No 1. 31 cm. n.p. 1916

WRA 610 The Gehenna Gazette: being the summer members of the Hades Herald, the (un) official organ of the Inns of Court OTC 34 cm. Berkhamstead, 1917

WRA 618 Der Kamerad. Feld-Ausgabe No 164, Oct 4, 1918 33 cm. Dresden, 1918

WRA 622 La Baïonnette No 7 NS 31 cm. Paris, 1915 WRA 630 Reveille [published on board troopship "Euripides"] Last issue. Oct 23, 1916 36 cm. At sea, 1916

WRA 643 La Claque à Fond Nos 20-24. 38 cm. [In the Trenches], 1918

WRA 643 The Salient. Being a seasonable supplement to the 6 corps magazine 33 cm. [At the Front, France], Xmas 1915

REEL 2

WRB 17.1 Ward, H, Mr Poilu, notes and sketches with the fighting French 26 cm. Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1916

WRB 17.2 Vince, C, England in France Drawn by S R Jones 26 cm. Constable & Co., London, 1919

WRB 17.3 Maxwell, Donald, The Last Crusade 25 cm. John Lane, The Bodley Head, London, 1920

WRB 17.4 "Arnewood". With the Guns West and East 26 cm. Mayflower Press, Plymouth, 1923

WRB 17.6 Australia in Palestine 28 cm. Agnes & Robertson, Sydney, 1919

REEL 3

WRB 18.301 The Barncroft Magazine. D-Company No. 14 Officer Cadet Battalion 26 cm. (Catterick), Jan to June 1918

WRB 18.302 Ultimus Magazine. D-Company 14th Officer Cadet Battalion 26 cm. (Catterick), July 1918 to June 1919

WRB 18.303 The Canadian Scottish. Stray papers by a private 24 Aberdeen, 1915

WRB 18.304 The Anzac Book: written and illustrated in Gallipoli by the men of Anzac … 28 cm. London, 1916

WRB 18.305 The Parting of the Ways 28 cm. Auckland, (1919)

WRB 101 The Golden Horseshoe. The Journal of the 37th Division, BEF 28 cm. London, 1919

WRB 104. 1-2 Chronicles of the NZEF Volumes 1 & 2. 28 cm. London, 1916-1917

REEL 4

WRB 104.3-5 Chronicles of the NZEF Volumes 3, 4 & 5. 28 cm. London, 1917-1919

WRB 107 The Tenedos Times. A monthly journal of the Mediterranean destroyer flotilla during the early part of the war 26 cm. London, 1917 REEL 4 (cont.)

WRB 108.1 The Wipers Times. A facsimile reprint of the Trench Magazines: A brief preface followed by: The Wipers Times Vol 1 Nos 1-4. 12 Feb 1916 to 20 Mar 1916

The "New Church" Times (incorporating The Wipers Times) Vol 1 Nos 1-4. 17 April 1916 to 29 May 1916

WRB 108.1 The Kemmel Times (incorporating The Wipers Times cont. and the "New Church" Times)

The Somme Times (incorporating ... [the above]) Vol 1 No 1. 31 July 1916

The BEF Times (incorporating … [the above]) Vol 1 Nos 1-5. 1 Dec 1916 to 1 Apr 1917

WRB 108. 2 The Wipers Times. A facsimile reprint of the Trench Magazines: A brief preface followed by:

The BEF Times Vol 2 Nos 1-6. 17 Aug 1017 to 26 Feb 1918

The Better Times Vol 1 Nos 1-2. Nov 1918 to Dec 1918

REEL 5

WRB 112.1-2 The Lead Swinger. The Bivouac Journal of the 1/3 West Riding Field Ambulances 3 volumes in 2. 27 cm. Sheffield, 4 Sept 1915 to 1 Mar 1919

WRB 201.1-2 The Thistle. Scottish Women’s Hospitals for Foreign Service Souvenir Book Volumes 1 and 2. 28 cm. Glasgow, (1916-1917)

REEL 6

WRB 412 The Queen’s Own Gazette (Royal West Kent Regiment) Vol XXXV, Nos 4-9 28 cm. Maidstone, 1916

WRB 422 The Dead Horse Corner Gazette. Canadian BEF Nos 1-3 28 cm. London, 1915-1916

WRB 432 Pulham Patrol Vol 1, Nos 4, 5, 9, 10 26 cm. Pulham, 1917-18

WRB 436 Anzac Bulletin 78 (New Issues), 80-95 28 cm. London, 1918

WRB 444 The Eaglet. American Forces Magazine Vol 1, Nos 1-16, 18-23 28 cm. London, 1918-1919

WRB 448 American News Vol 1, Nos 3-16, 19-20 28 cm. Madrid, 1918

WRB 469 Deutsche Internierten-Zeitung Heft 34 28 cm. Berne, 1917 WRB 470 Journal des Internés Français 3e trimestre. No 29 26 cm. Berne, 1917

WRB 471 a.a.c. The Journal of the Anti-Aircraft Corps Nos 2, 3 26 cm. London, 1917

WRB 473 The AOC Workshops Gazette No 30 28 cm. n.p. 1918

REEL 7

WRB 479 The Mudhook, with which is incorporated "Dardanelles Dug-Out Gossip" The Journal of the 63rd (RN) Division Vol 1, Nos 1, 2 27 cm. Boulogne, 1917 REEL 7 (cont.)

WRB 480 Now and Then, being the official organ of No 3 Canadian Field Ambulance, 1st Canadian Division, BEF No 1 28 cm. Yeovil, 1915

WRB 481 The Gnome NS Nos 2-5 25 cm. Cairo, 1917

WRB 482 The Brazier. 16th Battalion. The Canadian Scottish No 1 28 cm. (At the front, France) 1916

WRB 483 Breath o’ The Heather (OC 236h Bn CEF) No 3 & No 7 (Boat edition) 30 cm. Valcantier, 1917

WRB 484 Chronicles of the White Horse (Queen’s Own, Royal West Kent) Nos 2, 3 26 cm. n.p. 1917

WRB 485 The Codford Wheeze (No 3 NZ General Hospital, Codford) Christmas Day, 1918 25 cm. Salisbury, 1918

WRB 486 The Compressor. A weakly effort at military hilarity 27 cm. (Egypt?), 1916

WRB 487 Doings in German East Afrika Vol 1 No II 29 cm. Dar es Salaam, 1918

WRB 488 L’Echo des Guitounes … Organ officiel des Poilus du 144e de ligne Nos 11 and 12 28 cm. n.p. 1915

WRB 489 Kamp-knews. The officious news-ance of the 3rd West Lancs Brigade RFA No 22 28cm. Liverpool, 1917

WRB 490 Lager-Echo (German concentration camp magazine) Vol 11 Nos 1-8, 10-12; Vol 2 Nos 2-7 29 cm. Knockaloe, Isle of Man, 1916-1918 WRB 492 "Stand To!" The Journal of the 20th (S) Battalion: "The Duke of Cambridge’s Own" the Middlesex Regt. "The Die Hards" No 1 28 cm. London, 1916

WRB 493 The Quirk. RNAS, RN College, Greenwich Vol 1, Nos 1-2 27 cm. London, 1917

WRB 494 Trench Echo. Published "every little while" by the City of Winnipeg Battalion Christmas number 31 cm. France, 1917

WRB 496 The Pennington Press ASCMT No 1, Nos 1-26; Vol 2, Nos 27-44 28 cm. Bromley, 1916-1917

REEL 8

WRB 500 The 79th News 1914-1919 (quarterly) 24 cm. Inverness, 1914-1919

WRB 514 TE HUIA (The Magazine of the 33rd Reinforcement) Vol 1, No 1 28 cm. London, 1918

WRB 515 The Dump. XXIII Division Vols II & III 28 cm. London, 1916-1917

WRB 516 The Sling. A Little Journal published by the boys of a Canadian Field Ambulance Nos 1, 2 26 cm. On active service, 1917

REEL 9 (cont.)

WRB 517 Four Whistles. ‘D’ Company Scottish Officer Cadet Battalion 29 cm. Gailes, 1918

WRB 518 Four More Whistles. 9th Officer Cadet Battalion 25 cm. Glasgow, 1918

WRB 519 Memento of No 2 Company (XXII, OCB) 25 cm. Hipswell Camp, Catterick, June to Dec 1918

WRB 520 Trot-Talk or East Coast Splashes Vol 1, Nos 2-5 28 cm. (Ipswich), 1918-1919

WRB 525 Welsh Division New Year Souvenir 25 cm. Cardiff, 1917-1918

WRB 533 Mufti Nos 1-7 27 cm. Basildon, n.d.

WRB 541 The Hangar Herald Nos 9, 10, 11 28 cm. (France), 1915 WRB 543 The Fag End. An unofficial journal of the fortieth reinforcement NZEF 29 cm. n.p. 1918

WRB 560 The Canadian War-Pictorial: A Photographic Record Nos 1-4 29 cm. London, 1916

WRB 563 The Veteran Vol 1, No 8 28 cm. Ottawa, 1918

WRB 565 The Australian at Weymouth Nos 1-5 28 cm. Weymouth, 1918

WRB 569 The Indian. Journal of the US Medical Corps Vol 1 No 13 28 cm. (On the High Seas), 1919

WRB 579 Camp Echo. Halbmonatsschrift für das Douglas Prisoner of War Camp Nos 5-7 25 cm. Douglas, 1915-

WRB 588 Poison Gas: The Unofficial Organ of the 3rd Battalion Queen Victoria’s Rifles Vol 1, No 1 25 cm. Salisbury, 1916

WRB 590 The OTC and Naval Cadets Magazine Vol 5, No 10 25 cm. London, 1918

WRB 633 Canadian Sapper Vol 1, No 2 28 cm. London, March 1918

WRB 639 Lines. The official organ of the Divisional Signal Company, RE Vol 1, No 1 30 cm. (In the Field), 1917

WRB 645 The Third Battalion Magazine (AIF) 30 cm. Mansfield, August 1918

WRC 16.318 Scarlett-Synge, E. Report of visits to English prisoner-of- war camps in Germany 22 cms. (London), 1915

REEL 10

WRC 17.1 Hopkins, N M, Over the threshold of war ... 26 cm. Lippincott, Philadelphia, 1918

WRC 17.2 Fraser-Tytler, N With Lancashire Lads and Field Guns… 22 cm. Privately Printed. Sheffield, 1922 REEL 10 (cont.)

WRC 17.7 Charteris, E, H Q Tanks, 1917-18 23 cm. Privately Printed, London, 1920

WRC 17.9 Smith, H R, A soldier’s diary 24 cm. Privately Printed, Evesham, 1940

WRC 17.10 Curry, C E (ed.) Sir R Casement's diaries… 24 cm. March, 1922 REEL 11

WRC 17.101 Voskamp, C J, Aus dem belagerten tsinglan 21 cm. Berlin, 1915

WRC 17.102 Koester, A, Die stille schlacht 24 cm. Munich, 1915

WRC 17.103 Jeanbennat, J, Lettres de Guerre (1914-18) 23 cm. Librarie Plan, Paris, 1920

WRC 17.104 Heldmann, K, Kriegserlebenisse eines Deutschen Geschichts professors in der Heimat 23 cm. Stuttgart, 1922

WRC 17.301 Anon, England ind Kriegs zeiten. Von Einem Englander 23 cm. Zurich, 1918

WRC 17.302 Krafft, T, Das kriegstagbuch 22 cm. Munich, 1915

REEL 12

WRC 17.303 Anon, J’accuse! Feuillets du Journal d’un soldat-homme de lettres 23 cm. Privately printed, Berlin, 1915

WRC 17.304 Ballande, C A, Le lieutenant de vaisseau C. Ballande. Extraits de ses lettres 24 cm. Fischbacher, Paris, 1916

WRC 17.305 L M, Visiones de Guerra 21 cm. Gran Imprenta Catolica, Madrid, 1915 WRC 17.306 Cadonna, C La guerra nella retrovie 21 cm. Bemporad & Figlio, Firenze, 1917

WRC 17.307 Snokowski, K, Na Przetomie 21 cm. Krakow, 1916

WRC 17.308 Montague, C E, Notes from Calais Base 22 cm. Fisher Unwin, London, 1918

WRC 17.309 Muchlon, W, Die Verheerung Europas 21 cm. Art Institut Fusli, Zurich, 1918

WRC 17.310 Barth, Ch, Harrowing experience in war zone 22 cm. Garfield, N J, 1916

WRC 17.31 Daleng, M, Meine elf Wochen Grenzbesetzung 21 cm. Schneider, St Gallen, 1915

WRC 17.312 Bellows, W A, Carnet de route 22 cm. Privately printed, Gloucester, 1917

REEL 13

WRC 17.313 Larsen, K, Arbeit-Dienst. Aus dem Dänischer ubersetzt 20 cm. Erich Reis, Berlin, 1916

WRC 17.314 Hahn, G, Totentanz 1914/5 21 cm. Ambrolium Barth, Leipzig, 1915

WRC 17.315 Gerard, J & V W, Mine Fire aar I Tyskland 21 cm. København, 1917 WRC 17.316 Böök, J, Resa till Frankrike 1915 20 cm. Stockholm, 1916

WRC 17.317 Anon, L’Invasion Allemande en Belgique 21 cm. n.p., n.d.

WRC 17.318 Guerrers, J C, La Guerra Europea 24 cm. Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, Stuttgart, 191-?

WRC 17.319 A collection of letters from the front, mostly to the Revd Dr Stevens in Tadlow, nr Royston, Herts, concerning the receipt of Christmas parcels.

REEL 14

WRC 401 The London Scottish Regimental Gazette Nos 217-262 24 cm. London, 1914 ff

REEL 15

WRC 401 The London Scottish Regimental Gazette (cont) Nos 263-274 24 cm. London, 1914 ff.

WRC 402 Barrak. The Camel Corps Review 24 cm. Cairo, 1917

WRC 403 The Mudlark, Bedfordshire Gazette 1st Battalion No 1 24 cm. (Manchester), 1916

WRC 404 The Whizz-bang. A monthly from the Front (Organ of the 6th Batt (TF) Durham Light Infantry) Vol 1, Nos 1, 7 25 cm. Darlington, 1916-

WRC 406 The Volunteer’s Magazine. The official organ of the Corps of Citizens Vol 1, Nos 1, 11 25 cm. London, 1916-17

WRC 408 The Singapore Searchlight. A periodical devoted to the doings of the Singapore RE (Volunteers) Vol 1, Nos 1-5 25 cm. Singapore, 1915-16

WRC 408 The Searchlight - Monthly Publication of the RAMC, TF (E Lancs) 2nd Weston General Hospital, Manchester No 1, Vol 1 24 cm. October 1916

WRC 413 Soldiers Pie. (32nd Reinforcements NZEF) 24 cm. London, 1918

WRC 414 The Link (NZEF) 25 cm (London, 1918)

WRC 415 The Dagger or "London in the Line" Nos 1-3 25 cm. London, Nov 1918 to Feb 1919

WRC 418 Calliope Clarion Xmas 1915 25 cm. Manchester, 1915 WRC 423 The Periscope Vol III, No 4 24 cm. Manchester, 1919

WRC 424 Bostall Heath Camp Magazine continuing as Battery Babble (Camp Entertainments Committee Journal) Vol 1, No 1 – Vol 1, No 2 Oct 1916 to Dec 1916 25 cm. Bostall Heath, 1916

WRC 426 The Grim Old Lion’s Dare-devil’s Gazette 25 cm. Clonmel, 1916

WRC 427 The Futile Fusilier Xmas 1915 24 cm. n.p. 1915

WRC 429 The Red Feather (Regimental Magazine of the 6th (Service) Battalion of the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry) Vol 1, Nos 4, 6, 7 25 cm. Aldershot, June 1915 to March 1916

WRC 449 Doeberitz Gazette Nos 1, 2, 3 22 cm. Doeberitz, 1916-.

WRC 464 Aussie. The Australian Soldier’s Magazine Nos 1-13 19-24 cm. Printed in the field, 1918

REEL 16

WRC 483 The Direct Hit. Journal of the 58th London Division Vol 1, Nos 1-4 25 cm. (London), 1916-17

WRC 484 Bulletin of the Polish Voluntary Army Nos 1-3 24 cm. Warsaw, 1920

WRC 487 Spit and Polish (B 120 REA) Vol 1, Nos 1-4 20 cm. "The Low Countries", 1916

WRC 489 The Minden Magazine Nos 1-8 20 cm. London, 1915

WRC 525 The Standard of C Company 21 cm. London, July 1918

WRC 526 The Jackass. The First Australian General Hospital Monthly Nos 1, 2 & 5 24 cm. n.p. June to Oct 1918

WRC 527 "Honk". The Voice of the Benzine Lancers and Organ of the Gear-Box Musicians Printed every sometimes for the Australian Ammunition Park 24 cm. In the Field, France, 12 Aug 1915 to 29 Aug 1915

WRC 528 Hangar Happenings Nos (1)–4 24 cm. France, printed at Plymouth , 1917 WRC 529 "718". The ASCMT 718 W T Company’s Magazine Nos 1-4 24 cm. Amiens, Sept 1916 to May 1917

WRC 530 The Wormlet 22 cm. France, 20 July 1918

WRC 531 Bairns Gazette 21 cm. n.p. 1917 WRC 532 White and Blue Vol 1 24 cm. Jaffa, March 1918

WRC 533 La Vie Canadienne. Canadian Section, Gen HQ 3rd Echelon Vol 1, No 7 24 cm. n.p. 1917

WRC 537 The Jackdaw – on active service. Being the "official" organ of No 6. MAC Vol 1, Nos 9-12 21 cm. (In the field), 1917

WRC 538 BIM (British Interned Magazine) Vol 1, Nos 1-10; Vol 2, Nos 1-10 22 cm. [Mürren], 1917-18

WRC 554 The "On Guard"; being the monthly magazine of 339 and 341 companies RDC Nos 1-9 22 cm. Oswestry, 1919

WRC 560 The Whippet. 24 Tank Corps OCB Vol 1, Nos 1 & 2 23 cm. Winchester, 1918-19

REEL 17

WRD 17.1 Heutig, WO von Meine Diplomaten fahrt in verscheossene Land, 17 cm. Berlin & Wien, 1918

WRD 17.2 Crum, F M, With Riflemen, Scouts and Snipers 19 cm. Privately printed, Oxford, 1921

WRD 17.5 Warstat, W (ed), Das Erlebnis unserer jungen kriegsfreiwilligen 20 cm. Undreis, Gotha, 1916

WRD 17.101 Zobeltitz, F von, Kriegsfahrten eines Johanniters 17 cm. Ullsten, Berlin, 1915

WRD 17.102 Herbert, Lady M, Serbia and the Serbians 18 cm. Privately printed, London, 1915 REEL 17 (cont.)

WRD 17.103 Hedin, Sven, Baghdad, Babylon, Nineveh 19 cm. Brockhaus, Leipzig, 1917

REEL 18

WRD 17.104 Aubry, L'Abbé Augustin, Ma captivité en Allemagne 19 cm. Perrin, Paris, 1916 (6th ed)

WRD 17.302 Colombel, Mme E, Journal d’une Infirmière d’Arras 20 cm. Bloud et Gay, Paris, 1916 WRD 17.303 Casales, A E, A young soldier in France 19 cm. Privately printed, Eastbourne, 1916

WRD 17.304 Gibbs, P, Genom tyskarnes andra linje 18 cm. Lundberg, Stockholm, 1916

WRD 17.305 Hedin, S, Hacia el Este 20 cm. Seither, Barcelona, 1916

WRD 17.306 Kipliong, R, La guerra nelle montagne 17 cm. Milano, 1917

WRD 17.307 Gomez Carzillo, E, Au coeur de la tragédie 19 cm. Berger Levrault, Paris, Nancy, 1917

WRD 17.309 Anon, A Trip to Germany During Wartime 18 cm. Privately printed, New York, 1915

WRD 17.310 Moraht, E, Unser gemeinsamer Krieg 19 cm. Lanng, Frankfurt, 1915

REEL 19

WRD 17.311 Gedult von Jungerfeld, E, Freih von Aus den Urwäldern Paraguays zur Jahre 16 cm. Ullsten, Berlin, 1916

WRD 17.312 Lavenden, H, Les Grandes Heures 19 cm. Perrin, Paris, 1915

WRD 17.313 Boje Legionów Polskich No 3 17 cm. Krakow, 1916

WRD 17.314 Burek, Wladyslav, Legiony Polskie 20 cm. Krakow, 1916

WRD 17.315 Sturdza, M, Avec l’armée roumaine (1916-1918) 19 cm. Hachette, Paris, 1918

WRD 17.316 Hedin, Sven, Hacia el Este 17 cm. Privately printed, Barcelona, 1916

WRD 17.317 Brandt, R, I kulregnet vid östfronten 19 cm. Stockholm, 1915

WRD 17.318 Lappuynes, E, Louvain: A personal experience 19 cm. Privately printed, Kingston-upon-Thames, 1915

WRD 17.319 Lawson, John A, Memories of Deville Wood 19 cm. Privately printed, Cape Town, 1918

WRD 17.320 Muehlon, W, Europas Ødelseggelse 20 cm. Nordiskforlag, København, 1918

REEL 20

WRD 17.321 Pallin, Erik, Stridsflygares, E Upplevelser av Contract… 20 cm. Svenska, Stockholm, 1918 WRD 17.322 Danske soldaterbreve 20 cm. København, 1918

WRD 17.323 Was iche in mehr als 80 schlachten erlebte… 19 cm. Berlin, 1915

WRD 17.24 Unser vormarsch bis zur Marne 19 cm. Berlin, 1915

WRD 17.325 Locks, G M, Some impressions of an officer 20 cm. Privately printed, n.p. 1916

REEL 20 (cont.)

WRD 17.326 Maclean, J, On Active service with Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, vol 1 19 cm. Scottish Chronicle Press, Edinburgh, 1926

WRD 17.327 Maclean, J, Active service with Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, vol 2 19 cm. Scottish Chronicle Press, Edinburgh, 1926

WRD 17.329 Bellows, W, Three days in France 19 cm. Privately printed, Gloucester, 1914

WRD 46.396 The Soldiers’ war slang dictionary 19 cm. London, 1939

WRD 46.397 Downing, W H, Digger dialects 19 cm. Melbourne, 1919

WRD 405 The Incubator. The Magazine of the 2nd Reserve Batallion RNVR, 63rd Royal Naval Division Reserves No 1 15 cm. n.p. 1918

WRD 412 The WRAF on the Rhine Nos 1-3 20 cm. Cologne, July to Sept 1919

WRD 415 The Ascanian No 1 21 cm. Published at sea, May to July 1917

WRD 416 The Wasp No 1 18 cm. Published at sea, 1917

WRD 17.301 Cómo gané la Cruz de Hierro 14 cm. Seither, Barcelona, 1917

WRD 17.302 Mirandola, F, Walki I Brygady, 1914-1915 15 cm. Krakow, 1916

The First World War: A Documentary Record

Series One: European War 1914-1919, the War Reserve Collection (WRA -WRE) from Cambridge University Library

Part 2: Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Reminiscences

ILLUSTRATED EXTRACTS

The Trench Journals, Personal Narratives and Letters included in this microform edition provide insights into the attitudes and experiences of members of the armed forces and auxiliary services during World War 1. The Trench Journals were written as the activities took place and capture the spirit of the training camps, the voyages to and from the battle zone, the trench experience, time spent on leave and life inside prisoner-of-war camps. The Narratives generally have the benefit of hindsight, as they were written 5, 10 or 20 years after the War, enabling the raconteur to get events into perspective and justify or criticise decisions made in the fog of war.

Taken together, these sources offer a wealth of observations by participants in the conflict, covering all aspects of the War. There is material concerning the ambulance and medical corps, anti-aircraft battalions, mechanics and transport sections, the Navy, the fledgling air force, signals companies, tank forces, sappers, camp entertainers, the camel corps, and a great deal on the infantry and artillery men at the Front. There is infantry and artillery man at the Front. There is material documenting the battles of the Marne, Ypres, Artois, Verdun, the Somme, and Cambrai, as well as Gallipoli, the Arabian campaigns, and the war at sea.

The War can also be seen from a variety of international perspectives. Of the 118 Trench Journals included, 74 are British, 15 are Canadian, 6 are Australian, 6 are New Zealander, 4 are German, 4 are French, 3 are American and there is 1 item each for forces from Poland and Singapore. Of the 68 Personal Narratives and Reminiscences, 20 were printed in Britain, 16 in Germany, 8 in France, 4 each in Poland, Spain and Sweden, 3 in Denmark, 2 each in America, Italy and Switzerland, and 1 each in Australia, Belgium and South Africa.

This section of illustrated extracts cannot do justice to the complete collection. However, it does provide a sampling of the type of material that is included and may suggest some possible avenues for research.

One book which has already made good use of this type of material is: J G Fuller, Troop Morale and Popular Culture in the British Dominion Armies, 1914-1918 (Clarendon Press, Oxford, 1990).

The British Prisoner of War (WRA 458, Reel 1)

This was the Monthly Journal of the Central Prisoners of War Committee of the Red Cross and Order of St John. It is a journal about conditions in prison camps in general and provides much valuable data concerning the numbers of prisoners held, their health and welfare, the use of prisoners in local construction (Vol 1, No 1 describes "Working Camps in Turkey" and notes that "The majority of able- bodied British and Indian prisoners have been and are engaged in railway construction."), the construction of camps (Vol 1, No 2 includes a detailed drawing and description of Ruhleben Camp, Vol 1, No 7 details Karlsruche), notes of escapes, aid efforts, the packing of parcels, and many other issues. It is interesting to compare these details with those provided by Deutsche Internierten-Zeitung (WRB 469, Reel 6), Journal des Internès Français (WRB 470, Reel 6), Lager-Echo (WRB 490, Reel 7), Camp Echo. Halmonatsschrift fur das Douglas Prisoner of War Camp (WRB 449 Reel 15), BIM (British Interned Magazine) (WRC 538, Reel 16) and Ma captivité en Allemagne (WRD 17.104, Reel 18).

The Splint Record (WRA 539, Reel 1)

This was the journal of the No 2 Field Ambulance, 1st Canadian Division, BEF, and should read together with The Iodine Chronicle (WRA 538) and NYD (WRA 540) on the same reel. It offers a selection of reminiscences ("Thinking Back"), honours, comments, poetry and humour.

For instance:

To the Men who Stayed at Home Oft in my trench I think Of the poor chaps left at home, And the perils that surround them Where're they choose to roam.

There's train and tram collisions, The juggernaut motor 'bus, Bacilli in the cow's milk, And Zepp raids which are worse.

So to the chaps in Canada I send my Sympathy, And tell them for their safety's sake To come out here with me.

Part 5 of this project will be devoted to the Auxiliary Services - particularly the Red Cross, the Royal Medical Corps, the Military Surgeons and the new Ambulance Corps - so only a sprinkling of this type of material is included here. However, some other sources devoted to the medical corps featured here are: The Thistle: Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, Souvenir Book (WRB 201.1-2, Reel 5), Now and Then, being the official organ of No 3 Canadian Field Ambulance, 1st Canadian Division, BEF (WRB 480, Reel 7), The Sling (WRB 516, Reel 8), The Jackass: The First Australian General Hospital Monthly (WRC 526, Reel 16) and Journal d'une Infirmière d' Arras (WRD 17.302, Reel 18).

The Anzac Book: Written and Illustrated in Gallipoli by the Men of Anzac (WRB 18.304, Reel 3)

The word Anzac was coined by Sir W R Birdwood, when he was asked to suggest a telegraphic code address for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps in Egypt. The term stuck and the exploits of the Anzacs, particularly at Gallipoli, have assume mythical status.

The Anzac Book is filled with a mixture of stories, lampoons, poems, sketches, historical noted (including transcribed orders) and recollections. It is easy to see how such writings could help to fuel the mythos, building up a picture of a bold, defiant, yet chirpy and irreverent Anzac type, who would stand shoulder to shoulder with his mates in the face of adversity. No wonder then, that the account given in the Official War History produced in London created such a flash-point in 1927 when it suggested that the Australian troops had been confused, had shown disregard for authority and that a stream of stragglers - many unwounded - had returned to the beaches when a co-ordinated Allied attack was in progress. This latter account was clearly at odds with the ideal that had been created. More seriously, it was also at odds with "The Story of ANZAC" - an interim "official" history compiled from the dispatches of Sir Ian Hamilton (pages 71-95 of The Anzac Book). What is clear is that: the orders, and consequently the soldiers, were confused; the soldiers - many untried - were placed under great stress; the terrain proved to be more difficult than had been supposed; and that exhaustion had contributed to worsening morale. The Anzac book is a fitting tribute to the troops who served in Egypt and Gallipoli and a fine compendium of war writing. The drawings by Crozier, Barker and others evoke the spirit of the men, and many maps and photographs provide some idea of the landscape and the realities of the campaign.

ANZACS

The children unborn shall acclaim The standard the ANZACS unfurled, When they made Australasia's fame, The wonder and pride of the world.

Some of you got a V C, Some the "Gallipoli trot", Some had a grave by the sea, And all of you got damned hot, And I see you go limping through town In the faded old blue hospital blue, And driving abroad - lying down, And Lord, but I wish I were you!

I envy you beggars I meet, From the dirty old hats on your head To the rusty old boots on your feet - I envy you living or dead. A knighthood is fine in its way, A peerage gives splendour and fame, But I'd rather have tacked any day That word to the end of my name.

I'd count it the greatest reward That ever a man could attain; I'd sooner be "Anzac" than "lord", I'd rather be "Anzac" than "thane". Here's a bar to the medal you wear, There's a word that will glitter and glow, And an honour a king cannot share When you're back in the cities you know.

The children unborn shall acclaim The standard the ANZACS unfurled, When they made Australasia's fame, The wonder and pride of the world.

EDGAR WALLACE

Two further journals of related interest appear on the same reel. The Parting of the Ways (WRB 18.305) is, as the title suggests, a souvenir issue produced aboard the troopship "Zealandic" as the troops returned home from the war. Chronicles of the NZEF (WRB 104.1-5, continuing on Reel 4) is dedicated to the affairs of the New Zealand forces who served in France throughout the war. As well as providing pen- sketches of life at the Front and in training camp, it provides valuable genealogical data in the form of lists of casualties, hospital reports (giving name, rank, number and status) and notes of known prisoners of war.

The Wipers Times and successors (WRB 108.1-2, Reel 4)

The Wipers Times is perhaps the best known of all Trench Journals. Produced in runs of 100, 200 or 300 copies each, it was fortunate that a complete copy of the journal and its successors was saved and formed the basis of the facsimile reprint which appeared immediately after the war 1918. The journal was produced in close proximity to the front line as the editor explains:

"Numbers 1 and 2 of The Wipers Times will always be our own particular pets because of the circumstances under which they were done. They were produced on the original press up by the Cloth Hall, in the days when the air was generally full of shells. One page only could be done at a time, and we had no "y"s and "e"s to spare when the page was put up in the chaser the sergeant and his "devils" would go to the door and look at the atmosphere. If all was moderately quiet then they would make a dash for the "works" and stay till Fritz got too near to be pleasant. Also these were days of wild alarms and excursions, and often one had to stop writing an article in order to "stand to".

…

Have you ever sat in a trench in the middle of a battle and corrected proofs? Try it. That is what happened at the Somme, and The Somme Times was the result. The paper has never yet been printed out of the front area, and once our works were within 700 yards of the front line and above ground."

The journal pokes fun at censorship by making reference to "the war, which we hear is taking place in Europe", and is full of mischievous humour:

"No. 7 informs us that a German band was heard playing at about 11.30a.m. This new terror leaves us cold, as we take it to be only another phase of frightfulness."

"TRY OUR NEW CIRCULAR TOUR, EMBRACING ALL THE HEALTH RESORTS OF LOVELY BELGIUM. Books of Coupons Obtainable From R. E. Cruting & Co., London. Agents Everywhere."

The Indian (WRB 569, Reel 9) This was the journal of the US Second Division (a combined division incorporating the Army, Navy and Marine Corps) and provides a variety of fine drawings, photographs and writing. The last issue was produced on the high seas and contains thoughts familiar to the homeward bound:

"The Second Division is, once more, moving to another area. We don't have to ask the Regulating officer what that area is. It is the spot of which we have thought and dreamed ever since we landed in France. It is the place where our hearts have always been. It is HOME."

With Lancashire Lads and Field Guns in France, 1915-1918, by Major Neil Fraser-Tytler, DSO, RHA (TF) (WRC 17.2, Reel 10)

This is a good example of a testimonial volume - printed in Sheffield in 1922 and with only a limited circulation. It takes the form of a series of letters (transcribed, with accompanying maps and diagrams to explicate the text) written to his father by a Gunner Officer in France between November 1915 and August 1918. The letters describe the journey from Larkhill to Havre and thence to the Front; the thrill of early action dulling with experience; the many minor tragedies and comedies that made up life at the Front; the battles of Frise, the Somme, Arras, Messines, Ypres and the aftermath of war.

At one point, the author provides a Diary of Daily Events:

"9.00pm Arrival of Water Cart and Cook's Cart, with Mail and Rations. The usual amount of paper to be sent back to the two Adjutants. Enter the Sergt. - major with a list of stuff sent up and the unserviceable gear to be sent down.

9.15pm Salandere, the French subaltern, looked in chiefly to poach from my O. P. report book a lot of rather exciting things seen during the day, Hun relief's and transport movement, in order that he could 'phone them to his Colonel. He rarely observes himself.

9.30pm Inspected night lines of the guns and then to bed.

10.00pm Urgent 'phone message from Group, "How many men can I send to baths at Chipilly tomorrow at 9am.? Answer 5.

10.15pm 'Phone message from Group, "The French are going to have a gas test at 9am tomorrow, so disregard noise."

10.45pm Very urgent message from Group, "The baths at Chipilly are indefinitely closed."

11.48pm Hear a certain amount of Hun shelling down near the Mill lasting for two minutes.

11.51pm Hear Captain Nunn's 18-pdrs. spitting back.

Midnight Half the world talking at once on the 'phone and presently my call goes and the voice of the Group Adjutant announces that the crowd at the Mill were not content with 18-pdr. retaliation, as they have been strafed with 4.2s. Would I fire, and, if so, what at? I replied that with my present stick of targets on hand I could offer a nice line, viz., the top of the Bluff, and as that was only 100 yards from the Mill our people would hear the noise and feel braver. The Adjutant agrees.

12.01am 'Phoned to the telephone exchange, "Left section action." The second telephonist on duty megaphones the order, the sentry switched on the left section electric installation, and the guard stirs up the detachments. No. 3 gun is already on the target, No. 4 gun is switched to it, the tap is turned on for two minutes, and then back to bed.

12.06am From bed ring up Adjutant and report execution, He says, "If the Hun strafes the Mill again repeat the dose."

12.07am 'Phone to exchange for the N.C.O. of guard, and give orders for a repeat dose if the Hun reopens.

1.05am Awakened by a desperate row down by the Mill and loud megaphone squawks form both sides of my dug-out. in less than 45 secs. gun fire is opened, and after two minutes back to bed and asleep by 1.10am. 2.45am It was my morning to do the dawn gas "stand-to".

The N.C.O. of the Guard wakes me, but as the wind is right he dismissed the men and remain in bed myself.

6.00am Enter Hickey with shaving water, and I get up and write out reports.

7.00am Breakfast.

7.30am Depart with Sergt.-Major, a No. 1 and 13 men to our future position. About fifteen minutes walk. Start the men on a trench between the mess and the guns. Call on Paul, the O.C. of the Battery at present occupying the position, Find him in bed. Collect a drink and then back to plan a big ammunition pit, about the only thing needed in the position.

9.30am Returned to Paul's mess and look at the papers while he wrestles with returns.

10.0am We both decide to pay a call on Colonel R K Walsh, commanding the 2nd Royal Scots in front of us. About half an hour's walk takes us there. Find him in his office and discuss various things not connected with war, and finally I ask him how his Company at the Mill was, after last night. To my disgust I find that they had quite forgotten to report our kind of retaliation to their headquarters, so said I would not fire for them, again for ages and ages.

11.00am Look at Hunland from a very pleasant trench 250 feet above the march, a glorious view of water, hills and marsh.

11.30am Reached Vaux Wood, showed Paul the O.P., and then to the Battery, exit Paul.

1.30pm Relieved the Sub. at the O.P. Salandere turned up, and I explained the zone for his future information.

3.00pm Not a shot was being fired and things were hot, dull and sleepy, so suggested stirring up the Huns on this side of the river; back to his O.P., where we lay on a sunny bank while he sprayed the Hun front line with his 75mm. gun, which seemed to cause considerable annoyance.

3.30pm Returned to my O.P. and watched nothing till 5pm. heard three rifle shots to 5pm. and saw 20 anti-aircraft shells, but no other firing. Discussed the dullness of life with various other O.P.s over the telephone.

5.00pm The Sergt.-Major relieved me at O.P.

5.30pm Tea and many envelopes marked "Urgent", "Secret", or "Very urgent", containing such important matter as "Now that it is summer, 'frost cogs' must no longer be drawn".

6.30pm Called on Colonel Johnson at his Battalion Headquarters a few hundred yards from us.

7.30pm Dinner, and so endeth a very average day."

HQ Tanks, 1917-1918 (WRC 17.7, Reel 10)

Privately printed in 1920, this volume tells the story of the introduction of tanks into modern warfare. The Battle of Cambrai (20 November 1917) is well described and "it meant something more than a defeat of the Germans: it had achieved the supreme result of convincing G.H.Q. on the subject of tanks".

Another source concerning tank warfare is The Whippet: 24 Tank Corps O.C.B.(WRC 560, Reel 16).

The Mudlark, or The Bedfordshire Gazette (Journal of the 1st Bedfordshire Battalion (WRC 403, Reel 15).

Produced by the officers of the 1st Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment whilst on active service "somewhere in France", The Mudlark is unsparing in its portraits of figures such as the "Staff Captain". " Having been an interviewer all my life - (my victims having included six sultans, three Popes, four leaders of the Turkish Imperial Harem, Charlie Chaplin and his brother-in-law, most of the prominent criminals of the Century, and a Mormon Elder) - I may claim some consideration for the pronouncement that I am about to make, which is that never, in all my career, have I interviewed a great man whose personality has so impressed, nay, overawed me, as that of the eminent Staff Captain, the professional obstructionist, the greatest expert on Stationery Warfare that has ever lived.

Observe the esteem, nay, almost worship, with which he is regarded by the minions (and their name is legion) by whom he is surrounded. "A proper nut" as the orderly at the door described him. "One of the lads of the village," the description applied to him by his own confidential clerk.

Observe the steely eye, the lantern jaw, the sparse moustache, the ancient breeches, the "nutty" boots, all unmistakable sign of genius and of the man of iron, disguised beneath an exterior of genial buffoonery.

Rising to greet me on my entrance with a cheery obscenity, he walked down the long cellar that served as Brigade headquarters, a packet of Army forms in either hand, balancing a grenade return on his nose. "Ah, good-day," he cried, "so you come from The Mudlark. Good old Mudlark. How it reminds us of England, Home, and Beauty!

I remember, many years ago---"; but he was immediately lost in some dreamy contemplation of his murky past, only being roused after some minutes by a large drop of water from the ceiling finding a resting place between his collar and his skin.

"And what of the War?" I asked.

"Ah - the War!" he said, recovering himself, "Ah, to be sure, the War!" Turning to a logbook on a table near by, he consulted it for nearly twenty minutes before answering me. "The War," he said, at length, "is still going on." "And when will it end?" I persevered.

"Who knows?" he asked "Yet - (we all hung on his words) - one thing is certain", he continued, amidst breathless suspension, "if it's not over by this time next year - it will still be in progress."

Beautifully illustrated by E G Harvey, it is sad that only one copy of this Journal survives. However, it is typical of a whole genre of Trench journals which includes The Gasper: The unofficial organ of the BEF (WRA 487, Reel 1), The Fifth Glo'ster Gazette (WRA 494, Reel 1), The Wipers Times (see above), The Dead Horse Corner Gazette (journal of the Canadian BEF ) (WRB 422, Reel 6), The Mudhook, with which is incorporated "Dardanelles Dug-out Gossip" (WRB 479, Reel 7), Trench Echo (WRB 494, Reel 7), Trot-Talk or East Coast Splashes (WRB 520, Reel 9), The Fag End: An unofficial organ of the 3rd Battalion Queen Victoria's Rifles (WRB 588, Reel 9), The Whizz-bang (see below), Soldiers Pie (32nd Reinforcements NZEF) (see below), The Grim Old Lion's Dare-devil's Gazette WRC 426, Reel 15), and The Wormlet (WRC 530, Reel 16). It would be interesting to compare attitudes towards officers across the whole spectrum of these journal, as well as examining attitudes towards the enemy and feelings concerning the goal of the War.

The "Whizz-Bang" (WRC 404, Reel 15)

Described as "A Monthly from the Front, Written and Edited in the Trenches", The Whizz-Bang offers a mixture of cartoons, poems and satire. One feature that it shares in common with other Trench journals is its list of "Things we Want to Know."

"Who the Subaltern was who was patted on the head and given a piece of toffee by a well-meaning but mistaken inhabitant the other morning.

How to distinguish in wet weather between a Trench Communication, and a drain, common or garden.

Whether the entire staff of the "Daily Mail" would not be doing more good filling sandbags in France than emptying windbags in Fleet Street.

Why Every other Battalion is always the most slovenly rabble in Europe, and whether they think the same. When I am gong to get MY LEAVE."

These features, even though they were written with comic intent, tell us a great deal about life in the trenches, the gripes of the soldiers and inter-allied rivalry. Other articles in the Journal also introduce us to Trench Sports such as "Dodging the Sausage", "Gumboots and Craters" and "Chits".

The Link (Journal of the N Z E F ) (WRC 414, Reel 15)

Yet another addition to "the ever increasing records of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force" The Link is largely written in a serious and contemplative vein. This is not entirely surprising as the journal was produced onboard ship, on the long voyage to France where the troops on board were to join the action. There are some fine sketches as well as a number of photographs. A later part in this series will concentrate in other sources which provide more visual evidence of this kind. The poetry is also a notable feature - as it is in many of these journals, To give but one example:

Sunset at Sea

O, For the words which might in full portray This loveliness that marks the close of day: The beauty of the vision and the dream That comes to us from o'er the ocean's gleam. 'Tis in such hours with nature that we find To what high realms of thought an eager mind May fast ascend. It is such happy scenes, Such grandeur in the heavens display, that weans The weary worker form the world's oppress And awakes his soul with a soft caress. Long do we linger leaning o'er the rail, Rapt in the past western heights unveil - A breath of jasmine lingers in the air, A soft-toned woman's voice; and in his lair, High-perched, ere through the fading light the wings To rest, the welcome thrush, exultant, sings - All the harmony of eve returns, And in the heart a fire rekindled burns. D.A.

The Dagger or "London in the Line" (WRC 415, Reel 15)

The Dagger was the journal of the 56th (London) Division, and resonates with high ideals. It shows how a journal of this type could play a part in maintaining strong morale - the Division's recent combat record is recounted to give the men a sense of common purpose and of great deeds already achieved:

"In the Battle of ARRAS last year (the Division) took TELEGRAPH HILL, NEUVILLE VITASSE and WANCOURT. And in the 3rd, from VANGUARD TRENCH to SAINT ROHART, and again on the 12th of the month at TOOL TRENCH.

In Flanders in September it was in the dreadful GLENCOURSE WOOD and NUN'S WOOD fighting, and did extremely well under terrible conditions of ground and weather.

At CAMBRAI it was just outside the front of the original attack, but came in later in support of the Ulstermen, and finally shared with the 2nd and the 47th in the struggle round INCHY and MOEUVRES and the triumphant fighting of November 30th and subsequent days.

This year it was one of the Divisions which beat off the German attack towards ARRAS on March 28th, when the enemy suffered one of the bloodiest defeats of the whole war; so that with this fighting and that at CAMBRAI to its credit it has probably killed off as many Germans as any Division in the British Army.

Now to this proud record is to be added the splendid advance of which the Commander-in -Chief has told. The 56th has proved itself a great fighting division."

The journal features some good poetry and one article of particular interest is "Will Peace Last?" in the issue for February 1919. The author notes that air-power and submarine warfare are new elements which will introduce space and movement into future wars. He suggests the need for an international inspectorate to check the growth of military machines under any future Napoleon, he argues for differences to be settled by an International Arbitration Court, and suggests economic embargoes as a way of bringing recalcitrant nations to heel. Aussie: The Australian Soldiers' Magazine (WRC 464, Reel 15)

Printed in the field by the A I F Printing Section, the Aussie "makes no claim to high literacy attainments. His one object in life is to be bright and cheerful and interesting - to reflect that happy spirit and good humour so strongly evident throughout the Aussie army."

The cartoons are excellent and a typical short story is as follows:

" The weary pongo was wending his way frigidly along the duckboards when he encountered a sentry. "Halt! - password?" The weary one carefully searched his thought-box, but couldn't recall the required word. He remembered, however, that it was the name of a place in Australia, so he began to run through all the places he knew, in the hope of striking it: "Bondi, Woolloomooloo, Budgaree, Warangatta, Cootamundra, Murrumbidgee, Wagga Wagga, We-- " "Pass on, Digger, " interrupted the sentry, "you've got the dinkum talk!" "

Aussie also provides a series of articles on what to do when on leave in Paris, Field Entertainment, Education at the Front, the Tabby - or the Australian Woman - and the Future Australia. Twelve issues have been preserved, providing a substantial record of the Digger's view of the war. The last is for April 1919 and there is almost a sense of regret in the journal that the troops will all return to their separate homes.

With Rifleman, Scouts and Snipers by F M Crum (WRD 17.2, Reel 17)

Privately printed in Oxford in 1921, this volume contains the reminiscences of F M Crum, Major of the 8th King's Royal Rifles. Many are based on notes made at the time, such as this description of his first sight of trenches:

" It is really a very strange experience, something quite new to me. You leave headquarters, where all is comparatively peaceful, say good-bye to the comfortable rooms and baths and gardens, and start down a long winding communication trench. You see distant trenches in varying directions, German or British? At first one has no idea; bullets come pinging over the top, occasionally one is advised to stoop to avoid some dangerous point. After a walk of over a mile one comes to some dug-out (You have seen them in the Daily Mirror), then one is lost in a maze of trenches, all numbered and lettered and known to the particular moles who live in them. You see men resting and hear them snoring in holes which no tramp would say " thank you" for - even a wet day. These men have been up all night, improving the parapets and entanglements, perhaps, often under fire, or perhaps on sentry. Or you see them cooking in their billies over smokeless braziers, or watching the German trenches through periscopes. You squash past them; there is little room to pass, "Gangway there," says some good old fellow, and they all make room somehow. You dodge round traverses and under traverses, at some points the Hun is only 30 yards off, at others 300, and all day long you hardly ever see a sign of Fritz, in site of a continual pinging and smack and whack of bullets passing mostly harmlessly overheard or into sandbags. With experience men grow more artful and the danger is reduced. But I can't go on with the endless impressions, the novelty of it all, and the interest - it is hopeless to try. One impression stands out - I marvel at the men who stuck it right through the winter; it is marvellous, and they are heroes."

The account goes on to tell of Ypres, Hooge, Watou; of Courts Martial; of gas attacks; of Boy Scouts (Crum was an ardent supporter of Baden-Powell's movement, and the book includes correspondence with him); and of the role of sniping in trench warfare.

Serbia and the Serbians, by Lady Muriel Herbert (WRD 17.102, Reel 17)

Privately printed in London in 1915, this volume describes Lady Herbert's experiences when she was working with the Second Serbian Relief Fund Unit. Well illustrated with photographs, this account takes us into the shelled wards of the Hotel/Hospital Liberty in Skoplje in 1915. In amidst her work - dealing with typhus victims much of the time - Lady Herbert travelled far and wide, spreading the care to local villagers. She describes her trek to Albania in detail.

Some Impressions of an officer, by G M Locks (WRD 17.325, Reel 20) This small booklet comprises a series of transcribed letters written by "the FOO" whilst serving with the Indian Expeditionary Force in Mesopotamia. It is one of a number of sources contained in this part concerning the African and Asian dimensions of the War - others include: Australia in Palestine (WRB 17.6, Reel 2), Doings in German East Afrika (WRB 487, Reel 7), Barrak: The Camel Corps Review (WRC 402, Reel 15) and Baghdad, Babylon, Nineveh (WRD 17.103, Reel 17).

The Soldiers' War Slang Dictionary WRD 46.396, Reel 20

Together with Digger Dialects (WRD 46.397, immediately following), this is an invaluable guide to the slang and jargon of British and Australasian soldiers during World War 1. Taken together they provide definitions for about 1,500 terms, including:

'ALF A MO A small moustache. ARCHIE Anti-Aircraft Gun or Shell. THE BABIES Something very good. BANTAMS Short soldiers, Also known as NUGGETS. BLIGHTY-ONE A wound severe enough to cause a man to be sent to England for treatment. BLOB A glass of beer. BOKO The nose. BODHOOK (BONDOCK) Rifle. " The soldier's best friend." From Hindustani (cf. Swahili Bunduki) BONZA/BONZER Good, excellent. CHARLIE Infantryman's pack. CHIT Voucher for rations, clothing, etc. CIVVY A civilian. CLOBBER Clothes or stuff. COBBER Friend. COME ON TALLY PLONK How are you getting on? (Comment allez-vous?) CORPSE FACTORY The Western Front. DAG A humorist. DEKKO From the Hindustani verb Dekhna, to see. Dekho is the imperative, look or see! DINGBAT An officer's servant. Also, a BUMBRUSHER. DINKUM Truly, honestly. D S O Dirty Shirt On. DUCKBOARD A board laid down to facilitate getting about in mud … also; DUCKBOARD HARRIER A Battalion runner. DUD Rotten, useless, empty. DUGGIE Earl Douglas Haig. EYEWASH. Camouflage. FIZZA Parade (Barrackroom). FLOATING KIDNEY A Soldier unattached to any unit. GONG A medal. GUBBINS Stuff, personal belongings, stores, etc. HAIRY-BELLY A sycophant. HARD JACK Bully and biscuit. HOT-CROSS BUN Red Cross Ambulance. IN DOCK In hospital. JUGGED Imprisoned. LEADSWINGER A person who schemes with the object of avoiding duty in dangerous area; a malingerer. LID Steel helmet. LONGNOSED CHUM Horse. MAGGOTTY Angry. MEAT-SKEWER Bayonet. Also known as a PIG STICKER. MUD-HOOK Anchor (as in the game of Crown & Anchor). NIX Nothing; no. "Nix on that" (German nicht or nichts). THE OLD MAN The Company Commander or Commanding Officer. ONE OF OURS Said of a shell dropping near the front-line trenches. "Its all right; it's one of ours." P B I Poor Bloody Infantry/Permanent Blooming Infantry. PUKKA Hindustani: Real; proper. RACE CARD Morning Sick Report. SAMMY An American soldier. SHOW A LEG Get up. SKIVE To shirk a duty. SPARKY Wireless operator. SQUATTI A private, Also SQUADDY, SWADDY. SQUIFFY Half drunk. STAND-TO On the alert; the period just before dawn when a surprise attack might be expected. TANKS The Tanks go their name from the belief when they were being manufactured that they were water- carriers for the troops in Egypt. TOFFEE-APPLES Trench Mortars. TWO DOTS AND A DASH Fried eggs and bacon. UMPTEEN Large but indefinite number. UNCLE NED Bed. VELVET (TO BE ON) An easy job. Also a CUSHY NUMBER or WITH JAM ON. WHIZZ-BANG Names of shells. Also FLYING PIG, IRON WOOLLY BEAR FOUNDRY and others. YELLOW PERIL Cheap cigarettes. ZERO The exact time of attack.