WORLD WAR ONE Manuscript Diary ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT Journal
A unique World War One Journal compiled by Private James McDonald of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. A unique journal compiled by Private James McDonald of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment between December 1916 to July 1918, providing a detailed account of his military service during the First World War. The journal provides a wealth of information about Private McDonald's wartime experiences; his training, movements, experiences in the trenches, and encounters on the Western and Italian fronts.
A special survival from the First World War providing a fascinating first-hand account of a soldier's experiences of war and an important historical record of the brave and vital military service provided by members of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Original card backed boards, 7.5cm12.2cm, 76 pages of manuscript text, ownership inscription together with regiment details and home address of Private McDonald to the front pastedown.
The journal has been well looked after and carefully preserved. Some wear to the binding, the occasional minor blemish to the contents; very good.
A full typed transcript of the contents of the journal is available. The journal commences on the 24th December 1916. Left Chisledon for France on the 24th Dec 1916 - Marched to Chisledon Stn accomp(anied) by Brass & Flute bands. They played Gren(adier) Guards, Tipp(errary), The Girl I Left Behind Me and as the train went off they played "The Swanee River" & Auld Lang Syne. Arrived in S(ou)th Hampton at 11.20am. After arriving in France, Private McDonald undertook numerous training sessions and exercise movements.For example, on the 29th December 1916, Private McDonald records. Parade in full marching order.
Lect(ure) on the use of gas helmets. Had to go through the gas chambers with gas helmets on. The effects of tear shells. Fin(ished) for the day at 2.30pm. Trench warfare commenced for Private McDonald in February 1917.
On February 1st 1917 he writes. Issued with 3 bombs, 50 rounds amm(unition). Ready to proceed up the line taking over the French position. Left at 4pm arrived at 8pm Peronne District. Insight into the horrors of trench warfare is provided in the journal.
For example on February 4th 1917, he writes. Painful duty of burying the dead.
Very bad night of shells, snipers, a hot time. Out from 1am coming back we lost our way, had to wait in a dugout until morning, unsafe to go out.
On March 27th 1917, he writes. Shifted further up to trenches. Private McDonald records some of the injuries and deaths to the men he is serving with. For example, on April 28th 1917. On March 25th 1917 he wrote. An insight into the importance of receiving communications from loved ones at home to keep up morale is indicated on July 15th 1917. Walked to Belle in the afternoon to see if there was any letters. On March 18th 1917, Private McDonald writes.Arrived at Halle at 2am. Patrol duty the whole night. Marched on to Maimont then to Peronne (City). The last Germans must have left this city some time ago. No sign of any Boches.
Was one shot coming through the city. What a city of destruction, burning b(ui)ld(ing)s a sad sight. Was brought across the canal on ponte (RE).
The wells poisoned with arsenic (lovely day). Left Peronne for up the line. Stopped at Salicourt & Epely moved up to the trenches. Up to the front line (advanced past) there for 24 hrs very heavy bombard(ment). Germans using a search-light, a bit exciting, glad to get relieved. Marched to Longavenes (dead tired). Rifle Insp(ection) Lewis Gun instruction. Standing to at 3.30am. Off to carry bombs strained my ankle had to return to dugouts. Set out on an attack on a German outpost. Jock leaves for musk(etry) course. Had to report to O/C Sig(nal) Section. Sent to station in the front line. Aircraft busy on both sides. German aircraft dropping bombs not far from our camp. Enemy shelling quite near our camp.A bit exciting while it lasted. It started between 1am - 2am. Lamp Flag & Shutter reading. Left between 4am - 5am marched to Canal Bank had breakfast there.
What a quantity of batteries we saw on our road up. Left Canal Bank at 7.15am. Passed through a heavy barrage of fire shells dropping quite close to us. Had to change our route shell drops right by our side. Got a shower bath it landing in a hole full of water.
Met a lot of British & German soldiers coming down the line. Got into a trench where we were sniped at a great deal, two chaps gets wounded in this trench. I moved to Batt(alion). Moved further into the line.
Stops in a shell (hole) for 24 hrs. At Coy Hqrs they thought I was missing. Goes to Coy Hqrs where I stay there. Concrete dugout full of water, got a bit of a nights rest.
British Artillery very busy shelling continuous the whole day. Arrives all safe about 3am (very thankful) (Reedrich Camp). This place is shelled quite a lot.
Left at 12.45am for the Canal Bank to be in reserve. We had to (put) on our gas helmets before leaving camp owing to gas shells (Mustard Gas). It did make our eyes water. We had to wear them right to the Canal Bank - Rifle & Gas Helmet Insp(ection).
Expected to go up the line (but no). Jock & I goes up the line with C Co(mpan)y. Shelled going up the road. Gets into a big bloke (block) house (cement) plenty of shells coming across. Watching lamp & shutter signals. Attack comes off at 2pm. Had to cross to our Batt(alion).Hqrs until 6pm & advanced to German gun pits. What a barrage to pass through with the rain falling into shell holes it was terrible. Gets relieved & very glad too. Gets back from the line about 2am. Wet & covered with mud.
We entrained to Poperinghe & went to a barn for a billet. Between 1st November 1917 and 15th December 1917, Private McDonald details his admission to hospital and recovery before returning to military duty. Private McDonald records his experiences on Christmas Day in 1917. On boxing day 1917 he was back to military duty. The warfare Private McDonald participated in during 1917 was all in France.
In January 1918, he arrived to fight on the Italian front. On January 6th 1918 he writes. Stopped there for a short time also at Porto Mauruzio (Riviera), Savona, Campier Darena. Italian ladies & gentlemen gave us cigs, matches &????All along the way the Italians gave us a grand reception. We marched to camp at Aquatic snowing heavily (in tents) miserable weather.
The coldest day I have ever experienced. A touch of frost bitten feet. A touch of the PHO again.
We got our blankets carried also our kits (part of the way). Met Jock out practising signalling very pleased to see him. I had tea with Jock then had a walk round the village.
Slept with the Platoon for a night. Up to see our positions at Crosara. Very steep hill climbing got a lovely view of the surrounding country. From Nove to Crosara a distance of 18 miles. It was a nice days outing. Anniversary of our first time in trenches.Out on a forward position from 5am to 8pm. One of our Company's made a stunt, 1 prisoner taken.
What a night of rain. Slept through the bombard(ment). Stunt on one of the Austrian positions. Watching Lamp from forward position under a fairly heavy bombardment.
Taken by motor to the St(atio)n. Passed through Thiene arrived at a place called Vallavoria. Took the train from there arrived at a small village. Slept there for the night.
Left Sig(nal) School to rejoin Batt(alion). Got ride on motor from Calvana to Thiene then to Castelgomberto. I thought the batt(alion) was at Castlegombero but found that they were at Montecchio Maggiore. The final entry in the journal is on July 12th 1918.