First War Journal
Discussion
Just sat and read through your Great Grandfather's journal Dicky, it's a fascinating insight into what went on during WW1, not far from where I live is a place called The Royal Victoria Country Park, it was formerly the site of the biggest hospital in the world at the time of WW1, unfortunately it's long gone now but there's a lot of history and information still available about it, there's also a beautiful war graves cemetery tucked away at the back of the Country Park which is well worth a visit.
Thank you so much for sharing his journal with us.
Thank you so much for sharing his journal with us.
DickyC, thank you for sharing your great grandfather's journal. Several things stand out that I have not seen written about elsewhere. The number and variety of enemy air attacks stand out for one thing. We often here about the dogfighting and to a lesser extent the observation aircraft they were escorting. The bomber attacks behind enemy lines barely seem to get mentioned, yet here is your GGF referring to night bombing attacks by both Zeppelins and aeroplanes.
Three things I may be able to shed light on.
Firstly, the 'P.G.W camp' may in fact be a P.O.W. (Prisoner of War) camp.
Secondly, the babies and the noise they made could well refer to 'baby howitzers'. These were large bore, short barrelled guns positioned close to the front, and would often be hidden amongst trees to camouflage them from observation aircraft; i.e. 'Babes in the Wood', after the traditional children's tale.
A contemporary report mentions them too:
"The different types of our own ordnance also all have their designations. A certain heavy howitzer whose dull boom is easily distinguishable above the reports of any other piece is affectionately termed “Mother,” while another is, somewhat inappropriately called “Baby”. (Evening News,January 1915)."
Finally, the shot down five seater German bomber reported on 14 August, may well be Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV R 43/16 was shot down by Capt. Archibald Buchanan Yuille of No. 151 Squadron RAF on the night 10/11 August.
Three things I may be able to shed light on.
Firstly, the 'P.G.W camp' may in fact be a P.O.W. (Prisoner of War) camp.
Secondly, the babies and the noise they made could well refer to 'baby howitzers'. These were large bore, short barrelled guns positioned close to the front, and would often be hidden amongst trees to camouflage them from observation aircraft; i.e. 'Babes in the Wood', after the traditional children's tale.
A contemporary report mentions them too:
"The different types of our own ordnance also all have their designations. A certain heavy howitzer whose dull boom is easily distinguishable above the reports of any other piece is affectionately termed “Mother,” while another is, somewhat inappropriately called “Baby”. (Evening News,January 1915)."
Finally, the shot down five seater German bomber reported on 14 August, may well be Zeppelin-Staaken R.XIV R 43/16 was shot down by Capt. Archibald Buchanan Yuille of No. 151 Squadron RAF on the night 10/11 August.
Edited by GliderRider on Tuesday 29th June 00:33
Thanks, GliderRider. You given me a lot more to work with. There's so much going on described in so few words.
I left again on the 14 with 6 men / what a time I had / could only get them to walk about 1 miles of a stretch / we got as far Talmas then I got a Drink / I got them on the move again / after a Bit we went and got a Motor which took us nearly to Naours
I would have liked to have been able to say to him it's okay, it's been like that for the bloke in charge since gangs of lads were invented. And probably always will be.
I left again on the 14 with 6 men / what a time I had / could only get them to walk about 1 miles of a stretch / we got as far Talmas then I got a Drink / I got them on the move again / after a Bit we went and got a Motor which took us nearly to Naours
I would have liked to have been able to say to him it's okay, it's been like that for the bloke in charge since gangs of lads were invented. And probably always will be.
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