Series SMITH, WD 1 - Diary of service on the Western Front, 1914-1916, World War One

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SMITH, WD 1

Title

Diary of service on the Western Front, 1914-1916, World War One

Date(s)

  • 1914 Aug 13 - 1916 Dec 12 (Creation)

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Extent

5 files

Scope and content

Manuscript diary, 13 Aug 1914 - 12 Dec 1916, relating to Smith's service with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front, World War One, in command of 1 Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, Aug-Nov 1914, as commander of 9 Brigade, Nov 1914 - Mar 1916, and as commander of 20 (Light) Division, Mar 1916 - Dec 1916. Contents include: the Battle of Mons, 23 Sep 1914; the Battle of Le Cateau, 26 Aug 1914; the First Battle of the Marne, 5-12 Sep 1914; the First Battle of the Aisne, 13-28 Sep 1914; the Battle of La Bassee, 18-29 Oct 1914; the First Battle of Ypres, Nov 1914; the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, 11 Mar 1915; the Second Battle of Ypres, Apr-May 1915; the Second Battle of Artois, May-Jun 1915; the Battle of Loos, 25 Sep 1915; the Battle of the Somme, Jul 1916; the Battle of Le Transloy, Oct 1916. Written on loose sheets and sent to his wife, Kathleen Smith (nee Kathleen Edith Beyts), who transcribed the diaries into four volumes. PLEASE NOTE: the copy transcripts (ref: SMITH, WD 2) additionally include diary entries, 13 Dec 1916 - 11 Dec 1917, for which the originals have not survived.

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