McConnell, James (Private, b.1881 - d.1955) Accession Number: AWM2016.638.1

Description

Collection relating to the First World War service of 693 Private James McConnell, 57 Infantry Battalion and 5 Machine Gun Battalion, Australia, Sierra Leone, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, at sea, 1917-1919.

Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of one diary of 191 pages containing hand-written entries recorded almost daily. The entries relate to Private McConnell's second period of service, following his being invalided home to Australia from Gallipoli in November 1915. The diary is a detailed and concise account of Private McConnell's period from his embarkation in Melbourne in June 1917 to his return in February 1919, including specifics on subjects such as rations, leave in England and Ireland, trench warfare and munitions. McConnell describes the period the 57th Infantry Battalion spent around the area of Kemmel in 1918 and the Battle of Amiens in August 1918. Included are details such as munitions used, rates of fire, gas attacks, spies from both sides, and enemy aircraft that were used to bomb his unit's areas. Also featured are details of contents from captured German soldiers and trenches. McConnell was hospitalised several times during this period and there are detailed accounts of his evacuations from the front line and his treatment in hospitals and clearing stations.

Details

Accession Number
AWM2016.638.1
Classification
Private Record
Object Type
Diary
Measurement
Extent: 1 cm
Wallet/s: 1
Date Made
1917-1919
Place Made
Whole/Part
Collection
Item Count
1
Access
Open
Copying Provisions
Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required.
Copyright
Copyright expired - public domain

People

Conflicts

Places

Events

Units

Tags

More like this

Diary of James McConnell, 1917-1919

Digitised Collection AWM2020.22.33 First World War, 1914-1918

Collection relating to the First World War service of 693 Private James McConnell, 57 Infantry Battalion and 5 Machine Gun Battalion, Australia, Sierra Leone, France, Belgium, United Kingdom, at sea,

Ross, Donald Rutherford (Private, b.1894 - d.1982)

Private Record PR02079 First World War, 1914-1918

Diary compiled in a cloth covered notebook by Private Donald Ross of the 23rd Battalion, during the First World War. The entries cover the period 1 January 1916-4 August 1916 relating to his concerns

Smith, Arnott Craigmyle (Corporal, b.1881 - d.1955)

Private Record AWM2023.438.1 First World War, 1914-1918

Collection relating to the First World War service of 286 Corporal Arnott Craigmyle Smith, 7 Australian Infantry Battalion, Egypt and Gallipoli, 1914-1915. Wallet 1 of 1 - Consists of two original h

Grieve, Robert Cuthbert (Private, b.1894 - d.?)

Private Record PR05742 First World War, 1914-1918

Collection relating to the First World War service of 191 Private Robert Cuthbert Grieve, 1 Division Signals. Collection consists of an original handwritten 1915 pocket diary kept by Pte Grieve. The

Giddings, Oliver Thomas (Private, b.? - d.1916)

Private Record PR02028 First World War, 1914-1918

Typescript of a diary written by 1333 Private Oliver Thomas Giddings of 3 Battalion covering the period 27 August 1914 to March 3 1915. Entries detail enlistment and training in Australia, voyage to a

See more similar items →

Record information

Last modified: 28 May 2026 - 7.24 am