The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Detailed diary describing experiences as a stretcher bearer and caring for wounded in the trenches on the Western Front from 1916 to 1918. Includes vivid descriptions of heavy gas attacks near Armentieres and heavy artillery fire near Pozieres in the summer of 1916, as well as the miserable conditions and bitter weather endured near Flers during winter 1916/17, carrying the wounded through mud, rain and heavy shelling. Entries for 1917 describe the second attack at Bullecourt and the Third Battle of Ypres, comparing cleanliness and hospitality in relation to the Flanders and Somme battlefield areas. For 1918 the diary includes comments on the beginning of the German offensive in the Somme, German shelling of Hazebrouck, and the use of German prisoners as stretcher bearers after the successful advance by the 1st Australian Division near Proyart (omitting to mention that he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on 22 August). The diary conveys a sense of excitement and adventure, and includes colourful descriptions of unit entertainments, leave in France and "blighty" leave in Britain and Ireland.
Letters and postcards written by Lance Corporal Arthur Gates (5th Pioneer Battalion) while serving in Egypt and France written to family members between April and September 1916. There is also a lette
Diary written by Lance Corporal Arnold Branston Mason of 14 Field Company Engineers, covering 19 July 1916 to 28 August 1917 detailing his part in the Fromelles attack, being wounded in the face and s
Collection relating to the First World War service of 3506 Private David James Stone, 9 th Battalion and 49th Battalion. Collection includes one handwritten diary consisting of twelve pages, rewritten
Collection relating to the First World War service of 1813 Lance Corporal Stanley Hodge, 1st Australian Machine Gun Company, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, Belgium and France, 1918. The collection consis
DIARY RECORDS VOYAGE, TRAINING IN EGYPT, VOYAGE TO FRANCE. DESCRIBES HEAVY FIGHTING AT FROMELLES AND ON THE SOMME. AUTHOR'S ABHORRENCE OF WAR GRADUALLY BECOMES APPARENT, ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO UNBURI
Collection relating to the First World War service of 262 Lance Corporal Alexander Lyall, 17 Battalion, France. Collection consists of an original handwritten diary covering Lyall's service in France