The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Collection relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Percy Ernest Nimmo, 48th Infantry Battalion. Collection consists of a typed transcription of a diary covering his entire period of service from embarkation on 11 April 1916 to his return to Australia and disembarkation on 3 July 1919.
In this diary, Nimmo commences to document his active service after embarkation from Adelaide. He outlines his own duties as well as general routines aboard HMAT Aeneas during the voyage to Egypt. Nimmo subsequently describes his first impressions of camp at Tel el Kabir, and training in challenging conditions at various locations in Egypt before proceeding to England. During this voyage, Nimmo comments on the presence of German spies on board the ship posing as Y.M.C.A. representatives, strict procedures enforced during the voyage, and expectation amongst the troops as the ship approaches England.
Whilst in England, Nimmo records his training activities and broader experiences exploring much of the country over a period of eleven months. He describes his initiation to Rollestone Camp, stints at Codford and Tidworth Camps, and training at bombing and rifle schools of instruction at Hayling Island and Lyndhurst. He also notes attending a number of large parades including occasions where King George V inspected troops at Bulford in September 1916 and April 1917, offering his impressions of the resultant pageantry and the bearing of the King.
After departing England, Nimmo records his journey to the Western Front and his first experiences on the front line during the Battle of Messines. He subsequently details his observations of active service in Belgium and France, describing scenes following the Battle of Polygon Wood, accounts of action relating to the German Somme offensive and his recollections of the Battle of Hamel and the Battle of Amiens amongst other events. After the Armistice, Nimmo remarks on the plight of refugees returning to ruined towns, and provides an insight into the broader state of affairs after travelling through France, Belgium and Germany on a period of leave. Concluding diary entries largely document Nimmo's journey from France to England and his voyage back to Australia.
Diary transcript relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Percy Ernest Nimmo, 48th Infantry Battalion, 11 April 1916 - 3 July 1919. In this diary, Nimmo commences to document his active
Collection relating to the First World War service of 1101 Private Percy Thomas Carroll, 23rd Infantry Battalion, 1915-1917. Collection consists of a black covered diary spanning the period 8 May 1915
Diary relating to the First World War service of Lieutenant Percy George Rupert Parkes, 23rd Infantry Battalion, May 1915 - May 1916 In the first of three diaries written by Percy George Rupert Parke
Collection relating to the Second World War service of 423892 Flight Lieutenant Allan John Rate, No. 462 Squadron, RAAF. Collection consists of a handwritten diary in a lined exercise book covering
Diary relating to the First World War service of 1586 Private Verner Gladders Knuckey, 2nd Squadron, Australian Flying Corps. The diary was kept by Private Knuckey between 3 September 1917 and 22 Nov
Collection relating to the First World War service of 292 (later 4076) Corporal Samuel Hedley Hemming Hawkins. Hawkins enlisted in 1914 with the service number 292, and served with 15 Battalion in Ga