The Australian War Memorial Collection. Test site
Papers of No. 451 Sergeant Labracht Fredwick E. Tesch (1st Battalion), comprising two original personal diaries (for 1916 and 1919) and two hand written notebooks on signalling. The 1916 diary begins with summaries of his experiences following enlistment in October 1914, especially fighting at Gallipoli (including the landing on 25 April, the Turkish attack on 18/19 May and the battle of Lone Pine). After describing his signaller training at Zeitoun (Egypt) in early 1916, the diary proper documents his service in the front line in France and Belgium, initially in the Hazebrouck/Bailleul area (from mid-April), then in the Albert/Somme theatre where he participated in the Battle of Pozieres, and later in the Ypres Salient and the Somme again (referring to Fricourt, Dernancourt and Marmetz). The diary describes his signalling duties manning telephones, and laying and maintaining communication lines during fighting. The diary for 1919 (in 1918 format) describes his return to Australia. The notebooks contain technical notes on radio procedures and equipment.
Original diary and transcript mentioning German shelling, duties with 4 Division Signals, and recreation (particularly cricket, the YMCA, and the `Blue Dandies') Mentions action in and Allonville, Gli
Two diaries (attached) (May 1916-August 1917) and part manuscript copy covering November 1916-August 1917 of No. 12062 Private S.F. Shearman (9th Field Ambulance). The second original diary covers his
Typed transcription of the personal diary of No. 9302 Gunner Kenneth Sydney Day (4th Field Artillery Brigade) from his enlistment in October 1914 until his return to Australia in September 1917. It co
Original letter written by Sergeant Herbert (Bert) Keily (No.1152, 10 Battalion, 1st Reinforcements, D Comapny, 15 Platoon) on 15 June 1915 to his mother from the trenches in Turkey. He describes the
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 Armenti
Collection relating to the First World War service of 2639 Private (later Sergeant) Verdi George Schwinghammer, 42 Australian Infantry Battalion, Australia and France, 1916-1919. The collection consi