| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR03117 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 1 wallet: 1cm |
| Object type | Diary, Souvenir |
| Maker |
Unknown Whyte, Elson Verco |
| Place made | At sea, South Africa: Natal, Durban |
| Date made | 1918-1919 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Whyte, Elson Verco (Private, b.1900 - d.1922)
Description
Papers of 62611 Private (Pte) Elson Verco Whyte of the 6th General Reinforcements. The collection consists of a diary, a letter and a poem entitled 'The Boys of the "Boonah" 1918-1919'. The diary covers the period 19 October 1918-31 January 1919 and relates to Whyte's journey on the troopship SS Boonah and the stopover in Durban. There are brief entries while at sea, including mention of frequent bouts of sea sickness and longer entries relating to the stop in Durban, including entries about Ethel Campbell of Durban, 'the Durban signaller'. The letter, addressed to Syd and Jeff, is dated 12 November 1918 and mentions the announcement of the signing of the armistice. Whyte never saw active service as the war ended before he reached the front.