| Place | Europe: France |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | 2DRL/0457 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 1 wallet: 1 cm |
| Object type | Diary, Document, Letter |
| Maker |
Berthon, Eric |
| Place made | France |
| Date made | 1918 |
| Access | Open |
| Related File This file can be copied or viewed via the Memorial’s Reading Room. | AWM93 12/11/4185 |
| 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. |
Berthon, E (Gunner, 38th Bty Field Artillery b.1897 - d.1918)
Description
Collection relating to the First World War service of Gunner Eric Berthon, 38th Battery, 10 Field Artillery, A.I.F. The collection contains typed extracts from letters dated 8 January, 6 May 1918 and typed diary extracts dated 15 April to 6 September 1918.
The letter of 8 January to his father from Heytesbury Camp describes Gunner Berthon’s travel from Colombo to Southampton, impressions of Suez and the Port of Alexandria, a risky boat crossing of the Mediterranean, the superb Italian navy at Taranto, train travel along the Adriatic through snow and vineyards, the Alps to Lyon in intense cold, and through Normandy, Caen and Cherbourg. The letter from France dated 6 May is written from a dugout and describes its construction.
The diary extracts are short notes of locations, bombing and observations on his progress from Havre to Daours, France, with a detailed description of the events of 8 August 1918 on the successful Allied offensive at Daours.