| Place | Europe: Western Front |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | AWM2016.271.1 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 2 wallets: 5 cm |
| Object type | Diary, Souvenir |
| Maker |
Wilson, Arthur |
| Place made | Australia, Belgium, France, United Kingdom: England |
| Date made | 1917-1919 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Wilson, Arthur (Sapper, b.1896 - d.1985)
Description
Collection relating to the First World War service of 17319 Sapper Arthur Wilson, 1st Divisional Signal Company. Collection consists of four original hand-written diaries by Sapper Wilson covering the period May 1917 to August 1919. The diaries describe the voyage from Australia to England on HMAT Shropshire, life onboard and ports visited. This is followed by time in camp in England and places visited including Scotland. He embarked for France in September 1917 and describes active service on the Western Front in both France and Belgium, with detailed descriptions of his activities, observations of live action, his physical surroundings and the routine of life at the front. Later entries cover Armistice Day in France and the post Armistice period. Pasted into the diaries are assorted maps, poems and other inclusions, plus a loose Christmas menu for 1918. Wilson remained in France until April 1919, returning to Australia on 4 August 1919 via England.
Typed transcripts of the diaries are held as PR01549.