Taylor, Harold Burfield (Captain, MC and Bar, VD: 19th Bn, AIF)

Black and white photocopies of two handwritten war diaries by Captain Harold Burfield Taylor MC and Bar, 19 Battalion. (1) Diary, January 1916-1917. Containing entries from training at Tel-el-Kebir; arrival in France; Hazebrouck area and comment on quality of German forces; Trianing School; Raids; Sausage Valley; trench life; comment on poor quality of senior AIF officers; Bn. officers neglecting duties; despair at thought of returning to the trenches; comments on Australia's contribution to the war; Poperinghe; effects of illness and Trench Feet on troops; feeling of dissatisfaction with the war; Delville Wood; attack on Grevillers; defense of Noreuil; debacle at Riencourt; leave in the UK and lists of casualties. (2) Diary, May 1917-June 1918. Containing entries related to withdrawal from the Front Line into rest areas at Contey; including extensive practice attacks, inter-unit competition and Courts of Inquiry; Leave in Paris and low opinion of Parisian life style; Attack on Broodseinde; award of the MC, and later Bar; leave in the UK; interest in Munitions Work; action near Messines, including gas attacks; friendly relations with French civilians; Morlancourt; posting to a Training Bn at Fovant; and low opinion of new "volunteers".