Diary of John Henry Llewellyn Turnbull, 1916-1917

Description

Diary relating to the First World War service of 1295 Driver John Henry Llewellyn Turnbull, 5th Divisional Ammunition Column. This is the third of six detailed diaries transcribed by Turnbull after the war and documents his experiences in 1916 and 1917, originally written between 29 June 1916 and 18 May 1917.

This diary starts by Turnbull documenting his arrival in France. It also inludes, his role as a driver transporting ammunition to the artillery batteries near the front lines, anecdotes of his time on the Western Front including methods used by British Artillery, as well as his work with Artillery Mules, the difference in condition between Gallipoli and the Western Front, and his interactions with the local french population and the members of the British Army

He also describes in great detail the battle of Fromelles in July 1916, the fighting in November 1916, the movement of his unit and the fighting in the early months of 1917 including the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the fighting around Bullecourt.

At the end of the diary is a theatre ticket from his time on leave in London and a photograph of Turnbull taken whilst on leave in Edinburgh.

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