War diaries

[Ali Hollington]

Hi,

I'm sure this is a daft question but, many members mention having copies of various war diaries, is this a case of going to the PRO and copying from the originals or are there other sources?

I'm interested in the 1st + 2nd Essex Regiment, but have a general interest.

Regards

Ali.

[Guest Hill 60]

Ali - I have been in contact with the Archive section of the Bedfordshire County Council regarding the war diary of the 2nd Bn Bedfordshire Regt and they have a copy; so it is worth contacting the local council to see if they have a copy they'd be willing to photocopy for you.

[Chris_Baker]

Regimental museums often have copies, sometimes typed-up versions.

[John_Hartley]

And, of course, a small number of British ones are available on-line.

John

[Ali Hollington]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give them a try. Been trying to get through to the Essex Regiment museum, but it has been engaged most of the day, never realised it was so popular!

Thanks again

Ali

[Michael]

Ali

Ian Hook is the man at the Essex Museum, a very helpful chap. I'm sure he'd appreciate a donation if he found your war diary

Mick

[Guest grandchild]

British Diaries

Hi,

I am new to these forums but I do know that in the canadian archives there are the following Diaries. The link above lists the Key words to use while searching.

Claudia Park,

New Brunswick, Canada

BRITISH WAR DIARIES:

Lahore Divisional Artillery

Lahore Divisional Ammunition

West Lancs Divisional Artillery

West Lancs Brigade

Royal Artillery

Reserve Divisional Ammunition Column

Reserve Divisional Trench Mortar Group

Trench Howitzer Battery

Royal Engineers

Royal Army Service CorpsRoyal Army Medical Corps

1st Army

2nd Army

4th Army

Reserve and Fifth Army

Cavalry Corps

1st Corps

2nd Corps

3rd Corps

4th Corps

5th Corps

Lahore Division

3rd Division

4th Division

5th Division

11th Division

20th Division

24th Division

28th Division

27th Division

50th Division

55th Division

80th Infantry Brigade

9th Infantry Brigade

Royal Welsh Fusiliers

XVII Corps

XIV Corps

1st Cavalry Division

3rd Cavalry Division

Artillery Festubert

Infantry Givenchy

Second Army

St. Eloi (Note: search word: St Eloi no period after St)

Guards Division

Royal Flying Corps

Sketches and Locations

Index to Edmonds Files

Colonel Duguid

[Paul Nixon]

Ali

Essex Regt museum also has a database of soldiers (incomplete) serving with Essex Regiments as well as, from memory, a pretty much complete set of the Burrows' histories of Essex Regt battalions and other useful and relevant publications such as some Divisional histories - the 12th Division history is there for instance. If you are an Essex boy you could also check out the County Archives in Chelmsford as well as some of the libraries - Colchester has a few useful WW1 titles.

Hope this helps

Paul (Essex boy now living in India - look out for the furry dice on the Ambassador car)

[Ali Hollington]

Hi Paul,

Yes I'm a second generation Essex Boy, and proud I think!

Thanks for the advice on Burrows et al, I continue with my efforts this week.

Have you had any past success with the Essex libaries?

Also if you are finding it hard to get a name sticker for your windscreen in New Delhi or where ever, let me know and I can try and send one over. I'd hate to think of an Essex boy without one.

Ali

[Paul Nixon]

Hi Ali

Well in the days that I worked in Colchester, I was pleasantly surprised to find Chell's book on the 10th Essex in the reference section although I have to say that Ian Hook at the Regimental Museum came up with all the other information I was after so I didn't need to progress with the libraries. There is of course the inter-library loan service which could enable you to borrow difficult-to-find titles.

As for a windscreen sticker, I was joking about the Ambassador. Mad dogs and Englishmen may go out in the midday sun but this one certainly won't be getting behind the wheel of car. If you ever get to India you'll understand why I say that but thanks for the offer anyway.

But back to the thread - in the days when I used the facilities at the museum, the Essex Regt records were being largely maintained by a volunteer who was only there for a couple of days a week. I should also have mentioned that the museum has sound archives from veterans including two that I did for them - Harry Leeks of the 9th Essex and John Brett of 1st Essex (I think). As far as I know, the recordings have not been transcribed and they were made back in the eighties when David Jones was the curator there.

Good luck. It's a fascinating visit when you do get there.

Paul

[Ali Hollington]

I'm in CM wednesday morning so hopefully can drop into the museum. I may have met Ian as a while ago I inquired about books on the Essex regt and the staff of the shop summoned a gentleman who gave me an overview history. In fact it is due to this that my interest has developed, as the Essex regt have managed to feature at many of the British army great (and not so great) moments.

With regards to driving in India, having been I understand why you don't.

Regards

Ali.