Fricourt

Date: 1916-1917

From: Martin, W W :World War One albums of Mr Laurie C Mackie

Reference: PA1-o-310

Description: Photographs taken by Laurie Mackie of life at the Egyptian Military training camp at Zeitoun where in 1915 the New Zealand troops were trained before taking ship to Gallipoli. There are views of Cairo and Alexandria where troops went for rest and recreation. Though there are a few views of Gallipoli, these albums have no record of action. It is a view of life outside the battle zones. After Gallipoli back to Zeitoun and more training in preparation for the western front. Pictures of war torn Europe and finally an album depicting the glories of Paris. Throughout the albums Laurie Mackie and his comrades in arms feature. There is good identifying information throughout the albums. 1/2-090821 to 090900 Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).

Date: 25 Aug 1916 - 4 Nov 1916

From: Gray, Randolph Norman, 1891-1936: Papers relating to World War One

Reference: MSX-9371

Description: Letter book by Gray for the period when he is stationed in France, in the vicinity of Armentieres near the Belgian border, the move south with the New Zealand division to the Somme in September, and the period of intense action on the front at Flers, followed by a shift north to Estaires. Provides detailed first-hand account of experiences leading up to, and during, the battle of the Somme, including dealing with casualties of the front, transport, evacuation, medical and hygiene procedures. Includes details of military positions and arrangements, including the camp between Dernancourt and Fricourt. Also makes reference to Frederick Edwin Smith, 1st Earl of Birkenhead (1872-1930), near the village of Montauban. Describes the relative sophistication of a German trench, 'in construction it is colossal. We went down into a shaft dugout - fifty feet underground. You have read of these I expect - fitted with electric light, furnished, complete with everything.' The letter book ends on a positive note when Gray writes, 'We have had really what might be called a holiday, and it has been very welcome after our somewhat arduous labours' (page 96), and reports that he has been awarded the Military Medal for his earlier contribution in the Somme. Publication - Selected letters and diary entry accounts from this collection have been published. See "'The Great Adventure': The letters of Randolph Norman Gray, 3/893", in: Jock Phillips, Nicholas Boyack and E. P. Malone (eds), The great adventure: New Zealand soldiers describe the First World War (Wellington: Allen & Unwin, 1988) pp 69-110. Relationship complexity - Photocopied typescript transcriptions of most of the manuscript texts found in the letter books are held in MS-Papers-4134 Quantity: 1 volume(s). Physical Description: Mss, letter book, standard issue Field Message Book (Army Book 153), 98 numbered pages, paper covers, 12 x 17 cm

Date: 11 Jun-26 Sep 1916, 27 Sep 1916-25 Apr 1917

From: Ramsden, George Eric Oakes, 1898-1962 : Papers

Reference: MS-Papers-0196-341A

Description: Diary (Vol 3) Jun-Sep 1916; Diary (Vol 4) and military notes, Sep 1916-Apr 1917 (no entries between 13 Feb-22 Apr 1917). Entries 15 Sep- Oct 1916 written at Carlton Trench. Served with NZEF Pioneer Battalion in France Quantity: 1 folder(s) (2 volumes). Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project

Date: Jul-Sep 1916

From: Brebner, Robert, 1883-1958 : World War One letters

Reference: MS-Papers-8866-3

Description: Brebner describes war horses and trench battles. Wounded at the front line in August 1916 at Fricourt on the Somme. Then shipped to Number One New Zealand General Hospital at Brockenhurst and subsequently to the New Zealand Military Hospital at Codford. At the end of December he was at the New Zealand Command Depot at Codford. Quantity: 1 folder(s). Physical Description: Mss and typescripts Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project. Digitisation details - 43 digitised images