MANUSCRIPT
McGregor, William, 1887-1965 : Military papers
- Date
- 1914-1918
- By
- McGregor, William, 1887-1964
- Reference
- MSX-8893
- Description
Collection comprises four small volumes housed within one enclosure box.
First diary details McGregor's travel plans for leaving Oamaru on 12 Dec 1914 through to arriving at Limnos on 14 Apr 1915. Diary entries begin 10 Apr 1915 as McGregor left camp in Cairo training to Alexandria before heading to Gallipoli. Very detailed account of landing in Gallipoli and subsequent warfare in the trenches. Comments on the Maori soldiers conducting a haka and singing hymns in Maori at night. McGregor creates a template for his will on a page of the diary but the personal details are left blank. Sustaining a back injury he leaves Gallipoli on the hospital boat heading for Cairo. End pages include the addresses of fellow soldiers and a pencil sketch of a pyramid in Ciaro.
The second diary kept in a French language volume is a fair copy of the first diary kept in Gallipoli. Some details in this later diary are slighty more detailed than the original. Back pages include pencil sketches of landscapes and some caricatures.
The third diary for 1916 recounts training for action in France. Then details the engagement along the Western Front, heavy fighting and casualities. Also comments on billets and leave to London. Diary finishes 10 Dec 1916. End pages include an address list and a schedule for personal letters for 1917 and 1918. Also a newspaper cutting on the death of Brigadier General F E Johnston of the New Zealand Forces.
The fourth volume is McGregor's soldier's pay book. Covers the period Oct 1916 to Feb 1918.
Source of title - Supplied by Library
Enclosures - Enclosed within the pocket of McGregor's soldier's pay book is a sprig of flora with the inscription "kia ora 11-8-18".
Corporal McGregor served with the 10th North Otago Regiment. He was involved in campaigns in Gallipoli, France and along the Western Front.
Quantity: 1 box(es) (4 volumes). 0.01 Linear Metres.
Physical Description: Holograph and printed material
Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project
- Access restrictions
- Partly restricted - Please use surrogate in place of original
- Format
- 1 box(es) (4 volumes), 0.01 Linear Metres, Military records, Diaries, Manuscripts, Holograph and printed material
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McGregor, William, 1887-1964. McGregor, William, 1887-1965 : Military papers. Ref: MSX-8893. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/30117817More information can be found in our terms of use.