World War One soldier's diary belonging to Sidney James Anton

Comprises leather wallet and soldier's diary taken by Sidney James Anton to World War One. War diary begins on 10 July 1918 with embarkation at Wellington as a gunner in the 40th Reinforcements of the New Zealand Field Artillery, New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Entries contain account of voyage, travelling in convoy, stopping at Princess Royal Harbour, Australia, and South Africa. Notes weather conditions, seasickness and daily routine on board the HMNZT "Tahiti" vessel. Mentions passing through minefield at entrance at Sierra Leone on 22 August 1918 and the HMS "Paparoa" in Freetown port with 500 wounded. Talks about coal refuelling operations, no leave being granted due to malarial fever onshore, and trading of bananas and coconuts from canoes. Entries from 26 August 1918 detail sickness on board the "Tahiti" (speculates it is influenza or black water malaria) causing 75 deaths. Refers to men jumping overboard. Docks at Plymouth, England, on 10 September 1918 and catches train to Amesbury, then travels by motor ambulance to Larkhill Camp under isolation. While there details inspection by Brigadier General Richardson who gives them seven days of special leave after recovery from "this complaint Spanish influenza". Details his leave sight-seeing in London from 2 to 13 Oct 1918 with friend Les Ormandy. Returns to camp, then leaves from Folkestone on 26 Oct 1918 on for Boulogne, France. On arrival Anton stops at One Blanket Camp and St Martins camp, arriving at Etaples Base Camp on 27 Oct 1918. From late October to November 1918, his entries note his movements to join his battery, stopping at Achiet-le-grand rest camp, Caudray, Beaudignies. Entries for 4 to 10 November 1918 note an advance at 8am, being under shell fire, sleeping in barn near a chateau, having to shoot donkeys and go back for harness and wagon, seeing dead horses and Huns on the road, seeing Hautmont "badly knocked around". Notes arrival at Le Quesnoy on 11 November 1918 and hearing hostilities had ceased. Following entries mention cleaning harnesses, playing football, church parade, going to the pictures. From 28 Nov, he leaves Le Quesnoy for Germany via Escarmain, Hon-Hergies, Ferriere La Grande, Lobbes, Verviers and other Belgian towns. Mentions leave in Brussels and Liege. Arrives in Roetgen, Germany on 20 Dec 1918. Details Christmas meal in Kerpen. Last entry is in Cologne on 30 Dec 1918 as part of the army of occupation.

Quantity: 1 volume(s) (200 leaves).

Physical Description: Holograph (12.5 cm; suede bound)

Processing information: Part of WW100 digitisation project.

Digitisation details - 212 digitised images