World War One diaries and battle scene note

Comprises electronic transcriptions by Dion G Minhinnick of the diaries of Corporal Joseph Herbert Hasard Henson (7th Platoon, B Company, Wellington Infantry Battalion Wellington West Coast Regiment, 2nd Reinforcements, First NZEF, 10/3292). Commences with an account of voyage on board the SS 'Willochra' (HMNZT 14) from Wellington to Suez Port, Egypt, 13 November to 19 Dec 1915 via Hobart, Tasmania. Diary entries recommence on 12 May 1916 in Doulieu, France. Gives account of war action in trenches near Armentieres, Tissage, marching and train to Airaines, advance to the Somme, billets at Sailly. Diary entries recommence 20 Jan 1917 in Edinburgh with description of leave activities. Henson returns to France and to Belgium on 24 Jan 1917, based near Fleurbaix, Boeschefe, Grand Crist, Ouderom, Jan 1918, moving to Halifax Camp, Staples, Authie, villages around the River Somme, Rossingnol Wood and Beauvois-en-Cambrensis. Refers to food, exploring local towns, casualties, weather conditions, taking photographs and writing in his diary. Gives account of events after the armistice, a protest by soldiers against the troops marching to Germany, reaction of local Belgians and French, Christmas 1918, and being in the army of occupation near Cologne, based at Langenfeld. Ends with account of trip back to England, life in Sling Camp, and the return voyage in March and April 1919 via Chesapeake Bay, United States.

Includes transcription of note describing artillery action during an attack at Le Sars in the second Battle of the Somme.

Quantity: 12 Electronic document(s).

Processing information: Digitisation details - Part of WW100 digitisation project.