Walter Draycott’s Great War Chronicle

North Vancouver Museum & Archives

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Monday 10 August 1914 – very hot

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Start work on Keith Rd. School

Imperial Reserves in Canada are called to England. Canada is preparing to send 21,000 troops (volunteers) to Europe. Lord Kitchener wants 100,000 more men for the war.

To supper at Hugh Neill’s

*Horatio Herbert Kitchener – A famed British Army officer who fought in the Boer War as well as WWI. He was Secretary of State for War at the start of WWI, organizing the British volunteer army sent to fight Germany. He was killed in 1916 while on a warship, HMS Hampshire, that hit a German mine.

Thursday 6 August 1914 – rain

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Raining heavily
Write letters to Mr. George Draycott of Leicester & Harry my Brother.

50,000 British troops land on Belgian and French soil to fight the Germans who are attacking Liege (Belgium)

Battle of Liege

Battle of Liege

* Battle of Liège – The first battle of WWI and the start of the German invasion into Belgium; the battle lasted until the 16th of August.

Wednesday 5 August 1914 – very hot

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British ships sink two German [ships] and capture a Cruiser.
German Cruiser bombards Glace Bay, Nova Scotia
I go to Vancouver and make purchases of 3 sacks flour, 1 sack sugar, 1 lb lard and other sundries to last the winter.
To Neats at 9:15 pm have a chat. Read war news and leave at 10:45 pm.
Sent letter to Mrs Graham

Sunday 2 August 1914 – fine & warm

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To St Clement’s in morning and evening 1st alone 2nd with John Neat.

To Neat’s for Dinner and supper. Presented to them – a new Union Jack for use on their flagpole. Introduced to Mr & Mrs Shellshear at Neats. In evening after Church – to town.  Met Mr Gus Berk – gave him letters to post for me. At 8:45 pm to Haswell’s with John Neat. Left fo’ home at 10:30 pm

Saturday 1 August 1914 – fine & hot

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To Whitecliff and Horseshoe Bay with Mr & Mrs John Dorothea & Frank Neat.
In swimming. John not able to swim dived into deep water and was sinking into for 2nd time when I saved him. My 4th act of life saving.
To Empire Theatre North Vancouver with the Neat family.

War declared Germany & Russia

Charles to Vancouver 8 pm till 10 pm

Funders
cityNorthVan2 districtNV YoungCanadaWorks

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