Walter Draycott’s Great War Chronicle

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You are here: Home / Archives for France

Wednesday 26 July 1916 – fair

July 26, 2016 by Sarah McLennan

To Cassel on a bike. Passed Mount des Recolets. Beautiful scenery. Had tea @ café. Visited Porte de Dunkerque and Casino on top of the hill. Lovely view from here of the surrounding country. Casino used as a wireless station. A monument is erected in memory of the battles which were fought in the vicinity for the liberation of France, etc. Philip bro’ to king of France & away back to 1400. Visit the Church. Very old. Bells outside the tower. Return to Steenvoorde 6 PM.

Filed Under: 1916, Diary Entries Tagged With: France

Monday 23 August 1915

August 23, 2015 by Sarah McLennan

On the way to France

Filed Under: 1915, Diary Entries Tagged With: France

Friday 20 August 1915

August 20, 2015 by Sarah McLennan

Left again for France

Departure put off

Filed Under: 1915, Diary Entries Tagged With: France

Tuesday 6 July 1915 – showers and windy

July 6, 2015 by Sarah McLennan

The Draft of “Princess Pats” leave for France at 7:30 am. 35 men.
We have a large Muster Parade.

Filed Under: 1915, Diary Entries Tagged With: France, Muster Parade, Princess Patricia

Thursday 1 July 1915 – dull

July 1, 2015 by Sarah McLennan

On the Roll for the draft for France.
Medically inspected again and found fit.
Men badly needed, some of the men in the draft are not fit to go back again. Slept out in the airy stables.

Filed Under: 1915, Diary Entries Tagged With: draft, France

Sunday 15 November 1914 – snow & later rain

November 15, 2014 by Sarah McLennan

Boarded train at 2:15 am. Train crowded with people for Old Country. Wrote letters & postcards to Bessie, the Neats, Wagstaffes & Haswell’s & Esdailes & Barker Boys.
Had a noisey lot on train – naturally.
Standing room only for some from Ft. Wm. to Sudbury.
The rumour is Lord Roberts died in France.


*Field Marshal Lord Frederick Sleigh Roberts – A British Military officer, Lord Roberts fought in the Indian Mutiny, the second Afghan war, the Boer War and was the last Commander-in-Chief of the Forces before the position was abolished in 1904. Lord Roberts was known as one of the most successful commanders of the 19th century. He died of pneumonia in France on November 14th 1914 while visiting Indian troops.

Filed Under: 1914, Diary Entries Tagged With: France, Ft. Wm., Lord Roberts, Old Country, postcards, Sudbury, train

Tuesday 15 September 1914 – cloudy

September 15, 2014 by Sarah McLennan

https://monova.ca/greatwarchronicles/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Tuesday_September_15_1914.mp3
Germans are committing terribly atrocities in Belgium & France.
To work at Keith Road School all day

Hugh Neill calls at night & plays cards with Charles & myself.


*The Rape of Belgium – During the occupation of Belgium German troops were accused of killing civilians en masse on multiple occasions as well as destroying large amounts of civilian property. The events were quickly used as anti-German propaganda in England and North America and referred to as the Rape of Belgium.

Filed Under: 1914, Diary Entries Tagged With: Belgium, France, Hugh Neill, Keith Road School, mp3

Monday 24 August – fine & warm

August 24, 2014 by Sarah McLennan

https://monova.ca/greatwarchronicles/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Monday_August_24_1914.mp3
Working on Keith Road School. Receive my Family Herald & Weekly Star from Montreal (1st copy).
Japan declares war against Germany.
The 1st engagement of English troops with the Germans is at Namur Belgium. I go to Neats in evening chatting with Lilian & Mr. Neat. Stayed until 11 pm.


*Namur, Belgium – A major target for the Germans during WWI as it was on their planned route into France. On August 21st 1914 the Germans bombarded the town without notice and it was occupied by German troops until the end of WWI.

 

Filed Under: 1914, Diary Entries Tagged With: France, Germany, Japan, mp3, WWI

Tuesday 4 August 1914 – very hot

August 4, 2014 by Sarah McLennan

https://monova.ca/greatwarchronicles/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Tuesday_August_4_1914.mp3
Great Britain declares war against Germany 11 o’clock pm Aug: 4th
All Europe is now in arms
England, France, Russia, against Germany, Austria-Hungary

Charles pays $10 to Mills for furniture etc.

Filed Under: 1914, Diary Entries Tagged With: Austria-Hungary, England, Europe, France, Germany, Great Britain, mp3, Russia, war

Friday 31 July 1914 – very hot

July 31, 2014 by Sarah McLennan

https://monova.ca/greatwarchronicles/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Friday_July_31_1914.mp3
Worked all day on Keith Road School and laid off work in evening for good.
Charles is still out of work.
Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia are mobilising for war.

Filed Under: 1914, Diary Entries Tagged With: France, Germany, Great Britain, Keith Road School, mp3, Russia

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