First World War diary

This material is held atNational Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru

  • Reference
    • GB 210 NLW MS 24093A.
  • Alternative Id.
      (alternative) 99757016602419
  • Dates of Creation
    • 1916
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English English.
  • Physical Description
    • ii, 97 ff. (original pagination [1]-63 continued to end) ; 100 x 70 mm.
      Cloth covers with back-loop pencil; 'The BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY'S DIARY' (gold on front cover).
  • Location
    • ARCH/MSS (GB0210)

Scope and Content

British Red Cross Society's Note Book and Diary for 1916, of Corporal Howard Ll[oyd] Roberts of Borth, Cardiganshire, serving on the Western Front in France and Belgium with the 129th Field Ambulance of the RAMC, attached to 15th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 38th (Welsh) Division, containing diary entries for 16 January and 2 February-31 December 1916 (pp. 74, 78-174). The frequent references to water tanks and carts indicate Cpl Roberts was part of the 129th Ambulance's Sanitary Section.
The Division began the year in the Neuve-Chapelle sector, between Merville and Bethune (pp. 78-116), then in June was ordered to the Somme, taking part in the Battle of Mametz Wood during the 1st Battle of the Somme in July (pp. 121-124). On 31 July (p. 130) Roberts's battalion arrived at Poperinghe, Belgium, and spent the rest of the year in the vicinity of Ypres (pp. 130-174). Roberts was on leave in Birmingham and Borth, 3-10 April (pp. 96-98), and was hospitalised at St Omer with German measles, 4-15 May (pp. 104-108). As an artist Roberts contributed sketches to the New Year Souvenir of the Welsh Division for 1917 (see pp. 160-165). A sketch map of the British lines at Windy Corner, [Neuve-Chapelle sector], is on p. 65; a very small pencil sketch is on p. 124.

Access Information

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions set out in information provided when applying for their Readers' Tickets, whereby the reader shall become responsible for compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 in relation to any processing by them of personal data obtained from modern records held at the Library.

Disgwylir i ddarllenwyr sydd am ddefnyddio papurau modern yn Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru gydymffurfio â Deddf Warchod Data 2018 a Rheoliadau Diogelu Data Cyffredinol 2018 yng nghyd-destun unrhyw brosesu ganddynt o ddata personol a gasglwyd o gofnodion modern sydd ar gadw yn y Llyfrgell. Nodir y manylion yn yr wybodaeth a roddir wrth wneud cais am Docyn Darllen.

Acquisition Information

John Underwood Antiquarian Books; Carleton Rode; Purchase; July 2017; 99757016602419.

Note

Title based on contents.

Physical Characteristics and/or Technical Requirements

Covers worn.

Archivist's Note

November 2018.

Description compiled by Rhys Jones.

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright laws apply.

Related Material

A number of artworks by Howard Lloyd Roberts are in NLW. For digital images of his personal papers see the People's Collection Wales website (https://www.peoplescollection.wales) (viewed November 2018). For the War Diary, 1915-1918, of the 15th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers see NLW MS 10436E.

Additional Information

Published