Tommy's War: A First World War Diary 1913-1918

by Thomas Cairns Livingstone

  In the early months of the war, only one journalist was allowed to cover the Western Front, and he was a serving army officer. The official censor also received telegraphic reports from the British Army fighting units, and edited these before issuing them to the press. Under pressure from the media, especially in America, the War Office later allowed selected Fleet Street reporters to go to the front, but continued to censor their reports and those of their home-based colleagues to manipulate public perception of the war. This was for two reasons: to ensure that the enemy did not receive accurate feedback from any of their actions and to ensure that the British and Irish people were not exposed to so much horror that they lessened their support for the war.

  The censor could not stop criticism, however. The Daily Mail consistently lambasted the government for its handling of the war, and on 21 May 1915 published what would prove to be the most important editorial of the whole conflict:

  Lord Kitchener has starved the army in France of high-explosive shells. The admitted fact is that Lord Kitchener ordered the wrong kind of shell – the same kind of shell he used largely against the Boers in 1900. He persisted in sending shrapnel – a useless weapon in trench warfare. He was warned repeatedly that the kind of shell required was a violently explosive bomb that would dynamite its way through the German trenches and entanglements and enable our brave men to advance in safety. The kind of shell our poor soldiers have had has caused the deaths of thousands of them.

  Within a week, the Ministry of Munitions was created under the control of Lloyd George. After the war was over, General Douglas Haig (above) suggested that there may have been too much of an emphasis in the press on shells: ‘During the battles of 1917, ammunition was plentiful, but the gun situation was a source of constant anxiety.’

  In Glasgow, the Herald recorded the beginning of the First World War with five decks of headline at the top of page seven (the front page was reserved for advertising) of its Wednesday 5 August issue:

  Britain’s decisive hour.

  War with Germany proclaimed.

  All military forces called out.

  Government take over railways.

  The nation’s patriotism.

  Beneath this were six crisp paragraphs summing up several feet of grey column inches that followed. They read:

  Great Britain declared war on Germany at eleven o’clock last night. An ultimatum was yesterday sent to Germany demanding a reply within 12 hours. The ultimatum expired at midnight, before which hour an unsatisfactory reply was received. The whole of the military forces in the country, including the Territorials, have been called out, and the Government have taken over the railways. We are authorised by the Foreign Office to publish the following official statement:

  Owing to the summary rejection by the German Government of the request made by His Majesty’s Government for assurances that the neutrality of Belgium will be respected, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Berlin has received his passport, and His Majesty’s Government declared to the German Government that a state of war exists between Great Britain and Germany as from 11 p.m. on August 4.

  Elsewhere in the newspaper, under the headline ‘Glasgow receives the news quietly’, the Herald reported: ‘Despite the gravity of the situation involved in the declaration of war between Germany and Great Britain, the reception of the news in Glasgow was of a milder nature than one would have been led to expect. Owing to the lateness of the hour and the fact that rain was falling heavily there were not a great many people in the streets. Those, however, who had evidently remained late in anticipation of an issue received the intimation quietly, and there was no demonstration of any kind.’

  * * *

  Sunday, 23 July

  Very warm day indeed. To cool myself, I took a cold bath. I did indeed. Tried my hand today with fried sliced ‘sossijes’ and potatoes. The fried article was a trifle hard but managed to get my teeth through. Terrific thunder and lightning late in the afternoon. Best I’ve seen for six years. Had to mooch milk for my tea from Mrs Carmichael.42 Went to Queen’s Park at night.

  Tuesday, 25 July

  Good weather continues. Got a letter today from Agnes. She is coming home on Saturday. My word. So I wrote her a love letter in return. Worked late tonight and then took car to Dumbreck and went what we used to call the complete walk. Got home at 11 p.m. British still advancing. Last night’s list: dead 686, wounded etc. 3,565.

  Friday, 28 July

  Cleaned all the windows at night, polished the grate and washed round the room, lobby, scullery etc. At 1 a.m. I took supper. 104th week of the war, 158th day of Verdun battle, 29th day of Battle of the Somme.

  Saturday, 29 July

  Rose at 5.30 a.m. and washed the floor, scrubbed the table and did the name plate, bell etc. Got my holidays today. Gave the house its final polish. Went to St Enoch Station and met my dearly beloveds at 6.30 p.m., both looking fit and well. Zeppelin raid in east coast of England. No damage.

  Sunday, 30 July

  None of us out today. Too busy looking at each other. Being troubled much since yesterday afternoon with a certain looseness of the bowels, I went to the chemist in the morning who gave me a bottle which ‘strafed’ the complaint.

  Monday, 31 July

  My holidays start today. Went in the forenoon to the Art Galleries and got my mind and soul elevated. After dinner we all went to Pollok Estate. After tea we visited Greenlodge Terrace. Josephine has started work as a grocer in Cochranes’ shop at Bridgeton Cross. Weekend casualty list: dead 903, wounded etc. 4,106.

  Wednesday, 2 August

  In the forenoon I went down to Bellahouston Hospital and after some coaxing managed to get in and saw James, who was wounded in the hand in the ‘Big Push’.43

  Thursday, 3 August

  Went into town before dinner and paid the factor and the fire insurance. After dinner Agnes went and saw the doctor and then we all went to town and visited the St Enoch Picture House and saw Charlie.44 I spent the rest of the night getting ready – I’m going to Belfast for a week. Another Zepp raid on England.

  Friday, 4 August

  After a fond farewell to my wife and child last night, I left at 10.15 and got train from Central at 11 p.m. Boat left Ardrossan at 12.45 p.m. Arrived Belfast after a very reasonable sail about 7 a.m. Went to Northern County Station with my bag and got a wash up. Then hunted up my breakfast. Had a look round for ‘digs’. Went to see my aunt, and decided to stay there. After dinner I visited Smithfield, and the museum.45 After tea my uncle and I had a walk round by the dam and then went down to station and lifted my bag. This is anniversary of the war.

  Saturday, 5 August

  In forenoon I started to explore Belfast. Had a look at County Down Station and as far as Holywood Arches, and came home. After dinner went down to Falls Park and then took car to Bloomfield.46 After tea I had a seat in Woodvale Park and went down town. Got home 10.15 p.m. Weather perfect.

  Sunday, 6 August

  In the forenoon I took my aunt a run in the car and had a seat in the Alexandra Park. After dinner I went to Ormeau Park and admired all the little Colleens. After tea I walked out past Ligoniel and back by Horseshoe Rail, got car home from Cliftonville.47 Home 10.30 p.m. Weekend list – dead 1,751, wounded etc. 4,377.

  Opposite page Newtownards lies 10 miles east of Belfast, at the northern end of Strangford Lough, and Mount Stewart is an eighteeenth-century house and garden, the home of the Londonderry family. The Somme Heritage Centre, which opened in 1994, stands a little to the north of Newtownards.

  Wednesday, 9 August

  Wee Tommy’s birthday. More lovely weather. Sawed and chopped wood for a while. Had a crack and small walk with Minnie and then looked up the kennels. Dined with Jim and then had a walk round. Mabel then went part of the way with me to the kennels and I had tea there. Uncle Robert then saw me on to the 5.30 motor. We all parted with deep regret. Caught 6.27 train from Newtownards to Belfast. Big Zepp raid on east coast and part of Scotland, eight killed. />
  Thursday, 10 August

  Very hot day. Took car to Ligoniel and then walked out country, back to town by Cliftonville. Called in at Northern County Station and got my ticket, then did some shopping for a little present for Agnes and Tommy. After dinner went to the dam and read my paper. Said farewell to my aunt and got 6.30 train to Larne and sailed to Stranraer by SS Princess Maud. Had a very nice sail and exactly six hours after leaving Belfast I arrived in St Enoch’s Station. Walked home and arrived there at 1.30 a.m., where my own wee wife was waiting on me, and had a nice tea ready for me. Amen.

  Friday, 11 August

  We all slept in today. Naturally spent the day in looking at my well-beloved and my son and heir.

  Saturday, 12 August

  This is the last day of my holidays, so after breakfast we all took car to Paisley.48 We did the sights and visited the museum, and then had our tea in a tea room. We then went to a picture house, and got home about 6.30 p.m.

  Tuesday, 15 August

  Nice sort of day. Working late. Agnes and Tommy came into the place and got me home. The policeman in the key office gave Tommy a penny.49 British destroyer Lasso mined or torpedoed off Dutch coast.

  Friday, 18 August

  German official list of casualties admits 3,000,087 losses. Austrian losses during June and July 830,000. Tonight’s casualty list – killed 666, wounded etc. 4,166.

  Saturday 19 August

  We took car to Netherlee in the afternoon. Had a seat in Cathcart Cemetery and admired the view, and then took car home. To get the graveyard taste out of my mouth we went to the Majestic at night.

  Tuesday, 22 August

  We went to the cathedral at night and listened to an organ recital.50 The organist is a better player than me. Big explosion in Yorkshire munition factory, 40 killed and 60 injured.

  Wednesday, 23 August

  Poor Wee Tommy not well today. 35 Zeppelins destroyed since war began.

  Thursday, 24 August

  Tommy not much better, in bed all day. What’s it going to be? Agnes got him a motor to keep him cheery.

  Friday, 25 August

  Rained morning, noon and night. Tommy all right again. Big Zeppelin raid over England including London: eight killed.

  Saturday, 26 August

  Rained nearly all day. At night we all went to the Majestic. We are getting quite frivolous or reckless.

  Tuesday, 29 August

  Since 1 July, Britain has taken 15,469 German prisoners and 246 guns.

  Wednesday, 30 August

  Agnes and Tommy met me in town at 6 p.m. and we went to the picture house and saw The Battle of the Somme.51

  Friday, 1 September

  James up tonight, the soldier I was down seeing in Bellahouston Hospital on 2 August.

  Saturday, 2 September

  After tea we all went to the Majestic.

  Sunday, 3 September

  Great Zeppelin raid on east coast and London: two killed. One of the Zeppelins with its entire crew destroyed near London by one of our aviators.

  Monday, 4 September

  Tommy’s days of freedom are over. He started today to go to school, one called Victoria School in Batson Street. A momentous event. Poor Tommy. Capital of German East Africa surrenders to British. Great advance by British and French at the Somme battle.

  Tuesday, 5 September

  The airman who destroyed Zeppelin gets a VC.

  Friday, 8 September

  110th week of the war. 200th day of the Verdun battle. 70th day of the Battle of the Somme.

  Monday, 11 September

  Got doctor’s bill today. Puzzle: when will it be paid?

  Wednesday, 13 September

  After this my dinner hour is from 12.30 p.m. to suit domestic arrangements.52 Mrs Carmichael and Mrs Mackenzie in tonight trying our sewing machine. Great French advance: 1,500 prisoners.

  Friday, 15 September

  Tommy got a flower from his teacher for being a good boy. Agnes not well at all. She went to the doctor and got a bottle. I’m keeping well so I cleaned the kitchen window. Great British advances in France on six miles of front. Trenches at Thiepval captured.

  Saturday, 16 September

  British advance continues. Thousands of German prisoners. British using monster armoured motors for charging the trenches.

  Sunday, 17 September

  Entertained the household with music at intervals.

  Monday, 18 September

  Agnes bought a griddle, or as the Scotch call it, a ‘girdle’, so I have no doubt we’ll be able to bake scones etc.53 British doing brilliant. Our motor monsters knock h… out of the huns.

  Tuesday, 19 September

  One of Agnes’ cousins, Mollison, Broughty Ferry, killed at the front.

  Friday, 22 September

  Agnes cleaned the spoons so that folk could mistake them for silver.

  Sunday, 24 September

  After breakfast I donned my best and strolled down to Govan and looked at the boats. In spite of the U-boat menace, I crossed over the Clyde to Partick by the ferry.54 Great Zeppelin raid over England: 38 killed and 99 injured. Zeppelin brought down in flames and another captured with its crew.

  Monday, 25 September

  Lovely day. This is the autumn holiday, so Tommy and I had a holiday. Tommy very sick all day, vomited and had a sore head. Went into town after dinner and telegraphed to Coatbridge that we could not come out. Wandered into a picture house in New City Road. Came home for tea and went out for doctor. Tommy’s temperature 102°. Doctor thinks it is his stomach. I don’t know what to think. A melancholy holiday.

  Tuesday, 26 September

  Doctor up today. Tommy a little better and his temperature down a bit. Another big Zepp raid over England: 36 deaths. Query: when are they coming here? Great Franco-British victory. Thiepval taken by the British and Combles by the French and British. Hoch!

  Opposite page John ‘Jack’ Travers Cornwell, who was born in London in January 1900 and was therefore sixteen at the time, was celebrated for his gallantry at the Battle of Jutland. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, one of the youngest recipients ever. The Boy Cornwell Memorial Fund was established in his memory to provide a wing at a naval hospital. The twenty-first of September 1916 was designated Jack Cornwell Day and every school pupil in the British Empire was asked to give a penny to the fund.

  Wednesday, 27 September

  Doctor up again. Tommy a great deal better and his temperature normal. Went myself at night to Greenlodge. Home 11 p.m. To protect my valuable life these dark nights I took my stick la plus grande.55

  Thursday, 28 September

  Tommy up in the evening. He is getting a little food now.56 School Board officer up for Tommy today. British take more ground. Great damage done to Krupps by the French air raid. Hoch, hoch.

  Friday, 29 September

  Tommy not so bad now. Doctor up today and I don’t think he is coming back. Amen!

  Saturday, 30 September

  A threatened scarcity of water, so we filled the house with it. 3,000 dead Germans in Combles. Hoch.

  Sunday, 1 October

  The old time starts today again, so I put back the clocks one hour last night. Tommy sang a little hymn tonight and I accompanied him on the piano. This will be his first to music, I think.

  Monday, 2 October

  I mended Alec Carmichael’s ‘scooter’ tonight. British defeat Bulgarians. Roumania gets walloped. Germany going to renew her submarine campaign against Britain.

  Tuesday, 3 October

  Very wet day. Spent a quiet evening at home. Put some studs in Tommy’s boots and shoes.57 Put a bit of wood in the bunker to keep the mice in their place.58

  Thursday, 5 October

  Nellie here in the afternoon. Jenny Roxburgh here at night. I saw her away at Queen St Station by 10 p.m. train. Bulgars in retreat before the British

  Friday, 6 October

  Put a few studs in my boots tonight. British advance furth
er towards Bapaume and we use poison gas at Armentières and Loos. Big Cunard liner Franconia torpedoed in Mediterranean Sea: 12 lives lost.

  Saturday, 7 October

  Agnes, Tommy and I at Coatbridge by 2.40 train from Buchanan Street. I took a walk down myself to the hotel and had a glass of milk with Mr Crozier.59