Troop ship mined off Cape of Good Hope. All on board saved. Big British victory in Palestine. About 1,000 prisoners taken, including some Austrians and Germans.
Saturday, 31 March
Fine sunny day. Wind coming from the North Pole. Sewing machine operations suspended as the needle broke last night.31 More villages captured by the British. Another German raider at large in Atlantic.
Sunday, 1 April
Father here for a little in the afternoon. Put a new needle in the machine today. Hetty Cook here at tea time. I deposited her on a car at 9.30 p.m. Agnes bathed her feet tonight.
Monday, 2 April
Most outrageously cold north-east wind blowing. Snow at night. British and French threaten St Quentin.
Tuesday, 3 April
Snow about a yard deep in the morning. Got a letter from Andrew today. President Wilson calls on the American senate to declare war on Germany.
Wednesday, 4 April
Tommy out today for the first time. Not much doing tonight. Needing a new pipe, so I boiled an old one. British and French still moving on. Great preparations for war in USA.
Thursday, 5 April
I oiled the [sewing] machine tonight, and broke the driving belt, so had to mend it. Germans cross the Stokhod (Volhynia) and Russians suffer heavy losses. Britain wants another half million soldiers for July. American senate votes for war with Germany.
Friday, 6 April
This is the day we eat hot cross buns, but owing to the war we did not. American House of Representatives vote solidly for war with Germany. So that does the trick. Brazilian steamer sunk by U-boat, with loss of life. Brazil wants war. Air raid over Kent by German Taube. No damage.
* * *
When the Germans extended their policy of ‘unrestricted’ submarine warfare to American ships, the United States was compelled to declare war, according to President Woodrow Wilson, in order that ‘the world must be made safe for democracy’. And free trade, he could have added. To Wilson, Germany’s policy was in violation of international law and his country’s ideas of human rights; to his predecessor, Theodore Roosevelt, Germany’s actions were simply ‘piracy’. Other factors that may have helped draw the US into the fray were the sabotage by German agents of an ammunition depot and a munitions factory in New Jersey.
* * *
Saturday, 7 April
Monday being a holiday, and not being busy, I got away at 12.30 p.m. United States declares war on Germany. All German shipping in America – about half a million tons – is seized, likewise all German wireless installations. Ne plus ultra.32 Russian and British troops join forces in Mesopotamia.
Sunday, 8 April
This being Easter Sunday, I ate a pair of eggs to breakfast. Could not get a newspaper today, so don’t know how the war is getting on.
Monday, 9 April
This is the spring holiday. Snow fell overnight. I got up at 6 a.m. and walked through Queen’s Park. Everything white with snow, and this is spring. We all went to the Savoy Picture House in the afternoon.33 Cuba declares war on Germany. German gunboat blown up by its crew, and Americans take crew of over 300 prisoners. Greatest air battle of the war fought on Western Front. 46 German machines down; British lose 28. New Big Push by British from Arras to Lens.
Tuesday, 10 April
Bitter cold day. Some heavy snow in the afternoon. After a most terrific cannonade, British launch their spring offensive on a 50-mile front. Battle of Arras has begun. Heavy German losses. We capture about 10,000 prisoners. The fighting is proceeding. Vimy Ridge captured by Canadians. British torpedo two German torpedo boats off Zeebrugge. One sunk, fate of other unknown. United States breaks off with Austria. All interned ships seized.
Wednesday, 11 April
The papers say this is the coldest April for 39 years, and I believe it. Agnes going to the wash-house tomorrow, so went down tonight and lit the fire. I am starting some alterations on the book case, and hope the military will let me finish it. Arras victory. Over 11,000 prisoners now. 100 guns, 60 trench mortars and 163 machine guns captured. The great Hindenburg line smashed. Brazil breaks relations with Germany.
Thursday, 12 April
Agnes got up at 4.30 a.m. I think she must have finished her sleep in the washhouse. She was finished by dinner time. Did some work at the book case tonight. The loaf is costing us sixpence now. Vile weather on Western Front.
Friday, 13 April
The food stocks in this country were never lower, so help me bob. British patrol boat lost in Channel by mine: 18 lives lost. British again advance. Brazil seizes all German shipping.
Saturday, 14 April
Most vile weather today. Very heavy snow, sleet and everything bad. Great explosion in USA munition work: 150 lives lost. Two British hospital ships sunk in Channel. One by mine, other by U-boat. British army fighting fiercely. 13,000 prisoners now captured and 200 guns. Internal conditions in Russia are very grave.
Monday, 16 April
Agnes not keeping well, so went round and saw the doctor at night, and was told to take to her bed at once. Seems to be a form of her old trouble, and threatened with complications. British army still smashing the German line. Our patrols penetrate into Lens. Great German attack on Bapaume-St Quentin Road beaten off. 1,500 Germans left. USA guard-ship interned by Turkey.
Tuesday, 17 April
Agnes in bed all day. Very weak and vomiting all the milk she drank. She is very ill tonight indeed, and I don’t know what to do. Feel quite helpless and hopeless. Great French offensive started in 25-mile front. 10,000 Germans captured. So, with the British line, a fierce battle is raging on a 75-mile front.
German prisoners of war.
Wednesday, 18 April
Agnes not suffering any pain now, but is very weak. Went for doctor at night, and then got a bottle of medicine. The greatest battle of the war now raging. Combined length of offensive 125 miles. The French have now taken 14,000 prisoners. British strike again: 227 guns taken so far. American warship attacked by U-boat. Great riots in Berlin. All newspapers are 1d each now, from last Monday.
Thursday, 19 April
Very stormy day. Agnes much the same, and very weak. Nellie Hamilton made the dinner today. I broke a plate tonight. So help me bob. Great French progress on the Aisne. They have captured so far 17,000 Germans and 75 guns. Battle front extends 150 miles.
Friday, 20 April
Dull, cold, windy day. Got myself a new hat. It has evidently affected my brain as I went and paid the gas bill. Doctor up at night. Says it is a haemorrhage. I went down at night with the ash pan and shook the carpets. I broke a butter plate tonight. Am feeling very tired. This is ‘America Day’ all over the country.
Saturday, 21 April
Beautiful day. Jean and Hetty here in the afternoon. Agnes much the same. So as not to poison Agnes with an overdose of medicine, I speculated in a measuring glass. Bathed Tommy at night. 19,000 Germans now captured by the French.
Sunday, 22 April
Very nice day. I got up at 7.45 a.m. Did the grate and washed all the floors and made all the meals. Agnes feeling not so bad, not having to get up. I am dead tired at night. Naval raid on Dover by six German destroyers. Two British patrol boats engage them, and then there were three. We suffer no loss in boats. 33,000 Germans captured in the last week, and 330 guns.
Monday, 23 April
Very nice day. Went down with ash pan in morning and got a most terrific fall. Took Tommy to school. I had a very sore head all day. Agnes not so well tonight. Two hospital ships sunk by U-boats. 75 lives lost including some Germans on board. Haig getting ready for another blow.
Tuesday, 24 April
Nice sunny day. Bought a new pipe today, with real amber mouthpiece. Agnes much better. Doctor up today: his final visit. Agnes to go on to her usual food and to do herself well etc. Nannie Gordon here tonight. Much trouble having weakened my brain, I went round today and paid a doctor’s bill. My head very sore today. Haig resumes the offensive. We take 1,500 prisoners
. British airship shot down off Belgian coast.
Wednesday, 25 April
Mrs Gordon here when I got home. Put a new mantle on the gas, better to see my wife’s dear countenance. Josephine popped in about 7.30 and popped out about 9.45 p.m. I don’t feel well at all. Maybe I’ve injured some of my inside works when I fell. Took a pill at night. British have now taken 3,000. German making margarine etc. out of the German dead bodies.34
Thursday, 26 April
I felt very ill in the morning and had to go back to bed. Agnes had to get up and do the work then. This won’t do her any good, so I got up at dinner time and went to my work. Have lost my appetite. Agnes done up at night.
Friday, 27 April
Agnes had a terrible night of pain last night. A little better this morning and was up all day. Duncan here at night. I’m not so bad now. Explosion at Houston munition works.35 Some women killed. American armed steamer sinks U-boat. Record number of British boats sunk last week by U-boats. Looks serious. So help me bob.
Saturday, 28 April
Very stormy day. Cold. Agnes out today for the first time. I’ve got the cold in the head something wicked. Seeing that Agnes had bust my old lamp, Aladdin-like I gave her a new one.
Tobacco is going to be very dear.
Sunday, 29 April
Agnes seems to be keeping fine. I cleaned the pan we used to make jam in. Scarpe River battle raging.
Monday, 30 April
Tommy very sick at dinner time so we put him to bed. Agnes went to her medical man ce soir and renewed her bottle. Feeling sort of reckless at night, we played at ‘bad man’s pictures’.36 Germans resisting British advance desperately. American senate adopts conscription.
Tuesday, 1 May
Tommy sick in the morning but all right later on. So that her hand would not lose its cunning, Agnes cleaned out the press tonight. Ten years ago today, on 1 May 1907, it was a wet night, so Agnes and I did our courting indoors.37
Wednesday, 2 May
Tommy evidently is all right again. Took a walk out myself at night to see how things were growing etc.38 Came back by Cathcart. 40,000 Germans captured in April in France by the Allies.
Thursday, 3 May
Hot, brilliant weather today. Hetty and Daisy here when I got home. We all saw them off from Queen Street Station 9.15 p.m. Haig starts another offensive. British transport Ballarat torpedoed by U-boat. All saved. Australian troops on board. Tommy starts school again today.
Friday, 4 May
Another warm, sunny day. Cleaned all the windows at night. Paid 7½d for an ounce of ‘thick black’, and I remember when I got it for 3d.39 We are at war evidently. We are to have bread tickets in July, so they say. U-boats up the Clyde, so they say. British troopship Arcadian sunk by U-boat. 279 lives lost. British break the ‘Hindenburg Line’. Terrific fighting.
Saturday, 5 May
Put a new cotton pulley rope up in the kitchen. My niece Isa dropped in at tea time. She had to depart shortly afterwards as we were going out. We had a pleasant evening at the Cinerama. British extend their grip on Hindenburg Line. 900 prisoners taken. British destroyer mined in Channel. 62 lives lost.
Sunday, 6 May
Nice warm, sunny day. Went out myself (selfish man) in the afternoon and admired the countryside, 100 Acre Dyke way. Tommy got bathed at night. Big French victory near Soissons. 5,300 prisoners.
Monday, 7 May
Very cold day. Agnes and Tommy out at night looking for a lady to assist at our annual spring cleaning. I have got a cough. Agnes rubbed my bosom with the requisite oil. German aeroplane drops a few bombs over London to remind them that there is a war on. Official report says not much damage done.
Wednesday, 9 May
Agnes and Tommy away to Ibrox when I came home. They arrived back at 9.20 p.m.
Thursday, 10 May
Another summer day of most cussed cold east winds and icy cold rain. May Crozier here at tea time. Seeing I have the cold, Agnes saw her away by the 9.15 train ex Queen Street. Just a year ago today the military refused me as cannon fodder. British mine sweeper torpedoed. 22 men missing.
* * *
The weather
The climate of Glasgow and its day to day manifestation in the weather are staples of conversation in the city. ‘If it’s not raining, it’s about to rain,’ as one unknown wit had it. In the interests of fairness, it is best to leave the description to an outsider. Charles Allen Oakley, who left Devon at the age of 16 to serve an apprenticeship in John Brown’s shipyard, settled in the city and wrote one of its best-known books. The Second City went through three editions and nine reprintings, evidence of its enduring popularity as a well-written, breezy guide to the history of Glasgow. His description of the city’s climate appeared under the heading ‘Not such a bad climate, really’.
Climatic conditions have moulded the character of the Scot of the western Lowlands. Glasgow is thought, not only by the people of other parts but even by the people of Glasgow themselves, to have a severe climate. Certainly it is not kind to the farmer. But Glasgow has one of the best climates in Great Britain for factory work.
Glasgow’s closeness to the sea makes snow a comparative rarity. Glasgow is misty, but dense fogs, except occasionally in November, are infrequent. The Midlands of England have more snow and more fog than Glasgow. But Glasgow has, of course, its own disadvantages. In particular, it is wet – not with frequent drizzle in the Manchester sense, but with rainstorms of long duration and severity – although other places in, for instance, South Wales and Lancashire have a heavier rainfall as measured over the year. So, although few realise it, has New York.
It has comparatively little sunshine in summer, and the grey skies of July and August tend to make it depressing. But May, June and September and even October can be splendid months. The people of Glasgow have never had to learn what a hot August day in Birmingham is like, or a snowy January in Nottingham, or an enervating June day in Plymouth, or a biting February day in Newcastle.40
Charles Oakley sounds as much a connoisseur of weather as Thomas. But Thomas, as a walker who lived in a draughty house, was acutely aware of the effect of a change in the temperature or precipitation. He was walking in leather boots, and woollen clothes, with perhaps a waterproof coat, hat and umbrella. He had no technical fabrics, no sophisticated waterproof footwear, no socks or underwear of synthetic material that wicked perspiration away from the skin and kept him cool. He was susceptible to downpours, to deep puddles or mud, to clammy weather or blazing sunshine. He kept, as the saying goes, a weather eye on the elements to make the most of his leisure time. His house, also, had none of the technical advances we take for granted. No central heating or double glazing, no fitted carpets or sophisticated insulation, no running hot water. An open fire relied on drawing cold air into the room, and expended a lot of energy heating it on its way up the chimney.
Billy Connolly has remarked that there is no such thing as bad weather, ‘just the wrong clothes’. But for Thomas, Agnes and Wee Tommy, there were few right clothes and the weather figures largely in the diaries for this reason. For Thomas or Agnes there were no summer shorts, no down-filled jackets, no Gore-Tex socks, gloves and weatherproofs. There was no family car to bundle themselves into, snug against the weather, as they drove from door to door to visit their relatives. They had to walk to the tram stop, wait in its inadequate shelter, and walk to their destination at the other end of the journey. They were far closer to the vagaries of the weather than we are, and the types of illnesses they suffered from are perhaps reflections of that. While the Livingstones’ various illnesses don’t seem to relate directly to the changing seasons, they do seem much more cheerful in the summer months when they are able to take long country rambles away from the sooty atmosphere of the city.
Figures from early twentieth century.
* * *
Friday, 11 May
Dull cold day. Working late. I am not feeling so well tonight. Destroyer action in the North Sea.
Germans chased back to Zeebrugge. Grave conditions in Russia. Small British success in the Balkans. 500 yards captured on five-mile front.
Saturday, 12 May
Agnes went over to the painter in the afternoon and brought over 10lbs of paint. I’m going to paint the house one of these days. Took a run over to Sam’s shop at night. He tells me Duncan is called up for re-examination. I suppose I’ll go next.
Sunday, 13 May
Took a walk to Queen’s Park in afternoon. Haig strikes the fifth blow. 700 Germans capture. Zeebrugge heavily shelled by British warships.
Monday, 14 May
Poured solid all day. Had a bath in Govanhill’s new Baths.41 McCort in tonight and did the whitewashing also the lobby. I started painting tonight. Lily phoned me today that Duncan was passed CII class. British army age raised to 50. German Zeppelin shot down in North Sea by our navy.
Tommy's War: A First World War Diary 1913-1918 Page 19