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

by Thomas Cairns Livingstone

  Wednesday, 22 May

  Met my niece Lily in town, took her home with me. We sat in the room and had a little music. I walked Lily home. 1,000 German aeroplanes downed by the British during the last two months.

  Friday, 24 May

  Agnes finished the room tonight. Heaven be praised. Tommy got a new pair of sand shoes today. Germans make a highly successful air raid on a British hospital in France. Hundreds killed and injured.

  Saturday, 25 May

  Rained all day. Got my gamp recovered today for 7/6.47 After tea we went to town to get Tommy a new blazer. Troopship Moldavia torpedoed. 56 Yankees missing. Cork Steam Packet Co. steamer Innis Carra torpedoed off Irish coast. 30 lives lost.

  Sunday, 26 May

  I went to the Park of the Queen in the afternoon. After tea, I took Agnes and the family a walk out to Rutherglen. We gave Sam a look-up in the passing, but as he was out, we had to look down again. We meandered through the Overtoun Park and then carred home.48

  Monday, 27 May

  Agnes went to the Royal Infirmary to see Jenny Roxburgh. Poor Jenny was operated on last Friday. Miss Fraser also went, so Agnes had a crack with her old boss. After tea, Agnes and Tommy went down to Clydebank. Germans open new offensive this morning in British and French sectors between Rheims and Soissons and Locre and Voormezeele.

  Tuesday, 28 May

  The great German push continues. They make between Soissons and Rheims. They cross the Aisne.

  * * *

  The final German offensive of the war began in March 1918, when the Central Powers attacked the Allies at St Quentin. The German forces, with additional units newly arrived from the Eastern Front, hoped to break the Anglo-French line, and at first made great advances. The Allies regrouped under the French military strategist General Ferdinand Foch and introduced 300,000 troops who had been held in Britain against the threat of invasion. The Germans continued to advance, and Paris was again under threat. The Allies contained the danger, however, and the Germans were halted.

  In July 1918, General Foch commanded a combined force of American and French troops against the beleaguered Germans and, in what became known as the Second Battle of the Marne, drove them back across the River Marne. This was the beginning of the end, as the Allies battled the Germans back along the entire length of the Western Front.

  * * *

  Wednesday, 29 May

  Gave Mr Carmichael a little assistance with his new waxcloth, then I took Agnes and Tommy to the Palace. Agnes at infirmary in afternoon seeing Jenny. Germans sweep on.

  Thursday, 30 May

  Agnes dwelling in the wash-house and back green all day. I rose early this morning, walked out to Ruglen, Mill Street, Croftfoot and back by Mount Florida. Germans capture Soissons but held up at Rheims. They claim 25,000 prisoners.

  Saturday, 1 June

  Another fine sunny day. We all went out to Ruglen in the afternoon and had a seat in the Overtoun Park. Germans reach the Marne and 50 miles from Paris. Rheims still holding out. Germans claim now 45,000 prisoners and 400 guns. British air raid on Zeebrugge and Bruges docks. Another British hospital bombed in France by the Huns. Some WAACs killed.49

  Sunday, 2 June

  Another day of great heat and sunshine. Went over Cathkin before breakfast and back by Croftfoot and Mount Florida. After dinner we all went out the Carmunnock Road and back by Cathcart. After tea we had a seat in Queen’s Park and watched the girls. We are all quite sunburnt. Germans advance still further.

  Monday, 3 June

  German advance held up. Gotha raid on Paris. On and after today, postage on letters costs 1½d and postcards 1d. We are at war.

  Tuesday, 4 June

  My birthday. Got up early this morning. Toryglen, Ruglen, 100 Acre Dyke and home by Hangingshaws. Agnes and Tommy down at Clydebank in the afternoon. Very bad news. No hope for Jenny, my good old pal. Agnes very upset. Germans over the Marne. And thrown back again. 150 American war vessels in European waters, manned by 35 to 40,000 men.

  Wednesday, 5 June

  Hotter than ever today. Sunshine all day. Agnes met me in town and I got a pair of boots at three times the pre-war price. Agnes got a pair of slippers (4/6). After tea we all went to the Palace. American troops doing well in France.

  Thursday, 6 June

  We all went to [Claude] Maxwell’s house in Langside. He home on sick leave after being wounded. He goes back next week. Miss Maxwell (his sister) is a teacher in Tommy’s school. U-boats appear off American coast. 14 boats (20,000 tons) sunk.

  Saturday, 8 June

  Went out in the afternoon to my tailor and got my suit. It will cost just twice what I used to pay.

  Sunday, 9 June

  Josephine and Pa arrived at 4.30 p.m. Agnes not eating very well just now. A month at the coast would be a good idea. These worrying times are trying to her.

  Monday, 10 June

  I spent the night repairing the big chair. This is the ‘anniversary’, for better or worse. German offensive renewed between Montdidier and Noyon.

  Thursday, 13 June

  Paid the Corporation Gas robbers their bill today for my share of their bad gas. Agnes down at Clydebank at night to see Jenny Roxburgh. Absolutely no hope for Jenny.

  Friday, 14 June

  Some heavy showers. Agnes got me two ounces of ‘thick black’. Germans held up again. Four Rhine towns bombed by British airmen.

  Sunday, 16 June

  Very dull day. Put on my new suit, new boots and soft hat, so dressed like a gentleman I went to church. Communion on. After dinner we all went out to Sam’s house.

  Monday, 17 June

  With the permission of my dearly beloved I took a walk at evening to wit through Maxwell and Queen’s Park. Tommy got a penny today from the headmistress of his school for getting high marks for all his lessons. Good boy!

  Tuesday, 18 June

  Rose at 5.30 a.m. this morning and went to Queen’s Park. Some rain fell. Dull, nasty day. Agnes spent it in the wash-house, so it rained at frequent intervals. Great British naval air raids on Zeebrugge, Ostend, Bruges etc.

  Wednesday, 19 June

  Agnes is not keeping in the best of health just now. We’ll need to see about some holidays. I doctored a few boots with studs etc. Big German attack on Rheims turned into a bad defeat for the Huns.

  Thursday, 20 June

  When I got home, Agnes went down to Clydebank to see Jenny. I always dread the worst when she comes home. Tommy did some painting during the evening. Agnes got home at 10.30. Poor Jenny has not got long now. She suffers greatly.

  Saturday, 22 June

  Would have been a nice day if it had not rained so frequently, if it had been warmer, and if the wind had not been so violent. Sat at the fire and made ourselves comfortable.

  Sunday, 23 June

  Rose at 6 a.m. and had a walk over Cathkin. After dinner we met Sam, Nellie and Wee John and William Kirk at Jamaica Street, took car to Bishopbriggs and walked to Cadder Church. After the service, they came back with us for tea.

  Tuesday, 25 June

  Fine day, but not warm enough yet. Coal now 5/- per bag, and we need a fire every day yet.

  Wednesday, 26 June

  Agnes went down to Clydebank after tea time. Jenny slowly sinking, but cheerier tonight.

  Thursday, 27 June

  900,000 American troops now in France.

  Friday, 28 June

  Tommy got his summer holidays today. I filled in the new Ration Books at night. Paris raided by German aeroplanes. 11 killed.

  Saturday, 29 June

  Nice day and more like summer. We all went to the Majestic at night. Agnes saw an airship today and Tommy saw two aeroplanes. I saw nothing.

  Sunday, 30 June

  Rose at 6 a.m., took a walk out to Ruglen and back by Carmunnock Road. Got home at 9.30 for my breakfast. We all went to the West End Park, a band performance being on.50 Tremendous crowd, so we did not wait.

  Monday, 1 July

  Very dull
, depressing sort of day. Great British air raids on Rhine towns.

  Tuesday, 2 July

  Took Tommy out at night for a walk, 100 Acre Dyke, came back by Mount Florida. Carried some water for Mr Cormack’s plot. Another U-boat crime. Hospital ship Llandovery Castle torpedoed, 234 lives lost. Disaster in England. Shell factory blown up, 100 lives lost.

  Thursday, 4 July

  British air raids on Metz and Coblenz. This is the day we fly ‘Old Glory’.

  Friday, 5 July

  Influenza epidemic spreading all over the country. What they call the ‘Spanish Influenza’.51 Sultan of Turkey dead.

  Sunday, 7 July

  I went down to Govan and the docks to see all the wonderful boats. Influenza seems everywhere, even among the troops.

  Monday, 8 July

  In the forenoon, Jean Crozier and Jane McGregor here with the shocking news of May’s death. All the Coatbridge girls at Lamlash on holiday and confined to bed with influenza, and Meg very seriously so. Poor May had gone down last Friday, feeling ill, developed pneumonia and died this morning about 3 a.m. It is an awful shock to us. Jean in a state of collapse. Agnes going to Coatbridge, so she went out to Ruglen to see about leaving Tommy there. We both feel very upset at the sad news.

  Tuesday, 9 July

  Wet, dark, dismal day. Agnes took Tommy out to Nellie this morning and left him there, then went to Coatbridge herself. Don’t know when she will be back. Felt very dumped tonight, so I went out to Ruglen to see how Tommy was doing. Sam off his work today with the influenza, evidently. Got home at midnight. The influenza evidently at Greenlodge. Isa has had it.

  Wednesday, 10 July

  Terrible day of heavy showers. Feel out of sorts altogether today. Took a run out to Greenlodge at night. Josephine and Lily both confined to bed with the influenza. Home at 9.45 p.m. No news yet from Agnes. Looking forward to yet dreading tomorrow.

  Thursday, 11 July

  Very nice weather today. Left my work at 10 a.m. Went to Coatbridge for the funeral. Was there about 1 p.m. Got Jean McGregor from the station. Poor May laid at rest in Old Monklands Cemetery. After dinner at the hotel, Agnes and I went home. We got home about 6.30 p.m. and then walked out to Ruglen to bring Tommy home. As usual, Sam was playing bowls. We got home about midnight. It has been a sad, sad week. Even as I write this I can hardly believe I’ll never see May again.

  Friday, 12 July

  This is Fair Friday. I got away at 1.15 p.m. May’s untimely death is too fresh in my mind to think much of the Fair holiday.

  Saturday, 13 July

  Fair Saturday, so I have a holiday. Went out before breakfast, Queen’s Park etc. Agnes thinks she is taking the ‘Spanish Influenza’ as her legs feel very wobbly. I took a walk through the shows on the Green, then called up for a little at Greenlodge. Only my niece Lily in. She is getting better of the influenza.

  Monday, 15 July

  Fair Monday, so I am still on holiday. I was out at 6.30 a.m. for a walk, but the rain came on extra so I went back again. Before dinner I took a run out to Ruglen and had a look-in at the Bowling Green. Spoke to Dan Hamilton, an old school mate. He is just newly discharged from the army after three years in France. I came back by Croftfoot and Cathcart. Great German offensive launched against the French on 55-mile front east and west of Rheims.

  Wednesday, 17 July

  The plumber here in the morning destroying the woodwork and sorting the plumbing. Kate Roxburgh here at tea time. Battle resumed for Rheims. Great German losses. Americans regain lost ground. Japanese naval disaster. Battleship Kawachi blown up, 700 lives lost.

  Friday, 19 July

  Agnes went out tonight to Ruglen. I cleaned all the kitchen brasses and put Tommy to bed. French and Americans still advance. 16,000 enemy taken.

  Saturday, 20 July

  Dull depressing day. Agnes got a postcard from Kate Roxburgh. Jenny is much worse. After tea Agnes went down to Clydebank. I took Tommy out a walk to Maxwell Park. Agnes got home 1 p.m. Poor Jenny very ill indeed. The end can’t be far off. Good progress being made with Franco-American counter-offensive. 17,000 men and 360 guns captured. Scottish troops capture Méteren, in the Bailleul sector.

  Sunday, 21 July

  Very wet morning, but turned out a lovely warm day. I took a walk to Paisley and Renfrew in the afternoon. Germans retreat across the Marne. Great French advance. Grand Fleet and seaplanes bomb Zepp nests off the Jutland coast.

  Monday, 22 July

  Feel my throat a trifle sore. Nellie Hamilton up for a few hours at dinner time. Andrew laid up in hospital at Norwich with neuritis.52 Influenza scourge: 62 deaths last week in Glasgow. 14 from influenza and 48 from pneumonia following influenza.

  Tuesday, 23 July

  Dull, depressing wet day. Agnes went down to Clydebank at night to see Jenny. Yankee soldiers beginning to appear in the streets today. Saw the famous Zouave Band in the square today.53

  Wednesday, 24 July

  Swallowing quinine pellets all day to ease my throat.54 White Star liner Justicia torpedoed. 13 lives lost. 400 passengers landed on Irish coast.

  Thursday, 25 July

  My throat seems easier now. Big munition strike in England.55 American troops arriving in France 300,000 per month.

  Friday, 26 July

  We went to Queen’s Park at night and heard the famous Zouave Band. Enormous crowd. Some of the Zouaves came round with collecting boxes for the French Red Cross. Tommy put in a donation and the Zouave patted his cheek. Great delight of Tommy. Eggs 5/- per dozen now. At beginning of war, tonnage of the British navy was 2,500,000. It is now 8,000,000.

  Saturday, 27 July

  Very nice day. In the afternoon I took a stroll to Langside Library. After tea we all went to Maxwell Park and home by Queen’s Park. I got a clay pipe but no tobacco. Fresh progress by Allies on the Marne. 1,800 more prisoners. Cabinet’s ultimatum to the strikers: ‘Work or fight!’56

  Monday, 29 July

  We all visited our poor relations at Greenlodge Terrace. Duncan not back yet from his holidays in Ireland. There is a notice from the military waiting for him, calling him up 31 July. Hard lines. Munition strike ended. Strikers prefer to make £10 to £20 a week to going to the trenches, blast them.

  Tuesday, 30 July

  Deaths from influenza [in Glasgow] last week were 25, pneumonia 28, total 53. Capture of Sergy by Americans. Scottish successes at Soissons.

  Thursday, 1 August

  Agnes went down to Clydebank at night. Lily telephoned me today that Duncan left last night for London. He is in the Army Service Corps and has to learn motor driving. Got half an ounce of ‘thick black’ today. German defeat at Rheims. Signs of further retreat. Kaiser’s war boast: ‘Not afraid of America’s Army’.

  Friday, 2 August

  Thought I had not locked the office safe so Tommy and I walked in at night. It was a false alarm. I showed Tommy a ‘Yankee’ soldier or ‘doughboy’.57 Marne advance. New push last night. Ridge captured. One and a half million American troops in Europe now. Britain has loaned the Allies £1,402,000,000.

  Saturday, 3 August

  After dinner we had a seat in Queen’s Park. An aeroplane flew about. Great Allied victory: Soissons regained. Advance on 25-mile front for three miles.

  Sunday, 4 August

  After tea, we all went up to the Cormacks. Mr Cormack’s brother had no ‘thick black’ so I gave him a couple of inches. This is the Great War anniversary.

  Monday, 5 August

  Tommy got his weekly new pair of shoes. Paris shelled again by the long-range gun.58 Since the beginning of the war, Great Britain has raised for the army 6,250,000 men, India 1,250,000 and the Colonies 1,000,000. 1,500,000 men are in the British navy over and above this.

  Wednesday, 7 August

  Agnes and Tommy came into town with me at dinner time as they were going to Clydebank. Jenny not so well. Tommy got half-a-crown from Jenny for his birthday (which is on Friday). Covered Tommy’s new shoes with studs to see i
f they would last a week or two.

  Thursday, 8 August

  Tommy in bed all day with a bad cold. We had all to go out to Sam’s tonight, so Agnes went herself. I stayed at home with Tommy, wrote up my diary, broke sticks and laid aside some lumps of coal for the lean time to come. Great new offensive: Haig leads two armies, British Fourth Army and French First Army. Advance on wide front in Amiens region. Hundreds of tanks in action.