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Journal, 26 Nov. 1917-May 1918 (diary entries start at 19 December 1917)

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9852/1/12

Scope and Contents

The volume is a ruled notebook (with 'Palestine' scratched on upper cover) and mostly comprises diary entries written at Litherland, Limerick, Egypt and Palestine.

Significant entries include: /2r-3r. mentioning his protest against the continuation of the war; /4r. on being posted to Limerick; /7v-8r, /19v-20r. mentioning [Robert] Graves and Craiglockhart; /11v. on being posted to Egypt, with list of points for and against this; /29v. his arrival at base camp, Kantara; /30v. Sassoon posted to 25th RWF [destined for Palestine]; /53v-56v. entries written on board SS Malwa on the return journey to France; /58r-59v. entry concerning [Dr W.H.R.] Rivers and Craiglockhart; /59v. entry concerning Lord Kitchener.

The volume also includes:

- a list of days spent hunting during 1917-1918: /1v.

- lists of books taken away 'To Egypt' and 'Take up the Line': /5v.

- drafts of poetry: /5r. 'A Moment of Waking'; /6r. 'Journey's End'; /6v-7r. 'In Barrack's'; /8v. & /48v. 'Shadows'; /9r. 'To the Unknown Spirit', later called 'Idyll'; /9v.-10v. 'On the Arras Road', later called 'The Dream'; /10v-11r. 'Dead Musicians'; /13v. 'Together'; /14r. 'The Contest', later called 'The Noble Art'; /14v-15r. 'Prelude in the Gateway', later called 'Beginnings'; /15v. 'Memory'; /18r. 'Après le Guerre (To O.M.)'; /18v. 'Remorse'; /37v-38r. untitled, begins 'We pitch our tents among the rock built slopes'; /41r. & /59r. untitled, later called 'In Palestine'; /60r. 'Flamingoes' (sic); /63v-64r. 'Dawn near Brindisi', first draft erased; /64v-66r. 'The Journey', one draft largely erased; / 68v. 'Strombos Horns'.

- sketches and doodles: /23r. 'Birdless Idyll', showing olive trees and sky; /23v. Cypress trees and a church; /24r. a castle; /65v-66r. human or angel figures, one double faced; /61r. preparatory sketch for a water colour of a hilly landscape with trees.

- a list of 'Birds seen in Judea': /60v.

- notes from military briefing meetings: /66v-69v. in part entitled 'Duties of Company Gas N[on-]C[ommissioned] O[fficer]' and including notes on supervised practice drills.

- lists of members of his ?section under headings such as 'Scouts' and 'N[on-]C[ommissioned] O[fficer]s': /62r-63r.

- quotations: /55r. John Lydgate, begins 'Tarry no longer'; /59v. reporting gossip; /64v. Father Paul Bull, 'Peace and War'.

- acquaintances' contact details: /70r.

N.B. After folio /62r entries resume from the back of the notebook. There are no loose enclosures or detached folios. The foliation is the archivist's.

Dates

  • 26 Nov. 1917-May 1918 (diary entries start at 19 December 1917)

Conditions Governing Access

This notebook has been digitised and can be viewed in full on the Cambridge Digital Library at http://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-ADD-09852-00001-00012/1. The original item is currently unavailable for consultation due to its poor physical condition.

Extent

1 volume(s) (1 volume (blue diced morocco with elasticated tie, marbled endpapers, 70 ff.) paper) : paper

Language of Materials

English

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

This item is fragile. The binding is extremely loose and cracked between folios /68 and /69. The front cover is rubbed and the edges of the text block are soft.

Repository Details

Part of the Cambridge University Library Repository

Contact:
Cambridge University Library
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Cambridge CB3 9DR United Kingdom