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Journal, 9 May 1918-2 Feb. 1919 (bar 18 June-19 August)

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0012/MS Add.9852/1/13

Scope and Contents

The volume is a grid ruled notebook and mostly comprises diary entries written in France (at Domvast, Magnicourt and Habarcq) and notes of social engagements upon Sassoon's return to England (after receiving a head wound).

Significant diary entries include: /3v-4r. Col. Campbell's lecture on 'the spirit of the bayonet'; /15v-16r. an entry concerning poet 'Bob' [Robert] Nicholls; /27r-27v. notes on the loss of a notebook for 18 June-19 August 1918 and on being wounded in France; meetings in England with Winston Churchill /28r & /29r and Thomas Hardy /30r-31r; /28v. on the death of Robbie Ross; and /31v. on the armistice.

The volume also includes:

- locations and dates of time spent at or near the Western Front: /1v.

- prose passages: /12v. commendatory 'Note on my servant' Private John Law; /25v-26r. 'Difficulties', begins 'I am beginning to realise the difficulties of combining the functions of soldier and poet!'; /26v. 'Supreme Sacrifice'.

- drafts of poetry: /17v. 'Reward'; /21v. 'Colin', begins 'One by one they've passed across the scene'; /51v. 'The Patriot'.

- a list of poems published and in which publication: /50r.

- quotations: /4v-5r. extracts from censored letters; /7r. 'A Militaristic Curiosity' (from General Routine Orders 2901): 'Blood Transfusions' and 3055 'Exhumations'; /7v. no author given, 'Extracts from Experiences of a Division in recent Fighting'; /7v, /10r-10v. Duhamel, begins 'To make up one's mind to die', and other passages; /25r. Adjutant, 25th R[oyal] W[elsh] F[usiliers], on returning company books to the office on time; /52r. Aldous Huxley, 'Plaint'.

- acquaintances' contact details: /1v, /47v-48r, /50v-51r and /53r-54r.

N.B. Enclosures and detached folios are to be found in a separate envelope. The foliation is the archivist's. Blank from folios /43r-47r.

Dates

  • 9 May 1918-2 Feb. 1919 (bar 18 June-19 August)

Conditions Governing Access

This notebook and its enclosures have been digitised and can be viewed in full on the Cambridge Digital Library at http://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-ADD-09852-00001-00013/1. The original items are currently unavailable for consultation due to their poor physical condition.

Extent

1 volume(s) (1 volume (black morocco, front pocket, marbled endpapers, 54 ff.); 1 envelope paper) : paper

1 envelope(s) (1 volume (black morocco, front pocket, marbled endpapers, 54 ff.); 1 envelope paper)

Language of Materials

English