Description
Object description
British private served with 1st and 5th Bns Dorset Regt on Western Front, 1914-1918
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of training with Dorset Regt in GB, 1914: story of enlisting in Dorset Regt aged 15, 5/Jan/1914; medical; training with Militia; called up at outbreak of war, 8/1914; training; drafted to France with 1st Bn Dorset Regt. Recollections of operations with 1st Bn Dorset Regt on Western Front, 1914-1916: description of operations in Mons area, Belgium, 23/Aug/1914; memory of German Uhlans; moved to trenches in Ypres area, Belgium; description of conditions around Hill 60; description of being gassed, 5/1915; effects of gas and casualties; posted to Bray-sur-Somme sector, Somme, France, 1916; role as sniper; memory of seeing No 1 Field Punishment; role as platoon runner; description of conditions in Albert area and River Ancre prior to Somme offensive, 6-7/1916; memory of artillery bombardment; role with wiring party; description of German bombardment and attack; damage to trenches; prisoners and casualties .
REEL 2 Continues: story of rifle grenade exploding in trench; injuries; issued with new equipment; memory of Zeppelin flying over Hill 60; cooking facilities; rations and rum ration; description of six weeks training for Somme offensive; weather conditions on 1/Jul/1916; description of attacking German trenches around Mouquet Farm; use of Mills bombs; problem of weight of equipment; casualties; story of being wounded and medical treatment in France and GB; posted to France with 5th Bn Dorset Regt. Recollections of operations with 5th Bn Dorset Regt on Western Front, 1916-1918: role in assisting with wounded at Casualty Clearing Stations; story of German helmet and death of lance-corporal; memory of tanks; description of explosion of mines at Messines.
REEL 3 Continues: story of attack on trenches and men buried alive; memory of French girl dismembered by shell; use of whale oil on feet to prevent frostbite; various memories of death of friends; description of attack on railway embankment and capture of German guns; story of death of officer in Manchester Regt; billeted in barn; story of capturing drunken Germans; story of King George V thrown from horse during visit; description of role in firing party for execution of deserter from 5th Bn; attitude to survival; question of dud shells; sight and sound of shells; story of Mills bomb; medals; sporting activities.