Description
Object description
British officer served with 11th Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regt) on Western Front, 1917
Content description
REEL 1: Aspects of operations with 11th Bn Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regt) on Western Front, 1917: description of Larchwood Tunnels at Hill 60, Ypres Salient; problem of being illuminated by Very lights while moving between support and front line trenches; description of mine exploding on Hill 60, 7/Jun/1917; casualties; description of advancing beyond crater to objective on top of Hill 60; story about meeting L/Cpl. Wilson; amusing story about Sgt. Scott; reaction to loss of fellow officers; description of German counter-attack; story of sitting in shell hole with decapitated German soldier; occupied captured German trenches on Hill 60; story of eating condensed milk and jam in dugout at Battersea Farm; iron rations; Bn reorganised and received drafts of new officers; story about death of 2/Lt. Haddock.
REEL 2 Continues: opinion of new drafts; question of rank and promotion; description of journey with servant along Menin Road, 10/1917; role as Bombing Officer in charge of ammunition dump at Hooge Crater; story about having breakfast with Lord Woodhouse; further comments on ammunition dump at Hooge Crater; opinion of accommodation in German dugouts; description of arriving at Inverness Copse in dark; story of seeing limber and mules in shell hole; further description of journey along Menin Road; problem of heavy rain; description of wounded returning on stretchers to Hooge; attitude to fear; opinion of accuracy of play 'Journey's End'; role in censoring letters; opinion of men at ammunition dump in Hooge Crater; description of role as Bombing Officer and correct method of throwing bombs.
REEL 3 Continues: daily routine and duties at ammunition dump in Hooge Crater; description of ammunition and method of storage; story of shell landing on ammunition dump; amusing story about rats in Nissen huts; problem of lice and personal hygiene; description of Talbot House, Poperinghe including sign 'Abandon rank all ye who enter here'; opinion of 'Tubby' Clayton; attitude to formality between officers and men; story about loyalty shown by NCO called Whiteley; story about servant Pte. Halliwell taking new bucket from ammunition limber; story about servant Pte. Thornton reciting 'Gunga Din'; duties with working parties; importance of maintaining silence; attitude to seeing soldiers killed; opinion of operations at Messines Ridge and Hill 60, 6/1917; reason for nickname 'Lucky Jim'; length of service with Company; reaction to being posted to Italy, 11/1917; sporting activities; story about 2/Lt. Levey composing and performing amusing songs; description of redoubt at Ypres-Comines Canal; story of soldier firing on one of Baron von Richthofen's aircraft and reprisal attacks on trenches; description of firing positions in dugouts and reaction of men to receiving leg wounds; attitude to self-inflicted wounds; various memories of popular songs sung by soldiers; opinion of British soldiers; reflections on war.