Transcription Page

Frank Swannell Diaries: Part I

Diaries of Frank Cyril Swannell Learn more.

*All transcriptions are provided by volunteers, and the accuracy of the transcriptions is not guaranteed. Please be sure to verify the information by viewing the image record, or visiting the BC Archives in person. 

BC Archives MS-0392 - Box 1, Volume 4-5

*Please note that archival source materials are original historical documents that have not been censored, reviewed or otherwise altered by the Royal BC Museum. Some materials may contain content that is racist, sexist or otherwise offensive. The Royal BC Museum is only the custodian of archival materials; the content does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Royal BC Museum.

Current Page Transcription [edit] [history]

Festubert - May 20 - 1915

[29th, Sun rises 7 h 45 m.

Sunday 24 [24 341] 3rd after Epiphany

- Crossing ditch going back noticed a Kiltie lying in the water

- Found afterwards he was wounded, thought we were Germans & so kept quiet.

Monday 25 [25 - 340]

Germans shelling the road so we hit for the British Trenches. Worst sight of all in the half light - Blown to pieces - sand bags & odds & ends of humanity - stumbling along, catching ones feet in the dead men's accoutrements - Some of the relieving battalion tried to hit back with us - we were ordered to block the way with the bayonet, but they ran around us - We wanted to shoot.

Tuesday 26 [26 - 339]

4 Arriving at the trenches we had held for two days found our supports had used our greatcoats as roofing for new head cover & rifled our packs. Found Lieut. Morton's greatcoat & revolver undisturbed, brought it out.

At the back line ran into a wounded 15th man, helped him to the dressing station. He fainted directly he got there

Wednesday 27 [27 - 338]

- Head and leg with shrapnel - Got back & found the adjutant ladling out rum - Gave me half a mess tin lid full - never tasted it, hardly, but it picked me up

21st Couldn't sleep so went between lines and rustled up new equipment from the British dead of the unsuccessful charge of a week before - "Gordons" & "Scotch Guards" - Chucked away my Ross & picked up a Lee-Enfield - Got a Glengarry too - German dead of last autumn still floating in the ditches - Got a long bayonet from a dead Gordon. Took about six dead Scotchman to equip me completely with what I had lost in the charge

BC Archives, MS-0392 Box 1 Volume 4 / FRANK SWANNELL PAPERS / Diary and enclosures, 1915.

Current Page Discussion [edit] [history]

Image 32 of 561