Charlie’s Somme diary
ADIARY written by a Nottinghamshire soldier during one of the bloodiest battles in history reveals what life was like during the First World War. Charles Smith – Charlie to his friends – was on the front line on July 1, 1916, when the Battle of the Somme began. He had alongside him a small diary, which is now up for grabs at auction.
The interesting lot gives an insight into what life was like, from the size of his boots (nine) to what the weather was like every day.
In the lead-up to the battle, in which around one million people were wounded or killed, he wrote on June 16, 1916: “Went up to the trenches for first time with digging party” followed by “went into the trenches for the first time” on June 22, 1916. The diary, written in pencil when he was 21, was taken to a valuation day at Hanson’s Auctioneers, in Derbyshire, by his descendants, along with other items relating to his service, including a Military Medal.
Adrian Stevenson, militaria expert at Hansons, said: “It’s a humble affair, a small beige book. But inside is a rich historical treasure that survived one of the bloodiest conflicts in history. Pick it up and images immediately spring to mind of those terrible First World War trenches. This diary has been in those trenches, the place where war took its toll on an entire generation.”
Charlie had it by his side on July 1, 1916 - the day the Battle of the Somme started. His entry for June 30, 1916 reads, “Left for the trenches for big attack, 9.30pm.” It was followed on July 1, 2016, by: “Brigade made attack, Robin Hoods led, 8th was in reserve.”
Charlie’s Military Medal citation reads: ‘No 305939 Private C Smith, 1/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters awarded Military Medal November 3rd, 1918, for the following act of gallantry: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack near Regnicourt on 17th October, 1918.
“This man, as a Company Runner, was of invaluable service to his Company Officer, carrying messages quickly and accurately under heavy enemy machine gun fire. He was always anxious to be in the fight and did extremely well all day.”
Mr Stevenson added: “Charlie was clearly a young man of immense bravery and integrity and, thanks to this discovery, we can honour his memory.
“His diary sits alongside other items connected to his military service, including his demob certificates and a war badge for ‘Services Rendered’ since August 4, 1914 - the year the conflict broke out. The fact it was awarded in 1919 tell us that Charlie was one of the lucky ones. He survived.”
Charlie’s diary features no more than a line or two on each page, a short note about his day. For example, on Monday January 10, 1916, he wrote: “On parade. Repaired sea wall. Cleaned rifles. Wrote to J Martin (France). Work continued.’
Short family notes sometimes intensely sad, creep in. On May 19, 1916, he wrote: “General training’ then, underlined, ‘Grandmother died.’”
Mr Stevenson said: “Perhaps they had no time to dwell. We see references to it ‘being quiet in the trenches,’ ‘night operations’ and ‘French bombing.’”
But there was some light relief. On December 25, 1916, Charlie wrote: ‘“Attended Mass in dugout at dressing station. BDE dinner.” At least Christmas Day warranted a break from routine.
Charlie lived to be 90, dying in 1985. His war diary, medals and documents have an estimate of £250-£350 and will be sold on July 25 at a coins, medals and militaria auction at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall.