Lot 729

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Description:

COMBAT DIARY OF PVT. LEONARD EVANS, WORCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT
A stunning World War I combat diary filled with incredible content from cover to cover, written by Pvt. Leonard Evans of the Worcestershire Regiment of the British Army. The diary, approx. 60pp. 2.75 x 4.25 in., was written in pencil within worn black faux leather covers. Evans' entries vividly depict life in the trenches under nearly constant bombardment and fire from opposing infantrymen. It is undated, but the content and the mention of Ypres indicates that Evans was attached to the 2nd Battalion, and is describing the First Battle of Ypres. It was here where the Worcestershires held the line against overwhelming odds in October 1914. Far too long to quote extensively, we can only offer a small sample of the contents. The diary opens with Evans briefly noting his departure from Southampton on Sep. 1, arriving in Rouen the next day, and arriving on the 'firing line' on Sep. 4 at 3:30 AM. In very small part: '...sniping at night, just under half rations...German position bombarded by our artillery...in rest camp...more like hard labour...severe bombardment of our whole position...sappers all night, plenty of snipers...can't keep going any longer, must go to redoubt for brief sleep...all day...[Germans] sent over 10 shells to the minute...about 50 dead bodies...ready for the big attack on Saturday...game of football behind the firing lines...[bodies] lying in front and behind of our position and the stench where parts of bodies are sticking out of the sides of the trenches...we have had to cut them in pieces to carry...shell burst on the back of a dug out occupied by about 12 of us killing one man...Sep. 26...I experienced one of the sharpest actions...hell let loose...unpleasant job today taking up walls bringing back dead bodies...they dropped in two as you picked them up...German line opposing is manned by Saxons, they seem a decent sort...allowed us to fetch dead and wounded off their barbed wire...and were roundly cheered by our men amidst answering cheers by the Germans...[Germans had] blown up a mine, sending one [British] company up in the air...they charged and took two of our trenches...I had a walk through Ypres, no one can imagine the utter ruin of this place...violent bombardment with every kind of shell from whiz bangs to incendiary shells...' At some point, Evans is hospitalized for about ten days, and returns to the from on Oct. 27. He complains bitterly of the state of the trenches, apparently neglected by Canadian troops who had recently vacated them. He continues: '...aeroplanes very active...gun pits opened very heavy fire on enemy redoubts...fairly heavy reply...only thing to do is to stick it till you stop a bullet or are carried out on a stretcher...rations rotten, seven men on a two pound loaf...gas attack...gasses being used on left and right...Dec. 31...our guns opened fire at midnight one battery sending up 12 shells like the stroke of a clock...the most powerful shell I have ever seen was fired this morning by the Germans...it is thought to be a naval gun brought up on an armoured train...From Feb. 1-18, 1915 Evans was finally granted a period of rest, and then he returns to briefly note being bombed by aircraft, the shooting down of a zeppelin, and more bombardment. His last entries, in the final days of February, are blurred but seem to indicate an issue with his lungs (probably from gas) and his being sent to a hospital. Much more similar content. This simply incredible account describes a life in Hell, with daily artillery bombardments, sniping, charges, and counter-charges. A few of the pages are smudged, but 90% of the text is easily read. One of the best war diaries we've had from any conflict.

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May 22, 2021 10:00 AM EDT
Chesapeake City, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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$100 $499 $20
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$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000