Volume 1 - First World War diaries, 1916-1919

Collaboration is restricted for this collection. Please contact the project owner if you wish to help transcribe.

Collaboration is restricted for this collection. Please contact the project owner if you wish to help transcribe.

MEMORANDUM FROM 1915

Memoranda or diaries require untold perseverance. In Aug 1914 at Valcartier I started a diary intending to carry it through, but after a few months let it lapse. In looking back I can see the benefit which I would derive if I kept it up. So it is with this experience that in opening this diary for 1916 I have the past regrets to spur me on. True, to write 'something' each day when at times one day is so like another seems foolish & useless & a waste of time, thereby giving one a good excuse to wait until something really worth writing turns up. but I have come to the conclusion that if for nothing more than dates & places visited when one is on the move makes the energy expended well worth the effort.

over

MEMORANDUM FROM 1915

Dec 31 1916.

I have been very glad that this diary has been kept & now that the year is over I realize how little trouble it has been.

It soon becomes a habit to write something daily & whereas I did not start one with the intention of keeping a record of impressions but merely more as a reference for dates & places & I find that in that alone I have been amply repaid for time expended.

January SATURDAY 1 1916

New York City.

Met Harry Hodgson at [McAlpine?] yesterday. Last night with Lawrence, Lawson, [unclear], Bowles & [unclear]. Much dancing. persumably preferring it to eating.

St. Patrick's Cathedral with Hodgson at 11. [unclear] & dinner with Bee & Clare. After saw Leo Dietrichstein in 'A Great Lover'.

N.Y. much the same only not so impressive or all superior to me since I have been away.