Thursday 22 May 2014

TNA uploads 36th (Ulster) Division's WW1 diary

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/first-world-war/centenary-unit-war-diaries.htm
The National Archives in London (TNA) has uploaded a third batch of WW1 unit diaries from France and Flanders to its First World War 100 portal.

This batch consists of 724 diaries (WO 95/2432 – WO 95/3154) including those from the Kitchener Divisions and those of the Territorial Force.

While Irish men served in any number of units, this batch is especially interesting for those of Irish heritage as it holds the diaries of the 36th (Ulster) Division, which suffered many casualties on 1 July 1916.

The unit war diaries provide interesting accounts of battles and events, as well as insights into the daily routines of British troops on the Western Front. Also included in the diaries are accounts of troops' sports activities which helped keep them motivated and continue fighting until the end of the war.

You can find out more about this latest batch on the TNA website (click image). For details of the two previous uploads and an overview, see my January announcement of the War Diaries project.