R J Smith

Microfilm of ms diary (20 volumes), covering the period September 1914 - April 1919, written while serving as a Corporal with 1/4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment until 31 December 1916 and as a Sergeant with 1st King George's Own Bengal Sappers and Miners Royal Engineers in India, until February 1917, and Mesopotamia, describing his training; the voyage to Bombay and journey to Jubbulpore, giving full and varied descriptions of his physical and human surroundings and all aspects of his life there; his time at Subathu hill station (near Simla) during the summer of 1916, his journey to Mesopotamia and his work in the Printing Section of the KGO Bengal Sappers and Miners as a compositor in Baghdad, including the city and its people, the life there, especially the very high temperatures and the resulting problems, his move to a new camp at Bagubah; a period of leave in India (April-June 1918); winter camp of Hambis (October 1918 - February 1919) and his journey home to his demobilisation; together with 10 ms letters to his family (July 1915 - May 1918), 1 ms letter from his sister describing a Zeppelin raid on Tunbridge Wells (14 October 1915) and other miscellaneous papers.

Unrestricted

PP/MCR/291 Ms diary (20 volumes), covering the period September 1914-April 1919, written while serving as a Corporal with 1/4th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment (Kent Brigade, Home Counties Division until December 1914 when Division broken up), until 31st December 1916, and as a Sergeant with 1st King George's Own Sappers and Miners Royal Engineers in India, until February 1917, and Mesopotamia.