Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 3, 2023 10:39:09 GMT 12
This is interesting, from the New Zealand Herald, dated the 11th of May 1936:
KING'S WAR DIARY
GIFT TO MUSEUM
EXPERIENCES IN FRANCE
INSTRUCTIONS FROM FATHER
TREATMENT LIKE OTHERS
Accounts of King Edward's war experiences in France when he was Prince of Wales are contained in diaries and documents which have been presented by His Majesty to the Imperial War Museum.
King Edward went to France as aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Sir John French in November, 1914. He remained there until March, 1916, when he was appointed staff captain at the headquarters of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
One of the documents gives a striking indication of King George's desire that his son should be treated as an ordinary officer. It is a letter addressed to the commanding officer of the Grenadier Guards, and is dated August 8, 1914, immediately after King Edward had received his commission in the battalion. It reads: —
" Exactly Like Others "
"I have the honour to convey to you His Majesty's commands which are as follows: That no honours or salutes to which the Prince of Wales is entitled as Prince of Wales should be rendered to His Royal Highness by the battalion in which he is serving, or by any brigade to which his battalion may belong. The King's wish is that the Prince of Wales should be treated exactly as any other officers of the battalion."
The letter was signed by Lieut.-Colonel William Carington, Keeper of the Privy Purse.
The diaries and documents are contained in a small wooden box fastened only with a brass hook and eye. Among other interesting papers in the collection is a tiny crimson note-book which bears in gold lettering on the cover the words, " Field Report Book." It is similar to that issued to officers during the war.
The entries are made in the King's neat, small handwriting, in pencil. Although they were written over 20 years ago, most of the words are easily decipherable. The first entry, which is dated June, 1914, apparently refers to the King's participation in Oxford University O.T.C. manoeuvres at Aldershot. Before the next entry, war had been declared. Under the date August 14, 1914, are the words: " Left at 9.45 for Great Warley."
First Entry In France
Then on page 4 is the revelation that the writer had arrived in France. The first entry after he had landed read:
"November 18, 1914. Cassel Meteren Mont Noir. Bailleul Gen. Pawlinson (4th corps). Nieppe lunch 1.0.0. Scots Greys at farm. Nieppe bathing installation at brewery. 9.2 in. howitzer and 6in. gun. Clearing hospital at Bailleul. Back here at 6.30 walking from Arques. Weather fine and bright, warm."
Other entries, undated, under the beading, "1st Army," read:—
"6.30: Gas started 5.50; moving well, but slowly, accurate but not heavy shelling 8 Div. in trenches. 6.45: Gas and smoke effective with 1st and corps French at Givenchy taken. 7.53: Air report states smoke extends three miles back. 8.0: Prisoner states only 7 corps and 6 Bav. R. Div. in reserve. Complete surprise (undecipherable) crossed front line but obscured by smoke, advance slow as it hangs. 2nd Div. success at Givenchy Meurit taken 120 prisoners.
"24: Railhead Lillers. 25: Ferpay Noeux les Mines. Div. moved up into area vacated by 21st Div. with its head at Noeux and tail at Labaissiere. Not in till 2.0.0. Refilled at Bubrose. 26: Div. moved up in afternoon to front lines. Artillery moved up to 1st Battalion area. Train moved to Noeux after refilling at Maillecourt. 4th Corps 6.30 "
Drawing of Soldier
Among other papers are secret documents relating to the ships of the Royal Navy before and during the war. They are "enclosed in an envelope bearing the autograph of Mr. Winston Churchill, who was the First Lord of the Admiralty.
There is also an envelope with the words, "Piece of envelope Airship L15, Which landed in the Thames April 1, 1915, having been damaged by gunfire." The fragment is enclosed.
The museum has also 300 war maps used by the King when Prince of Wales. Some of these bear names of places written by him in script handwriting. On one map there is a small drawing in pencil of a British infantryman wearing a tin helmet. It is believed to have been drawn by the present King.
There are also two beautifully bound volumes presented to the King, when Prince of Wales, by the Italian Army headquarters. One contains some wonderful photographs of Italian war scenes. The other consists of magnificent relief maps of the war areas in which the Italian armies were engaged.
No decision has been reached whether these documents will be shown to the public when the museum opens next July. If it is decided to exhibit them they will probably be displayed in a glass case.
KING'S WAR DIARY
GIFT TO MUSEUM
EXPERIENCES IN FRANCE
INSTRUCTIONS FROM FATHER
TREATMENT LIKE OTHERS
Accounts of King Edward's war experiences in France when he was Prince of Wales are contained in diaries and documents which have been presented by His Majesty to the Imperial War Museum.
King Edward went to France as aide-de-camp to Field Marshal Sir John French in November, 1914. He remained there until March, 1916, when he was appointed staff captain at the headquarters of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force.
One of the documents gives a striking indication of King George's desire that his son should be treated as an ordinary officer. It is a letter addressed to the commanding officer of the Grenadier Guards, and is dated August 8, 1914, immediately after King Edward had received his commission in the battalion. It reads: —
" Exactly Like Others "
"I have the honour to convey to you His Majesty's commands which are as follows: That no honours or salutes to which the Prince of Wales is entitled as Prince of Wales should be rendered to His Royal Highness by the battalion in which he is serving, or by any brigade to which his battalion may belong. The King's wish is that the Prince of Wales should be treated exactly as any other officers of the battalion."
The letter was signed by Lieut.-Colonel William Carington, Keeper of the Privy Purse.
The diaries and documents are contained in a small wooden box fastened only with a brass hook and eye. Among other interesting papers in the collection is a tiny crimson note-book which bears in gold lettering on the cover the words, " Field Report Book." It is similar to that issued to officers during the war.
The entries are made in the King's neat, small handwriting, in pencil. Although they were written over 20 years ago, most of the words are easily decipherable. The first entry, which is dated June, 1914, apparently refers to the King's participation in Oxford University O.T.C. manoeuvres at Aldershot. Before the next entry, war had been declared. Under the date August 14, 1914, are the words: " Left at 9.45 for Great Warley."
First Entry In France
Then on page 4 is the revelation that the writer had arrived in France. The first entry after he had landed read:
"November 18, 1914. Cassel Meteren Mont Noir. Bailleul Gen. Pawlinson (4th corps). Nieppe lunch 1.0.0. Scots Greys at farm. Nieppe bathing installation at brewery. 9.2 in. howitzer and 6in. gun. Clearing hospital at Bailleul. Back here at 6.30 walking from Arques. Weather fine and bright, warm."
Other entries, undated, under the beading, "1st Army," read:—
"6.30: Gas started 5.50; moving well, but slowly, accurate but not heavy shelling 8 Div. in trenches. 6.45: Gas and smoke effective with 1st and corps French at Givenchy taken. 7.53: Air report states smoke extends three miles back. 8.0: Prisoner states only 7 corps and 6 Bav. R. Div. in reserve. Complete surprise (undecipherable) crossed front line but obscured by smoke, advance slow as it hangs. 2nd Div. success at Givenchy Meurit taken 120 prisoners.
"24: Railhead Lillers. 25: Ferpay Noeux les Mines. Div. moved up into area vacated by 21st Div. with its head at Noeux and tail at Labaissiere. Not in till 2.0.0. Refilled at Bubrose. 26: Div. moved up in afternoon to front lines. Artillery moved up to 1st Battalion area. Train moved to Noeux after refilling at Maillecourt. 4th Corps 6.30 "
Drawing of Soldier
Among other papers are secret documents relating to the ships of the Royal Navy before and during the war. They are "enclosed in an envelope bearing the autograph of Mr. Winston Churchill, who was the First Lord of the Admiralty.
There is also an envelope with the words, "Piece of envelope Airship L15, Which landed in the Thames April 1, 1915, having been damaged by gunfire." The fragment is enclosed.
The museum has also 300 war maps used by the King when Prince of Wales. Some of these bear names of places written by him in script handwriting. On one map there is a small drawing in pencil of a British infantryman wearing a tin helmet. It is believed to have been drawn by the present King.
There are also two beautifully bound volumes presented to the King, when Prince of Wales, by the Italian Army headquarters. One contains some wonderful photographs of Italian war scenes. The other consists of magnificent relief maps of the war areas in which the Italian armies were engaged.
No decision has been reached whether these documents will be shown to the public when the museum opens next July. If it is decided to exhibit them they will probably be displayed in a glass case.
