Tommy’s War: A First World War Diary 1913–1918. Andrew Marr
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They went away about 10.15. Germans still getting killed in Belgium. I’m beginning to forget all who are fighting.
The United Kingdom parliament passed the Defence of the Realm Act on 8 August 1914, days after declaring war. This gave the government powers it believed it needed on the home front, such as the right to censor all communications and to requisition buildings or land. The Act also banned the public from flying kites or lighting bonfires (which might attract Zeppelins), buying binoculars (which could be used for spying), feeding bread to wild animals (which wasted food), discussing naval and military matters (which could benefit spies) or buying alcohol on public transport (which wasted resources). The Act also gave us British Summer Time, which was intended to boost wartime production. Pub opening hours in Scotland were restricted to from 12 noon to 2.30 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and all alcoholic drinks were produced at a lower strength, both to conserve food stocks and to reduce alcohol consumption.
Thursday, 13 August
Beautiful day. Very warm. We all went to Queen’s Park at night and heard the band. Britain declares war on Austria. Germans getting slaughtered in Belgium. Brilliant Belgian victory. Britannia still ruling the waves.
Friday, 14 August
All sorts of rumours about British soldiers killed and wounded. Food prices getting easier. The scare is over in that respect.
Sunday, 16 August
Brilliant summer day. Took a walk into town before dinner to get a ‘war special’. After, we all went to Queen’s Park and admired the scenery from the flag pole. After tea we all went to town and got another special. Some French and Belgian successes reported. The Big Battle is coming on. A few million men to fight extending 250 miles.51
Tuesday, 18 August
Beautiful day. Agnes staying in the wash-house in the forenoon. I helped her to fold some articles at night, then she washed the marble staircase.52 The British army has landed in France. Magnificent welcome.
Thursday, 20 August
Nice day. Very warm. Agnes and Tommy out at Ruglen in the afternoon. Lily not well. Getting no news from Belgium. War Office very reticent. Russian successes in Russia and Germany. We all went to the pictures at night.
Friday, 21 August
I did some joiner work to the kitchen table at night. I am putting an extra leaf on it. Brussels is taken by the heathen Germans.53 The Allies have some little game on, I think. Looks like a trap for Germany.
Thursday, 27 August
Nice day. Agnes bought a fancy pair of (the last part of this message is censored).54 Bloody fighting in Belgium.55 Enormous German losses.
Friday, 28 August
Dirty wet day. Germany seems top dog this week, but at a fearful cost. It is reported that they have 200,000 killed.
Sunday, 30 August
Up early this morning (7.20 a.m.), walked into the town in pouring rain to see the latest sad reading. British army badly cut up bearing the brunt of the fighting. Took a walk to Ruglen to see Lily. Disagreed with John’s socialistic views of the war. Father here at night. Agnes not well at all.
Thursday, 3 September
The new recruiting office in Cathcart Road seems to be doing business. About 10,000 men have enlisted in Glasgow for the war.
Friday, 4 September
Went out to the shop at night to see Sam and then we went to a recruiting office. Sam taking down figures and I watched the recruits having their eyes tested. Germans about 20 miles from Paris. Glasgow has enlisted 15,000 for ‘Kitchener’s Army’.56
Monday, 7 September
A naval action in the North Sea last week. We sunk nine destroyers and damaged seven. This is private information. It has never been published yet, and very few, in fact, nobody, about here knows.57
Wednesday, 9 September
Brilliant successes all along the Allied Line, about 180 miles in extent.58 Things are looking more hopeful.
Friday, 11 September
Nice bright day. Wholesale arrests of Germans in Scotland.
Saturday, 12 September
Hetty here in the afternoon. We all went out and saw Fancy Dress Parade in aid of War Fund.59
People were quick to volunteer for Army service. By late September 1914, some 2.25 million men had enlisted and 1.5 million were classified as being in reserved occupations. However, almost 40 per cent of all volunteers were found to be unfit for military service because of poor health.
Sunday, 13 September
Very cold, showery, windy day. Took my usual walk into town before breakfast.60
Monday, 14 September
Not feeling well at night. Bathed my feet and took something ‘hot’ and so to bed.
Tuesday, 15 September
Stayed in bed all day. Dead to the world. Not worth even half a German.
Tuesday, 22 September
Agnes doing some baking at night. Tommy still got a bad cough. Disaster in North Sea. Three British cruisers sunk by German submarines: HMS Aboukir, HMS Hogue, HMS Cressy.61
Wednesday, 23 September
Agnes out seeing Lily at night. I stayed in and watched the child. About 200 wounded British soldiers arrived at Stobhill Hospital last Monday.62 Some British aviators flew over Cologne and fried a Zeppelin shed.
Thursday, 24 September
Nice day. All the Cormacks (and the lodger) up at night. We had a musical evening.
Saturday, 26 September
Wee Lily here in the evening and went away about nine. Agnes not well at all. She fainted at night. Tommy got new shoes (4/6). Some more German colonies going under.
Sunday, 27 September
Very