Diary of an Old Contemptible From Mons to Baghdad 1914-1919

Diary of an Old Contemptible From Mons to Baghdad 1914-1919

 

Edward Roe’s diary is a rare example of a professional private soldier’s account of the First World War in the early years in France, in Gallipoli, and finally the campaign in Mesopotamia, which is now modern day Iraq.
The ‘sleep-marching’ retreat from Mons is impressively described. When the BEF counter-attacked, Roe was in the midst of the crossing of the Marne and the BEF’s first experience of trench warfare after crossing the Aisne.
In October 1914, the 1st Battalion East Lancashire Regiment was transferred to the trench line known as Ploegsteert, or ‘Plugstreet’ at Armentieres. Roe gives a fascinating and detailed insight into the daily life of the infantryman in the line and at Xmas 1914 he describes the meetings in no-man’s-land and lists the ‘Unofficial truce’ to be observed by both sides. Finally in April 1915 the Lancashire is moved to Ypres and the bloody battlefield around Shell Trap Farm. Gas attacks, listening posts and German attacks are all detailed in the diary along with observation on the war and trench life. Wounded at Ypres, Roe was drafted to the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment in Gallipoli. He was one of the firing squad who executed a young soldier accused of twice being absent from his unit and was part of the rear-guard as the whole army re-embarked and evacuated Gallipoli. In February 1916, the battalion was sent to Mesopotamia to be part of 38 Brigade in the 13th Division of the Tigris Corps in an attempt to relieve General Townshend besieged in Kut. Again the daily diary and observations are fascinating as the Tigris Corps moves up the Tigris River. The attacks at El Hanna and Sannaiyat are detailed from the meeting of the order groups to the ‘dressing’ for the attack and the final advance itself. In November 1916 he was fit enough to be involved in the operations on the Hai forcing the Turks from their defensive positions around Kut. The Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force continued its advance to Baghdad with actions at Shumran Bend and crossing the Diyala River. Finally Baghdad is reached in March 1917. In between the action Roe writes of the countryside, the Arabs, the Seasons, humorous incidents and individuals within his unit. This very readable diary will be informative to any person with interest in the First World War and will be an excellent addition to any library.

 

Peter Downham

Hardcover with d/w 329pp Pen & Sword Military 2004 1st Ed

 

Fine/Fine

Book Code:  SH2087

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