Document

Diary compiled in 1916 by Percy Hugh Beverley Lyon, then a Second Lieutenant in 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (6 DLI) of the first three months of the battalion’s service abroad. The diary is illustrated with photographs taken by Lyon, despite the use of cameras having been banned by the army. The diary begins with 6 DLI getting ready to leave Newcastle for France. As one of the territorial units, 6 DLI arrived in France and within days found themselves in Belgium fighting in the Second Battle of Ypres.

The diary has been transcribed by Durham at War volunteers and edited for some spellings and punctuation. You can read some extracts below or download the whole transcript.

‘… it was at last announced that we were to leave for France on April 19th. After a long period of intensive training over familiar ground, after weeks of waiting, enlivened only by rumours and counter – rumours, which had reduced us all to a state of passive incredulity, the official news came as a tremendous relief. The last days were spent in an orgy of packing; the inevitable abandonment of many cherished articles. To conform to the minimum of 35 lbs per officer occupied much thought and many searchings of heart.’

[23 April]
‘For me it was the first of many almost sleepless nights. By now the guns sounded unpleasantly loud, and the star shells fired from the trenches all round the Ypres Salient seemed very close; we had by now heard some details of the gas attack, which did not help to relieve the general depression.’

‘At length, on May 2nd 1915, at 10.30pm we marched back through Ypres to some huts close to Brielen. Our first week of campaigning was over, and we had lost, killed, wounded and sick, 16 officers and about 300 rank and file.’

[18-23 May 1915]
‘I have vague recollections of receiving the cavalry major’s congratulations on our work, drinking a large cup of Oxo, and then strolling back after my platoon, aroused halfway over from my lethargy by some quite creditable long distance shots at me from a homing sniper. Then I scrambled into the trench, undressed, scraped the worst mud off with a tin opener (the only sharp article handy) put out my clothes to dry in a most blessed sun, and fell asleep, with the most lurid threats to anyone who should attempt to wake me.’

‘On June 18th 1915 comes the news that we are to move to trenches in the Kemmel area. The next morning we move back to our huts, where the Brigade is collected. The next day we are to march south; the hearts of us all are a little lighter at the thought of moving away from the ill-fated salient.’

Date: April-June 1915, compiled 1916

Author: Lyon, Percy Hugh Beverley

Reference: D/DLI 7/424/2

Where to find this: Durham County Record Office

Contributed by Sue T | Ollie | Durham County Record Office