Tommy’s War: A First World War Diary 1913–1918. Andrew Marr

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СКАЧАТЬ Tuesday, 7 July

      Lovely day. Got away from my work at 10 a.m. as we have a royal visit today. Agnes met me with the boy so we hied us to Parliamentary Road and saw the King and Queen and the Princess Mary. We took off our hat and went on our way duly elevated. After tea I went myself to Cathkin Braes and saw a glorious sunset. Met an old school mate (Tom Davidson) there and we came down to Ruglen together. Home 10.30.

       Thursday, 9 July

      ‘There is many a married-looking man who is only worried.’

       Monday, 13 July

      Agnes and Tommy away to Lamlash today, so I met them at Central Station and put them on the 12.40 train to Ardrossan.⁴³

       Thursday, 16 July

      Got a P. C. from my spouse letting me know when she would be home. The ‘Society’ man here at night. He took some of my hard-earned money with him.⁴⁴

      In late July 1914, a severe diplomatic dispute between Serbia and Austro-Hungary was threatening to boil over into war. Austro-Hungary was demanding that Serbia hand over the leaders of the Black Hand Gang, who had killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914. On 28 July the two countries went to war. The conflict rapidly escalated, with Russia agreeing to defend Serbia if it was attacked by Austria, and Germany in turn threatening to attack Russia if it intervened in Austria.

       Sunday, 26 July

      Gun running in Dublin today. Mob knocked up against the military (KOSB). Three killed, about 80 injured.⁴⁵

       Monday, 27 July

      War clouds in Europe.

       Tuesday, 28 July

      Austria and Servia at war now.⁴⁶ Things looking bad.

       Wednesday, 29 July

      Belgrade, capital of Servia, bombarded by the Austrians. Things getting worse and worse.

       Thursday, 30 July

      Agnes made jam and put it in jars. Russia mobilising. Things very grave indeed in Europe.

       Friday, 31 July

      Tommy got a bath tonight. All the stock exchanges closed now. Bank rate up to 8%. Germany in a state of war. All Europe mobilising. Things are very bad.

       Saturday, 1 August

      Fine day. We went to Queen’s Park in the afternoon and at night we went round by the boating pond, Aitken Head Collieries, and Mount Florida and took the car home. Bank rate up to 10% today. Germany has sent an ultimatum to Russia and France.

       Sunday, 2 August

      Very wet forenoon. Very heavy rain. Took a walk into town in the afternoon to see the latest war news.⁴⁷ Germany has declared war on Russia. Russia has crossed into Austria. Germany has crossed the French frontier. Our government considering today whether to fight or not. Royal Naval Reserves mobilised. The war of the world. We wonder what tomorrow will bring forth.

       Monday, 3 August

      I went to Sam’s shop at night and brought home half a stone of flour at 1/-. We are doing a bit of speculation in the provision way owing to the war. Agnes got a stone of sugar at two and a half pence per pound. Sugar selling today at 4d. Unprecedented scenes. Bank holiday extended three days extra. Germany, France, Austria, Russia, Servia all at war. British army and fleet mobilised. Germany warned by Britain. The climax is approaching.

       Tuesday, 4 August

      Provisions getting dearer every day. Serious times ahead. Germany declares war on Belgium. Official declaration of war with France and Germany. Britain sends ultimatum to Germany. The King has called out the Territorials. Government has taken over the railways. Germany has appealed to Italy. Every paper is now a ‘war speshull’.⁴⁸

       Wednesday, 5 August

      Town full of Territorials. Getting ready for our country’s defence. Britain declared war on Germany last night at 11 p.m. Now fighting: Britain, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium, Servia and Russia. The biggest war in the world’s history.

       Thursday, 6 August

      Took a run into Sam’s shop at night to talk over the ‘war news’. All sorts of rumours are going about. The soldiers are lifting horses all over the town.⁴⁹

       Friday, 7 August

      Germans have lost 25,000 men at Liège and have asked for a 24 hours armistice. Wild rumours going about. Seems to be a great naval battle in the North Sea. Austria and Russia formally at war now. We indeed live in stirring times. A month ago I would have said impossible.

       Saturday, 8 August

      Went to the Stirling’s Library in the afternoon for a book. Liège still holds out against Germans. Armistice refused. French have invaded Alsace-Lorraine. Britain has taken two German colonies. No fight yet in the North Sea. Portugal and Montenegro are reported at war with Germany. Italy still neutral. A nightmare of a war.

       Sunday, 9 August

      Tommy three years old today. Went into town in forenoon and got a war paper. After dinner we all went to Queen’s Park and heard the band playing where the Territorials are quartered in Coplaw Street.⁵⁰ After tea we all went into town and got another paper. Wild fighting in Alsace-Lorraine. Germans routed.

       Tuesday, 11 August

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