Second Hand Original First World War Carbon Typescript Diary – Commanding Officer, 169th Brigade Royal Field Artillery, 31st Division – Battle of the Somme 1916

A significant First World War carbon typescript diary relating to the 169th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, 31st Division. Approximately 83 pages, covering 28 April 1916 to 17 January 1917.

The manuscript records the daily experiences of the officer commanding the 169th Brigade R.F.A. on the Western Front. The diarist's identity has not been established with certainty and is offered as an unidentified commanding officer, without attribution.

The diary is notable for first-hand coverage of the Battle of the Somme, including preparations, artillery positions, bombardments, wire cutting, observation posts, target registration, infantry liaison, casualties and the opening attack of 1 July 1916.

The material comprises at least two sections. An introductory portion titled "Notes on Line Held by 31st Division. April-July, 1916" describes the sector, trench system and battlefield geography, including Serre, the Quadrilateral, John Copse, Mark Copse, Luke Copse and Matthew Copse.

The main section, "Part II. 169th Brigade, R.F.A. / 31st Division," is a daily diary from 28 April 1916, recording visits to batteries and observation posts, inspections, conferences, artillery planning, ammunition, shelling, casualties, administration and gun positions.

Unlike a formal war diary, it includes personal details such as journeys, meals, accommodation, horses, leave, weather and candid assessments of operations and colleagues.

Entries for 1 July 1916 are of particular interest. On 30 June the diarist expresses concern about the attack and criticises artillery preparation and wire cutting. The entry for "Z Day" describes the 31st Division's assault on Serre, heavy German fire, destruction of attacking waves and uncertainty over progress, with observations from an artillery post.

The diary continues to 17 January 1917, covering artillery organisation, counter-battery work, casualties, transport, leave, senior visits and battery reorganisation.

One page includes a marginal note on the diarist's predecessor, stating he was relieved as inefficient or a danger. Other annotations and corrections appear throughout.

The typescript is in a plain card folder marked "31st Divl Arty 1916" and accompanied by a later research sheet titled "31st Divisional Artillery on the Somme 1916."

The sheets show toning, wear, spotting, creases, tears, losses, fastening holes and staining. Carbon impressions vary, with some faint passages though mostly legible. The folder is heavily worn and split. Contents are not fully collated and completeness cannot be guaranteed. Please study photographs; only representative pages are shown.

An important First World War artillery diary with first-hand material on the preparations for and opening of the Battle of the Somme.