Second Hand Original Illustrated First World War Memoir and Archive – Royal Fusiliers, Western Front and Army of Occupation, 1914–1919

A substantial unpublished First World War memoir and personal archive relating to T. Gerard Davidson, documenting his progression from volunteer fusilier to major between 1914 and 1919.

Retained in a large period card portfolio inscribed "Davidson (T. Gerard) Memoir 1914-18." The principal typescript is headed "Memoirs of the Great War 1914-1919" and extends to at least 160 numbered pages in the material examined.

A manuscript introduction describes the work as "A Memoir of the War 1914-1919," recording Davidson's experiences "from Fusilier to Major." It covers the outbreak of war, enlistment and training, Western Front service during 1916-18 and service with the Army of Occupation at the Cologne bridgehead in 1919.

The memoir was compiled from Davidson's correspondence with his wife, official reports and daily work submitted to Battalion Headquarters, notes supplied by fellow officers, maps and operational orders. Photographs and supporting material remain incorporated into the archive.

The opening chapter describes the outbreak of war and Davidson's attempts to enlist. He records joining the 1st Sportsman's Battalion on 4 October 1914 and claims to have been its first recruit. This formation became the 23rd (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. An associated document bears a Sportsman's Battalion, Royal Fusiliers stamp and records a recruit as having been recruited by T. G. Davidson.

Among the photographs is a military portrait inscribed "Lieut. T. G. Davidson, 13th Worcester Regt, 1915." Other photographs show groups of officers and men, accommodation or training interiors, camp activities, battlefield scenes and destroyed positions. One group photograph is annotated "1st Sportsmen," with Davidson and others identified. Another is captioned "Spring Cleaning - 1st Sportsman's Battn., March 1916."

The memoir is arranged into chapters, with photographs, postcards and documentary material mounted beside the narrative. Contemporary postcard views show ruined villages, churches and buildings in France and Belgium, many with manuscript captions and notes.

Of particular interest is a folded, hand-annotated operational map bearing tactical markings in different inks, including roads, positions, unit references and directions. The memoir refers to an "actual operation map," indicating it was retained as supporting evidence.

The narrative covers enlistment, training, commissioned service, Western Front operations, battlefield conditions, unit organisation, tactical planning, the final fighting of 1918 and the post-war occupation of Germany. Page 160 discusses fighting around the Ypres Salient and Passchendaele, with two battlefield photographs dated July 1917.

The combination of first-person narrative, photographs, postcards, documentary material, annotations and an operational map makes this more than a conventional typescript memoir.

The sheets show age toning, wear, creasing, spotting and marking, with tears and losses. Typescript remains legible. Manuscript additions appear throughout. Mounted material shows wear and cracking. The map is worn and creased. The portfolio is damaged. Contents are not fully collated and completeness cannot be guaranteed.

An extensive and highly personal First World War memoir and archive, offering research interest concerning the Sportsman's Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, Davidson's commissioned service and the Western Front.