A Manx Soldier's War Diary': transcription of diary of John McCauley
Date(s): 20th century
Creator(s): unknown
Scope & Content: McCauley describes his first sight of the 'devastation' of No-Man's Land containing human remains clad in German, French and British uniforms; the fear and nausea of that experience stayed with him throughout the war. Prior to joining up, he believed that it would be a glorious experience and worried that it would be over before he got to France. This opinion of war changed quickly as he observed the 'fluke of luck' between life and death. One of the worst hardships of early 1915 was the extreme cold. As his excitement for war abated, McCauley expressed his anger at the war, describing it as a 'blasted business that was rapidly consuming lives all around me'. He contested the often used phrase 'those who laid down their lives' claiming that it was 'mass murder' but it was the lack of its accountability that made war possible. He also noted that the Germans were a vastly superior force in terms of numbers and supplies and amunition in 1915. Between bombardments, soldiers exchanged banter between the trenches, and although it fell short of fraternizing with the enemy, a 'common understanding' existed. His brigade consisted of the Border Regiment, Grenadier Guards, Gordon Highlanders and the Scots Guards. The diary contains a vivid description of the death of a desserter which McCauley describes as 'cold blooded murder'. He describes the battle of Neuve Chapelle, in which he was shot through the knee, before joining a procession of 'maimed and mutilated' men making their way to the rear. Upon reaching hospital, it was decreed that he would be sent back to England for treatment. Despite his injury he was then drafted to the Dardanelles - he describes the conditions in the desert and the difference in war conditions with Belgium and France, such as the hidden enemy whilst guarding the Suez canal, the intense heat and the 'torture' of flies and mosquitos. Orders were then received that the regiment was to be transferred to the Somme.
Administration / Biographical History: John McCauley survived the First World War and was demobilized shortly after the Armistice.
Language: English
Extent: 1 file
Item name: transcribed diary
Collection: Manuscript Archive
Level: ITEM
ID number: MS 13187
Record class: Private
Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im