Archie WIlls - My Life in the Army, Volume 01

The first of eight diaries written by Archie Wills during World War I. The diary covers the period of his training at Fort Macaulay and relocation to the Fort Work Barracks, both in Esquimalt, British Columbia. Wills writes of his decision to join the 5th Regiment, C.G.A, his anticipation of overseas service, camp life, and conditions during a blizzard at Fort Macaulay, the transition from office work to hard labour, guard duty, food rations, leisure and sports activities, and interactions with fellow soldiers and officers. The diary includes descriptions of military training and exercises, including instruction in artillery, signaling and trigonometry, shooting practice and rifle and bayonet drills, and horseback riding lessons. Wills’ diary illustrates the attitudes and activities of his fellow soldiers and records humorous dialogue, nicknames given to Fort Macaulay by the soldiers, comments on military hierarchy, and an account of a discussion about Canadian identity. At the Work Point Barracks, Wills writes about swearing in for overseas service (April 14, 1916), working in the orderly office, and his promotion to “Bombardier” (May 13, 1916). People mentioned include: Bill (William) White, Lieutenant Clearihue, Lieutenant Prior, Sergeant Major McDougall, Bill (William) Creach, Bill (William) Newton and George Lomas.

In Collection:

• Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
• World War One Photographs and Journals

Creator

• Wills, Archie H. (Archibald Henry), 1892-1988

Subject

• Recruiting and enlistment
• Soldiers--Health and hygiene
• World War (1914-1918)
• Canada. Canadian Army
• Military training camps
• Military education
• Soldiers--Conduct of life
• War diaries
• Soldiers
• Military camps
• Soldiers--Attitudes
• Soldiers--Social conditions
• Patriotism
• Soldiers' writings

Language

• eng

Date created

• February 1, 1916 to May 28, 1916

Resource type

• Text

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 1 volume (81 pages) ; 18 x 12 cm

Alternative title

• My Life in the Army, Volume 01
• Volume 1. My Life in the Army. By Archie H. Wills. Fort MacAuley Feb 1-May 28 1916.

Geographic coverage

• British Columbia--Esquimalt
• British Columbia--Fort MacAulay

Coordinates

• 50.4492, -125.9764
• 48.43569, -123.41174

Physical repository

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Collection

• World War One Photographs and Journals
• Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection

Provider

• University of Victoria (B.C.). Library

Genre

• manuscripts (documents)
• diaries

Archival item identifier

• Accession Number: 2005-036; Series: Autobiography; Sub-series: My Life in the Army; Archival Item Identifier: 3.11

Fonds title

• Archie H. Wills fonds

Fonds identifier

• AR394

Is referenced by

• Archival Finding Aid: https://uvic2.coppul.archivematica.org/archie-h-wills-fonds

Date digitized

• 2007

Technical note

• 400 dpi TIFF. Migration metadata by KD.

Rights

• This material may be protected by copyright. Use of this material is permitted for research and private study purposes only. For all other uses, contact University of Victoria Special Collections and University Archives.

DOI

•  https://doi.org/10.58066/7be9-s623

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