Archie Wills - My Life in the Army, Volume 04

The fourth of eight diaries written by Archie Wills during World War I. Describes Wills’ experience at Witley Camp as well as his training at Woolwich, both located in England between February and August 1917. Wills describes the daily life of the soldiers at the Witley training camp, which consisted of parades and field exercises. The men are trained in the use of gas helmets. The diary illustrates the hardships endured by the soldiers, such as the wet and cold weather, lack of baths due to broken pipes and freezing temperatures and insufficient rations. During their spare time the men explore the surrounding areas and socialize with the locals. By March 13th Wills and two of his friends begin the publication of their paper “O-Pip”, releasing the first volume in April 1917. By the end of June Wills begins a 6-week training course in Woolwich. He returns to Witley camp on August 13th 1917. People mentioned include: People: Goldie, James Alexander; Newton, William; Gisborne, Frederick; Arthur, Prince, Duke of Connaught, 1850-1942; Borden, Robert L., Sir, 1854-1937; Hughes, Garnet Burk; Wells; Cohen; McMillan, Evan; Yates, Bob; Waterson; “Pink”; Shaw, Forrest Other military personnel mentioned: Alex Goldie, Prior Hayman, Farley, Fred Gisborne - “Gipny”, Percy Matlin, Jim Frane (cook), Sir Robert Borden, Brigadier General Hughes Locals mentioned: Mrs. Kent, Mr. and Mrs. Sturgeon and their son Rex, Ms. Laura Peto; Smith girls; Mrs. Henderson in Hasleton; Lady Combe

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--Social conditions
• Soldiers' writings

Language

• eng

Date created

• February 10, 1917 to August 16, 1917

Resource type

• Text

Rights statement

• In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Extent

• 1 volume (127 pages) ; 13 x 8.5 cm

Alternative title

• My Life in the Army, Volume 04
• Volume 4..My Life in the Army. England. Feb.10,1917 Aug 16. Ready for France.

Geographic coverage

• England--Witley
• England
• England--London--Woolwich

Coordinates

• 51.491, 0.0648
• 52.16045, -0.70312
• 51.14993, -0.64768

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

• May 11, 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/nve7-xb35

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