Archie WIlls - My Life in the Army, Volume 06

The sixth of eight diaries written by Archie Wills during World War I. Wills describes his experiences at the front throughout 1918. The focus of the diary is on the day-to-day experiences of Wills at the battle front, moving through locations such as Bethune, Bracqueumort, Arras, Amiens, Etaples, Vimy Ridge, and finally to Belgium. Wills describes air activity involving attacks on airplanes and observation balloons, various gas attacks (sneezing gas), incendiary shells, bursting shrapnel and splinters, hauling ammunition, stand-to’s, raids, taking of prisoners and guns, houses have been leveled, narrow escapes, civilians killed by bomb, building shelters, frequent moving of positions, getting souvenirs from the “Heinies”, speaks of the horses who had been killed or had to be shot. The guns frequently brake down during battle. Throughout Wills also describes the living conditions at the front, such as freezing temperatures, snow storms and blizzards, relentlessly pouring rain, leaking pits, being drenched through, scorching heat and dust, inadequate rations and food such as bully belly, difficulty finding firewood, and not being able to bathe for weeks on end. The men frequently deal with sleep deprivation, and many of the soldiers suffer shell shock. On occasion, the men are able to acquire additional food, such as chicken dinners or roasts, fruit during the summer time, eggs and milk from local farmers. By the end of June 1918 (June 26th) many of the men fell ill with the Spanish Influenza, and Wills became ill on June 27th 1918. Wills describes the proclamation of armistice on November 11th 1918 in Belgium. By the end of November, Wills becomes ill and is still convalescing by December 29th 1918, when he departs from France to return to Canada. Some of the highlights during this time period two leaves which Wills took (to Paris in March, and to Scotland in September 1918); the infrequently arriving mail from home; working on “O-Pip”; occasional dances and outings to the local towns. On April 29th 1918 Wills was paroled to be sergeant, and on June 14th 1918 Wills was asked to take a commission.

In Collection:
Creator Subject Language Date created Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 1 volume (408 pages) ; 13.5 x 9.2 cm
Alternative title
  • My Life in the Army, Volume 06
  • Volume 6. My Life in the Army France...Jan.1, 1918 to Dec.31. Last Hundred Days. Armistice at Mons.
Geographic coverage Coordinates
  • 46, 2
Physical repository Collection
  • World War One Photographs and Journals
  • Victoria to Vimy First World War Collection
Provider Genre Archival item identifier
  • Accession Number: 2005-036; Series: Autobiography; Sub-series: My Life in the Army; Archival Item Identifier: 3.14
Fonds title Fonds identifier Is referenced by Date digitized
  • February 23, 2012
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

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