jainvince Posted 11 October , 2007 Share Posted 11 October , 2007 I have just been lent an autograph album containing many entries by soldiers who were recovering in Birch Hill Hospital Littleborough during the First World War. Its a fascinating collection of thoughts, jokes, rhymes and pictures plus the odd verse and cartoon. Will post a small selection for perusal. Bernard More Pages Final page Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asdarley Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 Keep them coming! These are fascinating! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 Thanks for sharing Bernard. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastermindmichel Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 This is absulutely brilliant stuff, Bernard P Please don't stop now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shellyj Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 Bernard How lucky you are to have sight of this. I echo everyone else - keep them coming. Would it be possible to add a list of those of who have signed the book to the forum incase there is anything from soldiers we are looking for/interested in? I'm sure people would be interested. Thanks for sharing Shellyj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 Thanks for sharing these pages Bernard, please can we see some more, cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 12 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2007 A couple more entries from the diaries. Will be scanning the rest in due course together with a supply of war postcards. Our local historical society will be displaying them at our exhibition at Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough from around 8th till 21st November 2007. The first is an ode to Scotland. Apologies for the colour but the original's pencil was rather faint. Hopefully, the second entry, (a saucy picture) will not offend unduly. Clearly, this 'Canadian' soldier had things other than recuperation on his mind and who can blame him. At this stage I have not checked if any of the soldiers covered in this post survived, a task to complete! If any pal has access to "Soldier of the great war" then we are interested to know more details. Bernard P PS don't longer too much on the picture! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pighills Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 Fascinating pictures and words. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 12 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 12 October , 2007 A thought for the weekend from July 1916 extracted from autograph book BernardP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveBrigg Posted 12 October , 2007 Share Posted 12 October , 2007 The poem above is an extract from Kipling's 'For All We Have And Are' "There is but one task for all — One life for each to give. What stands if Freedom fall? Who dies if England live? " Fascinating to see the different thoughts of these men. Thanks for posting the images. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
susanhemmings Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Bernard, thanks for sharing these poignant images and writings. They are in wonderful condition. Amazing to see what and how the chaps were thinking. Please post some more if you can. They are fascinating. Susan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryegate Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Bernard This is a fantastic album. How wonderful it still exists and in such good condition too. May we have more please? Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 13 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Every time I browse the Autograph Albums (2) I come across texts of great significance so here are two more for you to enjoy. Bernard PS posting these as a big thank you for all those pals who have helped me in my research into where the Littleborough soldiers were when they died in Belgium some 90 yars ago Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryegate Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Bernard Unfortunately, can't quite read the first one but how movingly touching the words on the second are! Gives me goosebumps! More and More please. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 13 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2007 For theose who cannot read the text of the autograph album it went as follows: To the tune of Tenesee I'm so hapy, I'm so happy, can you wonder why I was wounded in July since then I've been laid by There were lots of others, just like brothers They got woundered too But I can tell you we were glad, we've had enough to do ................................................... And to dear old Lancashire Our thoughts they wandered there, We thought of mother's dear And dear freinds in Lancashire All we could think of that night Was a bed of snowy white Nurse's singling teacups jingling All the world seem bright The shells were bursting high The bullets flying by To us they brought no fear We knew the time was near When we'ed be entraining And on a big ship soon be sailing To dear old Brighty, to dear old Blighty To dear old Angletaire ITS TRUE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nittenman Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 These are terrific Bernard. Each page very interesting and fascinating. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dorisj7 Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Bernard: Just want to add my thanks for posting these entries. They are wonderful and in such great condition. This is what really helps keep the soldiers in your thoughts and memories. We all look forward to more. Doris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 13 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Bernard: Just want to add my thanks for posting these entries. They are wonderful and in such great condition. This is what really helps keep the soldiers in your thoughts and memories. We all look forward to more. Doris Interesting is the fact that two of the posts are from Canadian Soldiers. Not sure what they thought of North West England but it would definitely rank higher than France or Belgium! Belgium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Barbara Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Thank you for putting them up, its a privilege to be able to read them.... Barbara.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelPack Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Superb material! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 13 October , 2007 Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Great stuff, Bernard Anyone prepared to do some research on what became of the various authors? cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 13 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 13 October , 2007 Great stuff, Bernard Anyone prepared to do some research on what became of the various authors? cheers Martin B Martin B Did have a quick look on the CWGC site and didn't find them there but of course some of the names were very popular and time didn't permit a full search. Of those checked in detail none were found on the site. However, other sources maybe able to pin down the soldier. Bernard P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 14 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 14 October , 2007 Part of the aim of our researches is to Remember and commemorate those who paid the ultimate price. From the enclosed extracts Remembrance was clearly on the minds of soldiers recovering in Brirch Hill Hospital. I have there posted them for perusal. Again, the quality of the scan is a little poor as the pen/pencil words are rather faint. Bernard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryegate Posted 14 October , 2007 Share Posted 14 October , 2007 Bernard These bring tears to my eyes! Poor, poor men. How could we not remember what they did for us and what an absolute treasure you have the honour to hold. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jainvince Posted 14 October , 2007 Author Share Posted 14 October , 2007 Sorry if the clarity of the previous two posts is poor but it doesn't help having to make the poor original of a smaller size. For the next post, can someone provide a translation? I am assuming its OK so apologies if it isn't! Bernard P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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