Guest mat Posted 2 April , 2004 Share Posted 2 April , 2004 I am trying to locate the war diary of, and files in general for, 1/4 Bn., Oxford and Bucks, through the PRO website and, being somewhat cyber-inept, am having a difficult time. Does anyone have any advice to guide me through this, given that I cannot visit PRO in person? Also, having read the very helpful material on war diaries located on this site, how many pages might such a war diary contain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_Baker Posted 2 April , 2004 Share Posted 2 April , 2004 A quick lok on PROCAT (I searched on Buckinghamshire, WO95) shows that the 1/4th War Diary is in WO95/2764 (April 15 to October 17), and WO95/4251 (November 17 to March 19). War Diaries vary hugely in content. In some cases, a month or more can be covered on a single page. Single days of intense activity cover often several pages. In addition, quite often there are operation orders, maps, notes, etc added as appendices. I guess an average war diary consists of perhaps 200 pages of diary and could be half that again with added notes. But as I say, very varied. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenwoodman Posted 2 April , 2004 Share Posted 2 April , 2004 The one place you are almost certain to find the battalion war diary is at the NA-PRO, and the other place where there is a very good chance of locating it is the Ox & Bucks LI Archives. Regimental Archives are most often associated with the regimental museum. Contact details for the Ox & Bucks LI Regimental Museum:- Slade Park TA Barracks Headington Oxford Oxfordshire OX3 7JJ Region: South Tel: 01865 780128 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mat Posted 2 April , 2004 Share Posted 2 April , 2004 Terrifically hepful info from both of you! Thanks vey much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard_Lewis Posted 2 April , 2004 Share Posted 2 April , 2004 You can apply for an 'estimate' online with the NA - not used it recently but I gave them an officer file reference, paid a £10 deposit on the credit card - they then look at the file and price the job. I think if you order the £10 goes against the cost; if you don't I think it might be lost. For my purposes it worked very well but it wasn't a very big file. Weighed against a 400 mile round trip...good value. I would say though that there is no substitute for a personal visit, especially if the wallet will stretch to a few days on site. Bernard Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mat Posted 2 April , 2004 Share Posted 2 April , 2004 Thanks. I wish I could visit in person, but I 'm working from Canada, so it is not an option. I think an online estimate request may be a good start; then, based upon the length of the document and copying cost, I'll make some decisions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted 3 April , 2004 Share Posted 3 April , 2004 Have you tried typing the regiment into your address bar, I did this with The Royal Berkshire Regiment. On their site they have several war diaries. Others may have the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mat Posted 3 April , 2004 Share Posted 3 April , 2004 Thanks Christina, I have tried that, but the OBLI does not seem to be online. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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