WWI Diaries: Detailed Records of 50th Brigade MGC Operations

World War one Diaries & documents - 50th Brigade machine gun Company, 1916-18: the hand-written diaries are the detailed operation records/reports belonging to the estate of the late William B. Martin of Ballarat, Victoria. Martin's name first appears in the diary entry for 14 February 1916: 'We were inspected by Major-General T.D. Pilcher C.B....He at once recognised an old friend in Mr W.B. Martin of the Northumberland Fusiliers, with whom he had served for 22 years.' by 1939 Martin was living in Ballarat. Tipped into the 1918 office book containing orders is a notice from the Noxious Weeds Inspector (Victoria) ordering Martin to clear blackberries from his Bennett Street, Ballarat property. The order is dated 10 August 1939. The diaries are a more detailed daily record of the Mgc's training in England and operations in France than the records of the 50th held in the war office records at Kew, in England. The diaries record personal information, and sardonic asides the war, not contained in the official records. For example, the entry for 25th January 1918 records the very active aeroplane activity as well as how a member of the Corps 'Full of conjugal enjoyment' returned 'Resplendent with pimples. He, obviously, for the last fourteen days has neglected the VIII Commandment.' over time the diaries become more systematic. They contain regular Intelligence and Operational Reports British and German artillery, enemy defences, aeroplane activity, etc. Accompanied by a detailed overview of the archive. An unique research opportunity, with such an extensive hoard rarely found in private hands.