Lady algernon gordon lennox's ww1 diary

Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox’s WWI diary

1st February 1915 to 6th September 1916

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Copyright Š The Harley Foundation 2014.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission in writing of the publisher.

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Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5 Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox’s Family Tree……………………………………………………………………………………………….6 The Diary…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………7 Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..123

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Introduction Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox was the mother-in-law of the 7 th Duke of Portland, owner of The Welbeck Estate.

During World War One, she ran the 13th Stationary Hospital near Boulogne. Lady Algernon was close friends with politicians, diplomats and royalty. The diary spans from 1st February 1915, when Lady Algernon was already running the Hospital, to 6th September 1916 - ending with the birth of her granddaughter, Lady Anne Cavendish Bentinck.

Lady Algernon’s diary juxtaposes her records of the war with a personal, family narrative. From the horrors of battle and the wounded tended in her hospital, to the joy of her daughter’s wedding, this intensely personal narrative provides a unique insight into her experience of World War One.

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Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox’s Family Tree

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The Diary

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British Embassy, Paris Feb: 1st./15 Six months of the Great War have passed.

French & English facing each other from the Sea to Switzerland. Line Nieuport Dixmude - Ypres. La Bassée – Arras – Noyon.

Soissons – Craonne – St. Mihiel – Nancy – Aspach.

Feeling here, one of confidence that the French lines will not be pierced. Reported today that all food-stuffs in Germany taken over by the Govt. Probability that Roumania will come in shortly. Italy at a later day on the side of the Allies.

Attitude of Bulgaria uncertain. Turks reported withdrawing from Sinai Peninsula. German Submarine has torpedoed 5 merchant vessels off Havre, & in the Irish Channel.

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Feb: 2nd. 1915 Mr. Lloyd George , Lord Cunliffe (Govr. of Bank of England) & Mr. S. Montagu , who arrived in Paris last night lunched here today: they have come to meet Mr. Bark Russian Finance Minister & M. Ribot (French) to discuss financial position of Allies. Lloyd George expressed opinion Germany has considerable food supplies sufficient for her to carry on the war longer than is thought. An English Army Corps is probably to be sent to Salonika to help Greece in attacking Turkey.

S. Montagu has succeeded Masterman as Chancellor of the Duchy [of Lancaster], & enters the Cabinet. Submarine has attempted unsuccessfully to torpedo the Hospital Ship “Asturias” off Havre! Practically certain Roumania & Italy have decided to come in.

Steamer “Dacia” has sailed from America with cotton cargo.

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Feb: 3rd. 1915 F.[rancis] B.[ertie] lunched with Lloyd George at Ministry of Finance: later took him to the Elysée.

Summary of interview as follows: An understanding to be come to for bringing in Balkan States. England to send 2 divisions & cavalry via Salonika. Greece can put 200,000 in the field. Rumania 500,000. Servia 200,000: this would compel Bulgaria to act with Allies in attacking Turkey & Austro-Germans.

Joffre opposed to depleting Franco-Anglo line in any way, as he intends, & thinks successfully to pierce the German lines as soon as the weather improves – possibly within 3 weeks.

Sir J. French has been persuaded by W. Churchill to allow the 2 divisions to be taken from him. Opposition on the part of Millerand . It is suggested Roumania should be asked by Greece whether she would decide to come in at once in the event of such a force being despatched. Kitchener thinks 2,000,000 Germans are facing the Anglo-French lines – Joffre does not agree.

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Feb 4th. /15 A spring day: the privet hedges in the garden in bud. Sir Arthur Sloggett & Bobby Black lunched here. F. B. attended déjeuner at Elysée with Lloyd George. Drove to Longchamps & Auteuil this afternoon both race-courses like ploughed fields after having been filled with cattle & sheep in August & Sept. Many trees cut down, giving a direct outlook over the country round Paris.

Sir Arthur came from Hd. Qrs. last night says a big German attack round Ypres is expected within 3 weeks, but Joffre, French & Foch are confident of holding the line. Great German casualties during fighting last week & 2 companies of our Guards taken prisoners.

Sir Archibald Murray gone home & Robertson succeeds as Chief of Staff – Maxwell Qr. Master General.

Lloyd George & Briand dined: the

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latter very agreable[sic], & a good talker.

Said amongst other interesting things that in French Military circles, the big German Howitzer, so much talked of is not believed to exist: it was certainly never used on any of the French fortresses: Briand is of opinion that it is bluff.

French Army according to Briand 1,400,000 with a reserve of 1,800,000.

Feb 5th. 15 Secret instructions from Admiralty to Merchant vessels against sub-marine attacks proved by the intercepted Wireless to be known to the Germans: they have proclaimed as from the 18th inst. a state of war against all Merchant Shipping whether Neutral or not. American opinion likely to be very much influenced in consequence. Percy writes that Pr. Yusupoff , who has been conferring decorations from the Czar at the front says the Russians will be in Berlin by May! Qui vivre verra!

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Feb. 6th. 15 Decision at Council Meeting on Feb: 4th.

French Govnt. accept in principle suggestion that an army Corps should be despatched to Salonica to assist Servia. Of opinion it should consist of one British & one French division.

They cannot, in their judgment be spared during next 3 weeks as a German attack is anticipated to take place during that period, but they think that preparations should be made at once so that the 2 divisions could be sent the moment they can be spared. As long as Lord Kitchener sends the promised 4 divisions to France, then the French have no objection to his sending an Army Corps to Salonica at once, although they would prefer to be represented in the Expeditionary Force if Joffre can spare troops for the purpose.

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Feb. 8th. /15 Dr. Dillon lunched. F. B. & I went this afternoon to the Invalides where General Noix had arranged a private view for me of the German trophies.

He is arranging one of the salles as a Musée of objects connected with the war, pictures and drawings representing all types of soldiers engaged; German shells in their wicker-baskets, officer’s swords, uniforms etc. The flags of which there are 8 are hung in the Chapel.

In the court-yard are almost 50 of the German 77 m.m. gun which has proved so inferior to the famous French “75”, also a Taube aeroplane captured near Verdun. Re-visited Napoleon’s Tomb & the Gallery of Armour where amongst other things I was interested to see the reproduction of the famous “Chaufrein” given to the King of Spain when he was last here which caused a certain ill-feeling: it was reproduced by Christofle : the Chaufrein completed the suit at Madrid.

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Feb: 9th./15 Went to Gennevilliers this afternoon to see the British Motor Repairing Works, which are established at the Gas-works. Major Godfrey A.S.C. showed F. B. & me first the works themselves & then the “cripples” from the front – such a medley, from Waring & Gillow vans to London taxis, which most of them looked only fit for the scrap-heap but which return to the front almost as good as new. There are about 500 mechanics at work, who enlisted from different motor works at the beginning of the war: they get 6/a day and all found. I also looked in at the Y.M.C.A. Recreation room which has just been erected & is in charge of Miss Goring: evidently much appreciated by the men.

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Feb 10th./15 Mr Waugh, who was left in charge of the Embassy at Constantinople when Louis Mallet left, arrived from there 2 days ago. He gave interesting details of feeling there. The far-seeing Turks are beginning to realise they have made a mistake in joining the Germans.

The Goeben has been considerably damaged but not as much as the papers say.

He thinks the lives of British, French & Russians are in considerable danger: should the Fleet force the Dardanelles, & bombard the German Embassy, Wangenheim, the Ambassador says he has made arrangements to blow up those of England & Russia!

The Egyptian Expedition is doomed to failure.

The “Lusitania� arrived at Liverpool having hoisted the American flag owing to the German threat of torpedoing British Shipping.

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Feb: 11th./15 Returned to Boulogne by train via Beauvais & Eu. 7 hours.

Trains via Amiens commenced running today. Found letters from Ivy saying she cannot rejoin me, as she has to go into waiting .

Feb 12th./15 Found many changes at the Hospital.

All the Red X nurses have left for an enteric Hospital near St. Omer.

The wards very full.

Feb 14th./15 My birthday! What will the next Anniversary bring forth?

Cynthia Graham is here, her boy having been dangerously wounded last week in the head. He is at 7 Stationary under Mr. Sergeant & doing well. Capt Penn called at the Hospital today, & gave me 2 pieces of stained glass from the Ruins of Ypres Cathedral !

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Feb: 15th.

Billy Beckwith looked in at the Hospital on his way back to the front, also Surgeon General Macpherson whom I had not seen since his son was Killed 2 months ago: he is in charge of the A.M.S. of the 1st. Army (Douglas Haig’s) I hear Sir John told the King last week that he would have the Germans beaten in 3 months! Is it possible?

The men in hospital all agree that those in the fighting line are quite a different type to those they met at the beginning. Many of them are dis-inclined to fight, & throw letters into our trenches to this effect.

The Russians are retreating from East Prussia, in face of strong reinforcements sent to Von Hindenburg, but this may be for strategic purposes. Two American notes have been sent, one to Germany protesting against their interference

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with neutral shipping by sub-marines which is strongly worded, the other to England deprecating our using the American flag, although they recognise it as a “ruse de guerre” on occasions.

A nice story comes from Sir Edward Goschen the Austrian Emperor who is semi-childish sleeps almost continually: one day he woke up & said “So we are having a big war: I suppose we are fighting diese verdamte Preussen” & went to sleep again.

Feb:20th.

The Russians have had a Nasty Knock in East Prussia .

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Feb 22nd.

Bobby Black came down from Hd. Qrs. on his way home on leave: the 28th. division made a poor showing two days ago; we took over some trenches evacuated by the French without having found the range: the Germans attacked & 4 regiments threw down their rifles & ran with the result the Germans occupied the trenches & are holding them: complete demoralisation seems to have prevailed .

Feb: 25th.

Sir Arthur & his son came down this evening, the latter being invalided home with synovitis . I lunched on the “Grianaig� with Dunraven today: she is used as a Hospital ship – not very suitable for winter work.

The blockade is so far doing very little damage: they tried on Monday evening to torpedo the mail boat but it passed almost 30 yards in front

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of her. The officers & men going on leave now travel by special military boat, but all leave is stopped after March 1st. Jack Sloggett left for England, & Sir Arthur returns to St. Omer.

I had a charming letter from Sir John French about work at No. 13 Stationary, & he ends with the comforting sentence “I am not one of those who think this will be a very long war.”

Feb 26th.

Frank Mildmay paid me a visit at the Hospital this evening en route for England, on leave.

Algy enclosed letter from George Warrender in which he refers to the “Audacious” having been refloated: she was sunk by a mine in October, but it may be that it is a new ship which will bear her name. The forts at the entrance of the Dardanelles are

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being bombarded by Anglo-French fleet – including the new “Queen Elizabeth” with 15 in. guns.

Feb 28 Bombardment of Dardanelles proceeding favourably: forts reduced at the entrance, & mines swept for 4 miles the Russians have again resumed the offensive, & recaptured Przasnysz .

March 6th.

Sir Arthur came down from H. Q. this evening: fight is expected this week & all beds to be cleared as an advance is to be attempted.

Louis Mallet lunched - March 7th.

Sir Arthur left for Paris & Nice to settle difficulties at the Cimiez Home for Officers .

March 8th.

Mrs. Popplewell & her daughter & the Matron from the Australian Hospital

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came to see the Hospital this afternoon.

Miss Mc.Carthy looked in this evening & later Louis Mallet, who is here on Red X business.

March 11th.

Hospital very full this morning: we took Neuve-Chapelle yesterday 1000 German prisoners, officers & some guns: so far no knowledge as to extent of our casualties .

I go to London this afternoon for 4 or 5 days.

30 Wilton Crescent.

March 13th.

Considerable difficulty about pass-ports as all have now to be renewed.

Journey otherwise comfortable & no submarines visible! Our casualties up to last night said to amount to 5,000. I went to Buckingham Palace to see the King: he told me 900,000 Russians are now waiting for rifles which shows how important a question is the forcing of the Dardanelles.

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I afterwards saw the Queen & sat with her for sometime answering many questions, as to the medical & nursing conditions in France: promised to send a full list of requirements for Hospital clothing during the summer months.

Sunday March 14th.

Saw Smikie this afternoon, the first time since her dear Kitty’s death from Meningitis. Fighting has been very heavy & the casualties in the Grenadiers terribly so: 6 officers killed & 6 wounded: heard from Matron the Hospital is crowded.

Monday 15th.

Saw Queen Alexandra this afternoon at M.[arlborough] H.[ouse] Shopping for Hospital.

March 16th.

Returned to Boulogne, & found the Hospital still crowded, but evacuating all the time.

March 17th.

Bobby Black came down from Hd. Qrs.

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Our total casualties 15,886! & over 700 officers. Bad luck, owing to fog coming down, prevented our taking the ridge behind Neuve Chapelle which would have commanded open ground to Lille.

Under the concentrated English & French artillery fire, nothing could live, but we are terribly short of ammunition, & yet strikes are the order of the day at home.

The evacuation of the wounded has been a triumph 11,000 having passed through Boulogne to England. The moral effect of the advance has been excellent.

Laurence Drummond passed through on his way to spend a week with Putty & the 3rd Army . There are rumours of blunders, & reports that Generals are being sent home, but one cannot attach too much importance to these.

March 20th.

The attack on the inner forts of the Dardanelles has cost us 2 ships

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the Ocean and Irresistible from floating mines. Crews luckily saved: the French ship “Gaulois� went down from same cause, but only 64 survivors.

The attack continues.

March 23rd.

Premyzl has fallen after 4 months siege, which should now clear the way to Cracow. Laurence D.[rummond] came back from Bailleul & lunched with me: all are in good spirits at the front, & notwithstanding the heavy casualties, the effect of the recent fighting on the men has been excellent. It has been demonstrated that the effect of the artillery we now have at the front is absolutely demoralising to the Germans; nothing can live: but alas! Ammunition is lacking, which appears criminal .

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March 25th.

The Garrison of Premysle[sic] appears to have amounted to 120,000 men .

March 29th.

Sir Arthur & Bobby Black arrived from St. O.[mer] this evening: in conversation with Sir A.[rthur] I gather the evacuation of wounded last week after Neuve Chapelle was carried out too quickly, the lines of communications having lost their heads. Sir Bertrand dined.

Tuesday 30th.

We drove out to Hardelot this afternoon where Lady Gifford is in charge of the Nurse’s Convalescent Home which the Red X have established in Princess Louise’s house lent by her for the purpose: it is charming with

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accommodation for 16 nurses; the Hardelot pine woods are charming, & becoming carpeted with Daffodils. Joe Lawley dined.

Wed: 31st.

Anniversary of J. P. M.’s death .

Had a bad heart-attack this morning so must keep quiet.

Ap: 4th. Easter-Sunday Sir Arthur & Bobby arrived this evening en route to London. Sir Courtauld Thomson dined: he has been here as Commissioner to Red X, & has done admirable work in setting things to rights: he is now ousted by the Ctee who have appointed Joe Lawley.

Wednesday 7th Geordie arrived from La Panne on Monday night, where he has been attached to the Belgian mission: he slept here & left for London yesterday. Pelly lunched with me

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today en route back to G. H. Q. He was very interesting as he always is – one the best talkers I know.

Sir John French has asked me to go to H. Q. on Sunday next, which gives me infinite pleasure.

Saturday 10th.

The French are fighting with extraordinary gallantry on the Eastern frontier: the wedge which the Germans drove in at St. Mihiel last Sept: is now being threatened by the French having captured Eparges which dominates the Woevre : the Germans have built a strategic railway from Thiancourt to St. Mihiel & this is the objective. The Russians also are doing well in the Carpathians & hold nearly all the Passes.

Sunday 11th.

Guy arrived in Sir John’s own car – the Rolls-Royce which he sent round to K. P. G. in London for me

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to see the day before he left England.

It took 1¼ hours to drive to St. Omer.

Such a lovely day, & the view perfectly wonderful, right away to the Mont des Cats & Calais.

We went first to No. 4 Stationary Hospital, which has been running through the winter as a Convalescent Home in a large Jute factory: the scheme is an excellent one, 1000 patients can be treated at the same time – rested, bathed re-clothed, & most of them returned to duty: the greatest number was 900 on Xmas Day. Lt. Col Bate is the O/C. From there to Head Quarters, where I spent 1¾ hours with Sir John. An unpretentious house in the Main Street – a quiet enough one of a sleepy little town with a couple of sentries only to indicate that the brains of the British Army have their lodging

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here. I go with Sir John into his own room. Maps everywhere: a quiet peaceful room looking into a small courtyard with espalier fruit trees trained against the walls. A sentry paces to & fro.

Sir John has not aged, only his hair is whiter, but there is a look in his face which was not there before. I can only describe it as – eyes that have seen things & certain lines about the mouth telling of things accomplished, & a fixed determination. Our talk is deeply interesting: he tells me of his difficulty about ammunition: that the promise of shells has not been kept by those at home, & that all that was intended was not accomplished at Neuve Chapelle because of this. His relations with Kitchener are now more amicable but he is having trouble with Joffre

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who wishes the British Army to be entirely under his direction which was never intended, & which Sir John will not agree to. He spoke with intense admiration of General Foch, now commanding the armies of the North - & also of what the Russians are accomplishing. He does not believe the war will last beyond this year: information has come that the German army is having reduced rations, & also reliable news as to the lack of copper, & inferiority of shells now being made. His account of Joffre’s strategy, when he produced the Army from behind Paris was most interesting, and still more so the story of Ypres during the crucial days at the end of October: he told me of the night when Smith Dorrien came to him at 3 a.m.

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saying he could not hold out another day if the Germans attacked again: he was almost off his head.

French told him, he had sent him his last man, & not one other was available, but advised him to remember that the Germans also might be at their last gasp & so it proved: they did not attack again! His admiration for Douglas Haig’s work is unstinted throughout the whole campaign.

Smith Dorrien has been a failure, Rawlinson also would have been sent home after Neuve Chapelle if Haig had not pleaded for him to be given a second chance.

French’s opinion is that Neuve Chapelle was well worth the sacrifices, not only as valuable ground gained, but as proving what massed artillery can do.

The Bois de Biez could have been

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taken had Rawlinson carried out his instructions, but he delayed too long. He is delighted with Sir William Robertson’s work as Chief of the Staff, he having taken Sir A. Murray’s place who was useless, & has gone home. Wilson would have had it, but owing to the part he played in the Ulster difficulty a year ago Asquith begged he might not be appointed. Sir John is not happy about the Dardanelles, which was a coup of Winston Churchill’s & ought not to have been carried out, till the land forces were available: he also deprecates any troops being diverted from the western theatre, which must be the deciding factor in the war. I gather he does not think Germany will be so beaten to her knees or that we shall

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go to Berlin, but he does think the Russians should be in Silesia by July – with Cracow in their possession, & that Germany will then awake to the fact that they are being deceived.

It was a wonderful experience to sit talking calmly & confidentially to the man who holds the destinies of England in his hands – a quiet earnest figure in khaki, with always the far-away look in the eyes which remains in one’s memory of him: something to remember for all time, & as I drove homewards wrapped in a Field-Marshal’s fur coat, in the twilight of a cloudless sky, a wonderful peace seemed to settle over land & sea, & war with all the misery & suffering it entails seemed for a brief space to be obliterated.

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Monday 12th.

Colonel Norrington has been promoted to No. 14 General (Wimereux) & Col. Butler takes over 13 Stationary.

Thursday 15th.

Sir Arthur & Bobby returned from England & stay till Saturday.

Sunday 18th.

Jack Morgan passed through on his way to England from Paris: I went over to the Boat to see him: he tells me America will turn out enough ammunition to kill every living German. Public opinion over there is now overwhelmingly with us.

Monday 19th.

Heavy fighting has taken place south of Ypres: it started Saturday night, when we mined & captured what is known as Hill 60, dominating the country N. & N. E. Casualties up

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to last night 880 & 18 officers killed. The Hospital filled & cleared twice. Regiments who suffered most were the K.[ings] O.[wn] S.[cottish] B. [orderers] & West Kents. The attack was well planned & carried out.

British Embassy – Wednesday 21st.

Bobby Black came down from G. H. Q. this morning to take me to Paris by motor. We started at 10.45.

Abbeville 12.30, Beauvais 3 o’c.

Here we went into the glorious Cathedral which I was so glad to see again. Mass was being said & it was ineffably peaceful & satisfied the feeling of longing to look once more on something beautiful.

Reached Paris at 5.30. A lovely day, & all the trees & hedges bursting into life. The Vere Berties here but leave tomorrow for a motor tour with Lord Murray.

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Thursday 22nd.

Interesting developments are taking place. Italy after offering herself to the highest bidder is coming in with the Allies. The announcement to be made between now & May 12th.

She is to receive as her price Trentino, Cis-Alpine Tyrol (Bremer) Trieste; all Istria as far as the Quarnero including Volosca & the Istrian Islands: Dalmatia as far as the River Narevta [sic] southward, peninsula of Sabbioncello & all the islands lying to N. & W. of Dalmatia, Vallona [sic] with island of Saseno, & sufficient territory for their defence to be made over in full sovereignty to Italy from the Voyutza to N. & E. & as far as Chorica to the S. Italy would then not oppose division of N. & S. Albania between Montenegro, Greece & Servia, on condition that the coast beginning with & inclusive of Bocche di Cattaro as far as the

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mouth of the Voyutza and from Chorica to Cape Slytos to be neutralized.

Port of Durazzo to be assigned to an independent Musselman State of Central Albania. Dodecanese Islands at present occupied by Italy to remain in her possession. If Asiatic Turkey is dismembered Italy to obtain the Adalia zone. A military agreement defining the minimum force which Russia must keep employed against Austria to prevent her concentrating all her efforts against Italy: their terms have been practically accepted

by Allies, excessive though they are – She has not played a beau role.

This agreement is secret & known only to Imperiali, Cambon, Benckendorff & Grey besides F. B. Russia has been giving a great deal of trouble & has threatened to remain only on the defensive if her requirements are not fulfilled: these are as follows

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Constantinople & the Straits with territory to the Enos-Midia line on the European side, & a strip on the Asiatic, power to fortify the straits, the Islands in the Sea of Marmora, the Dardanelles & and the Islands of Imbros and Tenedos. Sazonow threatened to resign unless agreement on these lines reached – Sir E. Grey appears to have been very weak, as original demands of Russia were only free access to Mediterranean – & it makes one very anxious, as to the future with Russia dominating the Baghdad Railway. French are to have Syria and Alexandretta!

For England remains apparently only a Protectorate over Egypt!

Friday. 23rd.

Bobby & I went yesterday afternoon to hear Marthe Chenal sing the “Marseillaise” at the Opera Comique – one of the most moving & inspiring performances it is possible to imagine – she is a

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beautiful woman & comes down the stage between a row of “piou-pious” clasping the Standard – the second verse sung almost in a whisper.

The whole house rose at her –

Saturday 24th.

Left Paris this morning at 10.30 by motor, & reached Boulogne at 7.

Bobby & I were greeted by a letter from Sir Arthur giving us news, which was not pleasant.

The Germans attacked the French on our left, using a poisonous gas, which was let loose from pipe-lines, & also in shells : the French troops could not face it, & retreated leaving our left flank exposed . Ypres was being heavily shelled also Popperinghe [sic], & the wounded being evacuated to Hazebrouck.

The Germans advanced about 3 miles, & crossed the Yser

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taking the village of Lizerne on this side.

Sunday 25th.

Bobby left for Hd. Qrs., & sent me word that the Canadians had saved the situation yesterday: they fought magnificently when they found themselves left “en l’air” retreating, fighting all the time until the line was re-adjusted again; their casualties are very heavy: the French counter-attacked, & won back some lost ground.

Monday 26th.

The French have advanced further & the Germans now only hold a bridge-head across the Yzer[sic]: but the Ypres Salient is now much more difficult to hold.

Some of the gas cases have arrived at the Hospital: one Canadian was a piteous object – livid in

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colour, & with all the signs of asphyxiation: curiously enough his feet are also affected being a purple red colour which is interesting the medical world. A landing was effected yesterday on the Gallipoli peninsula by the troops we have sent, under cover of the fleet: General Ian Hamilton is in command: the French under General d’Amade have landed on the Asiatic coast of the Dardanelles: there have been heavy casualties.

Thursday 29th.

Fighting continues to the N. E. & N. of Ypres. The Germans have had enormous losses, & continue using the poisonous gas: let us hope we shall do the same .

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Saturday 1st. May. Bobby came down from G. H. Q. this afternoon: he says optimism still reigns notwithstanding all this fighting: the French are contemplating attacking further down the line.

Sunday 2nd.

Ivy returned from London at mid-day.

Bobby Ward brought her over with him.

Tuesday 4th.

Very tired, obliged to take a day or two of rest.

Friday 7th.

Bobby looked in this afternoon: his news from G. H. Q. is that the French are undoubtedly concentrating a very large force in the Arras region, & that an attack by them in that region is expected: if so we should probably act in concert – probably the 1st. Army.

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Saturday 8th.

News of the “Lusitania” being torpedoed by a sub-marine off Kinsale yesterday: only about 700 survivors so far accounted for out of a total of over 2000 . The German Embassy in Washington issued warnings in the Press to Americans to cancel their passages, but in view of her great speed a submarine attack was thought impossible. She sank in about 30 minutes, as far as is known at present. There is an outburst of rage in America, & it remains to be seen what action they will now take. This is the crowning of all the dastardly acts of Germany, & ought to arouse people in England from their lethargy.

Sunday 9th.

Ivy & I motored to Etaples this morning to see the site for a Nurse’s Rest Club, to be established

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on the new Hospitals Site where there will eventually be about 10,000 beds – in huts & under canvas. Saw Colonel Carr the A.D.M.S [Etaples] & Col: Mc.Munn.

A hut is to be provided by the War Office. Lady Ponsonby met us there: she & Ivy are both on Princess Victoria’s Committee for the establishment of these Clubs in various Hospital Centres.

A chorus of horror in the newspapers today at the sinking of the Lusitania. Berlin & Vienna have been making frantic efforts to prevent Italy joining the Allies as she has agreed to do, and announcing great victories over the Russians in Galicia: the latter have been obliged to retreat to a certain extent, but the Petrograd version gives no cause for alarm. So far the survivors

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from the “Lusitania” have not increased over yesterday’s figures.

Monday 10th.

The Hospital full this morning – Heavy fighting is in progress: the 1st Army apparently acting in concert with the French who are attacking near Lens, & the 1st Army near Festubert : so far no details except that the French have taken 2000 prisoners and the attack continues.

Tuesday 11th.

Millie arrived this evening from Dunkirk, where shelling has been going on from a gun situated about 15 to 20 miles distant.

She is obliged to evacuate her Hospital & is moving to Bourbourg about 10 miles this side of Dunkirk.

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Thursday 13th.

Sir Arthur & Bobby arrived in time for lunch, the latter going straight on to Rouen where Ivy & I follow tomorrow, to inspect the Nurses’ Club just established there.

Friday 14th. Hotel de la Poste Rouen Left Boulogne about 11.30 by motor – lunched at Abbeville where we got the papers announcing a big French success, Carrency [sic] having been taken. The road to Rouen after leaving Abbeville is lovely passing though huge woods, & everywhere the fruit trees are in blossom. Found Bobby here: a very good hotel. Sir Ernest Worthington the D. D. M. S. here dined with us.

Saturday 15th.

Went early to the Cathedral, & then to the Palais de Justice: I had not been here for 12 years.

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This afternoon to 11 Stationary Hospital under canvas, to which is attached the Scottish Red Cross Hospital – afterwards to No. 6 General Hospital in huts – quite charming. Miss Reid the Senior Matron such a nice woman.

Ivy & I went back to the Cathedral this evening where Mass was just ending.

Sunday 15th.

A glorious day: left Rouen at 10.30 lunched at Blangy [-sur-Bresle] & reached Boulogne at 5. Found a note from Millie, who left for England today Alistair having been wounded but thank God only slightly. Ivy saw him at 7 Stationary this evening.

The Household Cavalry, 10th. & Leicestershire Yeomanry.

Monday 16th.

The Lincolnshires arrived today as poor Wendover in the Blues was wounded last Thursday: his arm was amputated

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this evening. Julian Grenfell also wounded in the head & operated on

by Sergeant [Sargent]: Desboroughs are here.

The 1st Army made a successful attack yesterday near Festubert.

Tuesday 17th.

Wendover died this morning from shock. Poor Lincolnshires!

The Russians have had a bad set back to the line of the San , & have had to retreat from the Carpathians.

Friday 20th.

Italian Chamber gives a free hand to the Govt. for prosecution of war with Austria.

Monday 23rd.

Italy declares war on Austria!

Wednesday 25th.

Poor Julian Grenfell had to be operated on again, & there is little hope.

Thursday 26th.

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Julian is dead .

Friday 27th.

We have lost H. M. S. “Triumph” torpedoed off Gallipoli peninsula.

I went to Julian’s funeral in the Cemetery here: it was wonderful to see Ettie’s calm: these are sad days.

Saturday 28th.

The “Majestic” has also been torpedoed off Gallipoli – very little loss of life in either ship.

May 31st.

The French have been fighting very successfully during the past days in the Arras sector around Souchez: they have taken the whole village of Ablain [-Saint-Nazaire].

Italy has invaded the Trentino successfully.

June 1st.

I have taken a place called “Les Masurettes” just outside Boulogne

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for the summer, as the heat in this house would be unbearable.

There is a nice garden & woods.

Monday 6th.

Mr. Asquith went to 13 Stationary but not till 6 oc’ when we had left: he went round the wards – Sloggett & Bobby came to lunch today also Sonnie : Bobby takes me to Paris tomorrow for a rest at the Embassy, as I am tired out.

British Embassy, Paris June 7th.

Bobby & I came up by train this morning. Long tiring journey.

Very hot, & the Chantilly woods looking too lovely. The Veres here still.

June 8th.

Millerand has sent the Chief of his Military Cabinet to London to ask Kitchener to send another 200,000 men to France, which he refused as all are required for the Dardanelles!

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What mistaken policy when every man & gun is required on this front where the victory must eventually rest. The French are fighting magnificently still, in the neighbourhood of Souchez & the Labyrinth .

Sunday 13th. [no entry follows]

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Thursday 17th.

Heard tonight that poor young Warneford was killed today at the Buc Aerodrome, whilst he was trying a new machine accompanied by an American journalist: it is too tragic.

Bobby arrived this evening, & we leave by motor on Saturday.

Saturday 19th.

Returned to Boulogne by motor today: Bobby went on to G. H. Q.

Monday 21st.

We moved to “Les Mesurettes” today – delightful to be out of the noise & heat of Boulogne.

Wednesday 23rd.

Algy went up to G. H. Q. today.

Thursday 24th.

Sonnie came down to spend the day here & after dinner he & Ivy gave me the joyful news that they are engaged to each other.

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It did not come altogether as a surprise, but I am over-joyed: he is one in a thousand and she will be ideally happy.

Sunday 27th.

We have had wonderful telegrams from the Portlands, who are as pleased as we are.

Thursday July 1st.

Ivy & I went to Camiers & Etaples today to see about the Nurses Clubs. Portland & Winnie want the marriage announced at once, have received charming letters from the King & Queen.

Friday 2nd.

The French Service de SautĂŠ, equivalent to the D. G. of the R. A. M. C. with various surgeons & doctors who have been staying at G. H. Q. came round the Hospital this evening, & were much impressed by what they saw.

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Monday July 5th.

Sonnie came down this evening & we go to England tomorrow.

Sir Arthur was to have spent Sunday here, but is very bad with Influenza.

London. Tuesday 6th.

Were met at Victoria by Portland, Lina & Hilda. Went to Grosvenor Square where a radiant welcome was given to Ivy: everyone is overjoyed.

Welbeck Wednesday 7th.

Came down here this afternoon to spend the week of Sonnie’s leave. Portland & Winnie have given Ivy a lovely rope of pearls which they bought at Christie’s today: it belonged to a family near here who have inherited the place, & are leaving for Canada.

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Sunday 11th.

Have had a long talk today with Portland about the date of marriage, & they seem to think that instead of waiting till the war is over, they should be married in November .

There will be an immense amount of legal work, as the properties have to be re-entailed. Col: FitzGerald here for Sunday having been with Kitchener to the meeting at Calais of Joffre, French, Asquith, A. Balfour etc. I gather that it is virtually agreed to postpone a great advance till the spring owing to our lack of Munitions . The Russians continue their retreat owing to the same cause .

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Sonnie returned to Flanders today.

July 30th.

Sonnie arrived in London today having strained his riding muscle badly which necessitates rest for about a fortnight.

July 31st.

Algy & Ivy went to Welbeck.

I am remaining here to get three days rest in bed.

Welbeck

Aug 2nd.

Was rung up this morning with the suggestion the marriage should take place before Sonnie’s return to France: came down here to discuss matters, & we have fixed on Thursday 12th.: it breaks my heart to part from her so soon , but on the other hand should anything happen to

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Sonnie, as is always possible in this awful war, they would have the right to reproach me so I must not oppose it. The wedding will be here in the Chapel quite quietly, which will be infinitely preferable to a London wedding.

Aug 3rd.

Returned to London this morning to start getting a few things together for Ivy’s trousseau.

Here one is almost forgetting the war with so much that is personal to fill one’s thoughts. The Russians have been able to make no stand but so far the Retreat is orderly.

Aug: 4th.

Warsaw has fallen.

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Sat: 7th./15

Welbeck Have come down to spend a quiet Sunday after a tiring week of shopping & lawyers.

Portland is being most generous giving the children £6000 p.a. for the next 3 years – then £10,000 & when Sonnie is 35 £15,000 – also the power to raise £30000 for the purchase of a house etc. Queen Alexandra & Pss. Victoria are coming for the wedding, & the Archbishop of York marries them.

Tuesday 10th.

Returned to Welbeck from London this evening having finished things.

Wednesday 11th.

This evening arrived the Queen & Pss. Victoria, Charlotte , Lord Howe & Sir A. Davidson , March &

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Lina, Helen & George , Muriel Beckwith Alice Mildmay & Mildred Lothbinière , Soveral , J.W. Dallas Yorke , Laszlo , Elizabeth Kenmare , Maudie Warrender , B. Carr . Elizalex is of course here, & Charlie Bentinck’s girls with her little Resy, & Julian Morrell are to be bridesmaids.

Ottoline & Philip Morrell also here – Laszlo has painted a wonderful picture of Ivy which Portland has given to A[lgy] & me: it is dear of him. I think my heart is breaking, but I try so hard not to think of myself & my own loneliness: the radiant happiness of the Children is all that matters.

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Thursday 12th.

The sun shone on Ivy’s wedding day, God bless her! The service in the Chapel was beautiful beyond words: Maudie sang as she alone can sing the Anthem.

Ivy looked a picture in her plain satin dress with lace given her by Mamma , & the small lace veil in which I was married. The Archbishop’s address was too wonderful in its simplicity & touching words.

The Register was signed in the Library , & then the tenants heads of dept. etc came in to shake hands. Afterwards luncheon & then photographs taken. At 3 oc’ my darling left with her husband looking radiant in her little mauve frock & hat; they went to

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Cuckney – the Willoughby’s house – 3 miles away. Then the guests left & finally the Queen & Pss. Victoria – At 5 our children came back to tea, & played a round of golf with Algy, & then I drove them back to Cuckney & left them there. The page is turned down & the volume closed: I thank God again, as I did in the Chapel last night for having given me such a child, & for giving her such a husband.

But oh! the emptiness of the days beyond!

Tuesday 17th.

Returned to Boulogne.

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September 23rd.

During the past month my diary has been a blank. I have not had the energy to think of it.

Much has happened. A mis-managed landing at Suvla Bay in Gallipoli on Aug 6-10th. caused the re-call of General Stopford, & General Byng was sent direct from Flanders to re-place him. Sonnie had to leave hurriedly at the end of August to re-join him there.

During all August, & up to date Russia has lost Ivangorod, Kovno Novo Georgiewsk, Brest-Litowsk & Grodno, all her frontier fortresses, but the retreat of the Armies has been carried out in a marvellously orderly way & they are intact.

Vilna fell on the 18th. & they were in grave peril of being surrounded.

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The “Great Retreat� which began with the Battle of the [River] Dunajec on May 3rd., seems at length to have come to an end, & the German forces to a standstill.

The Tsar has assumed command & the Gd. Duke Nicholas has been appointed Commander-in-Chief in the Caucasus. An intense bombardment is proceeding in France along the whole line & an advance is imminent.

I have been to Langwell for a week to see Ivy & return to Boulogne immediately.

Sept 26th.

The Great Allied Advance began yesterday: we captured Hulluch & Loos, the French have taken Souchez, & are pressing on in Champagne.

Sept 27th.

Returned to Boulogne: fighting

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is still going on successfully: the French have made big gains up to the German second line in Champagne.

Sept 29th.

The French have reached the crests of Vimy, & our combined captures total 140 guns, & almost 30,000 prisoners. The casualties are very heavy, but a large percentage of slightly wounded cases.

October 1st.

Serious news has come from Bulgaria where German officers have been arriving. Bulgaria mobilised on Sept 19th. & it is clear that she intends to join Germany & Austria in their attack on Servia. Our advance has temporarily slackened & Sir John French’s Order of the Day sums up the results gained –

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Oct. 4th.

Russia has delivered an Ultimatum to Bulgaria.

Oct 5th.

An allied force landed at Salonika to assist Serbia at the invitation of Venizelos but the King [Constantine I of Greece] – a thorough Boche – informs him that he does not approve his policy, & for the second time this year Venizelos resigns.

Oct: 7th.

The invasion of Serbia has begun & the Danube been crossed

by Mackeusen’s Army .

Oct 9th.

Belgrade has been taken by the Austro-Germans. The French have been fighting gallantly in Champagne, & have secured important results, but I gather that the success was not so

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great as had been hoped for: still the Germans would have hailed it as a great victory!

We have been moving the Hospital into its new quarters on the cliff just outside the town: it is a hutted Hospital & will be very good when we get settled down but it is sad to leave the sheds where such good work has been done: they were however needed by the French for storage purposes: No. 13 Stationary opened there on October 20th. 1914, when the wounded from the first battle of Ypres were beginning to pour into Boulogne, & there in the erstwhile Sugar Sheds one has for the past year lived amidst scenes of sorrow & suffering, which will be for ever written in one’s memory.

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Friday 15th.

Ivy passed through today on her way to Cairo to join Sonnie who has gone there on leave having had dysentery. I met her at the boat this evening & sat with her for an hour until the P. & O. Express started: she had made up her mind in 24 hours & came right south from Langwell joining the “Persia� tomorrow at Marseilles. Laferne was travelling with her to please Portland: they both stay with the Ronald Grahams in Cairo.

Bulgaria is at war with Serbia.

October 18th.

Sir Ian Hamilton has been recalled from the Dardanelles & Monro has gone from here to replace him.

Sir Edward Carson resigned from the Cabinet today.

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October 28th.

The French & Serbians have been putting up a good fight against the Bulgarians, but it is a forlorn hope. The Austro-Germans are making steady head-way: the French Ministry has resigned, & Briand takes the place of Viviani as Premier & Minister for Foreign Affairs & General Gallieni succeeds Millerand as War Minister. There has been constant fighting all through the month in Champagne the French succeeding in taking more positions.

Ivy arrived safely at Cairo on the 20th.

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Nov. 18th .

Hotel Crillon - Paris.

I left Boulogne yesterday in the Car to come here for a rest, as I am very tired. Bobby came with me – we stayed at Beauvais last night so as not to get into Paris after dark. Got here in time for lunch F. B. came to see me.

Asquith, Lloyd George, Grey, Balfour with Sir W. Robertson & Sir Henry Jackson have been in Paris for 2 nights, the first of a series of meetings between the two Governments.

Russia & Italy will send representatives later. Kitchener left for Salonika & Gallipoli 10 days ago to study the question on the spot: Asquith has taken over the War Office.

Winston Churchill resigned last week, because he was not included in the War Council, & rejoined the D. Hussars yesterday.

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The position in the Near East is threatening. Serbia is being over-run by Austro-Germans & Bulgars. The French expedition arrived, but ours as usual too late! The subjects under discussion at the Meetings were What is the position in face of increasing Greek hostility as to the security of troops at Salonika.

What is to be the fate of Gallipoli?

It was decided that at all hazards Salonika must be held: that pressure should be put on Greece to ensure her neutrality & the promise not to disarm or intern Allied troops.

To await Kitchener’s appreciation of the position at the Dardanelles – munitions & guns are already passing via the Danube to the Turks, & with Heavy Artillery Gallipoli must surely become untenable.

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Our policy of drift & muddle has landed us in a mess! but we shall win through notwithstanding: Asquith told F. B. that there is much criticism of Sir John in England, & a movement for his recall which I devoutly hope may not succeed. The Ministers left this morning.

I am going to bed for a week.

Nov: 20th.

We have informed Greece that unless we receive guarantees we shall be obliged to declare a blockade. The King [Constantine I] is firmly convinced that Germany will win, & having ousted Venizelos is practically ruling as a despot.

Nov: 23rd The feeling about Greece is rather more hopeful.

The Servians have had a slight

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success against the Bulgars & Russia is now doing better: The danger to Riga & Dvinsk seems over. A secret-service report recently showed that Germany is getting short of men, & that the food question is becoming acute. We are trying to persuade China to declare war on Germany, & thus eject all Germans & cancel concessions to them: this would do away with the German propaganda in Asia & also India, which is a serious menace.

Ivy cables from Cairo that Sonnie goes back this week to the Dardanelles.

Sunday 28th.

F. B. heard today from the Military AttachĂŠ that French has been told to send in his resignation: Lord Esher was the intermediary: after

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the calumnies of the past 6 months the intriguers have got their way, & the country asked to forget what it owes him for the Retreat from Mons, & the first battle for Ypres!

The information given by General Caldwell D. M. O. to F. B. is that Kitchener’s days are numbered, that during his absence discoveries have been made of reports suppressed or doctored, & general confusion in every dept of the War Office.

During his absence opportunity has been taken to put the “pattern� dept. of the shell making under the Munitions Office: this Kitchener had insisted in keeping in this own hands with the result that we have not learnt by the experience dearly bought by the French & have had many burst guns. Kitchener arrives tomorrow on his way home.

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Monday 29th.

Kitchener was received by the President on his arrival & subsequently saw Briand & later Gallieni. The impression he brings back is that Gallipoli must be evacuated except by a small force at Cape Hellas: that Salonika should be held as a tête de pont, & he, K. thinks this can be done with 60,000 men: the French think double that number – The King evidently humbugged K! To evacuate Salonika would be dangerous for us, as a submarine base.

Kitchener’s idea is that to defend Egypt it will be necessary to land a force at Alexandretta.

The fact is there is no man who has a remote idea of a definite plan – God help us!

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Tuesday Nov: 30th.

K. left last night for Dunkirk Boulogne & Calais being closed for mines.

Wed: Dec 1st.

News has come privately that on K.’s return he insisted on Sir John being re-instated!

Friday Dec: 3rd.

I had to go to bed on Wednesday night with a bad chill, & high temperature. A new & dramatic turn of events. Kitchener has completely altered his views expressed here, & now says he will resign unless our troops are withdrawn from Salonika!

A hurried conference is being summoned at Calais tomorrow to be attended by K. Asquith & A. Balfour, Briand, Gallieni, Joffre & Lacaze . Joffre has been appointed to the Supreme

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command of all the French Armies: until now he had been Commander-in-Chief du Nord-Est: it is rumoured that Castelnau will get command of those Armies, & General Pétain of the Armies of the Centre resigned

by Castelnau. It is too soon yet to know whether this is really an advantage, there being rumours that Gallieni & Joffre do not get on too well. Kitchener seems to have done great harm with the King of Greece, not taking the only possible one [sic] – brutal firmness!

Saturday Dec 4th.

Still in bed – high temperature.

I feel sure that Ivy will remain on in Cairo especially as Suvla is to be evacuated, Byng may very likely go to Egypt or Syria. Servia has practically ceased to exist: almost half the army

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has retreated into Albania.

Monastir has been evacuated & secret information from Sir Francis Elliott at Athens says the Greek flag has been hoisted: no doubt Tino’s share of the booty!

We have been fooled all through!

We have had no settled policy, but have lived from hand to mouth & always arrived too late.

Italy has tardily signed the agreement come to over a year ago that none of the Allies would make peace before the other.

She has however never declared war on Germany, & one wonders why? One theory is that Italian Ministers are too deeply involved in German commercial undertakings!!

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Sunday Dec: 5th.

Pelly came to see me this afternoon.

He is with Sir Archibald Murray (Chief of the General Staff) & attended the conference yesterday at Calais: this morning they have been at Chantilly where the first of Allied Military Councils was held. At Calais yesterday Kitchener again changed his points of view! & his resignation is deferred!

The General Staff in London are all in favour of evacuation both of Salonika & Gallipoli. Kitchener foresees an attack in force on Egypt. Pelly tells me that Kitchener’s position at the W. O. is absolutely gone, & their one hope is that he may take himself off to the East.

Another meeting of the Allied War Council will be held tomorrow here in Paris which French will attend. The latter was asked a

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fortnight ago to send in his resignation: this is based on the supposed un-success of Loos, but it is an intrigue partly military & partly political: for the moment it is in abeyance.

Monday 6th.

Pelly looked in again this afternoon & left Paris this evening.

He takes a grave view of the situation, as he foresees disasters both at Salonika & Gallipoli about the evacuation of which the Cabinet are still divided!

He seems to think that French will go & be succeeded by either Robertson or Haig. If Salonika is to be evacuated it would mean the fall of Briand’s Govt., & probable substitution of Clemenceau .

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Wednesday 7th.

This afternoon Sir John telephoned to ask if I could see him & he came at 4.30. He talked to me of the criticism which has been levelled against him for the operations at Loos: Haig does not seem to have played the game towards him: he was violently bitter against Kitchener: he did not tell me of his resignation & I had not the heart to ask him, for it breaks mine, to feel that one who has done what he has for England should be sacrificed in this way: have we no gratitude when one thinks of the Retreat from Mons, & the Battle of Ypres when he & his Army – his contemptible little army stood between Germany & the Channel Ports! It is all very sickening to see such intrigue

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when one is behind the scenes as I am. He talked of the extraordinary ignorance at home, as to matters out here: that when one of his staff was talking with George Curzon about the offensive in September & contending that had the Germans succeeded in capturing 130 guns they would not have hailed it as a defeat: George C. replied “Oh! but they were only machine guns!� French insisted on sending for Bertrand Dawson to come from Boulogne to look after me, as I am still in bed & the fever high.

I was so glad, & at the same time so sad to see him.

A grave telegram has come from London saying that Grey & Kitchener leave for Paris tonight, as it is no longer a question of leaving Salonika

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but how to save the Anglo-French forces which are retreating.

Thursday 8th.

A meeting was held at the Quai d’Orsay this morning: the French do not take the gloomy view held in London[.]

Sarrail is retreating, as it was always arranged he should do after his inability to save the Servians owing to our tardy arrival. What is practically an ultimatum has been addressed to Greece demanding safe-guards for our troops, the right to entrench at Salonika & full command of the rail-road also the cession of two forts which command the Harbour.

Denys Cochin who went to Athens at the same time as Kitchener found the Queen vindictive beyond words, speaking of England

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as “l’auteur de cette terrible guerre”, & of King Edward as “le mauvais genie de l’Europe”.

Feeling here is beginning to run high at the idea that we may wish to leave the French in the lurch at Salonika after it had been mutually agreed that it must be held as a basis of operations in the Balkans.

Friday 9th.

Sir Bertrand [Dawson] arrived this afternoon & says I have had tonsillitis which has also infected the blood-stream, causing this high fever: he says I shall be here for another fortnight.

Saturday 10th.

The strong measures at Athens have been effectual: the King has promised to give us a free hand at Salonika, use of the railroad

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telegraphs etc; also to remove all but one division of Greek troops & to allow us to entrench: as regards the 2 forts, he does not consent, but says if we insist he cannot oppose us.

The answer being satisfactory we shall now allow ships which were being detained to sail for Greek ports.

Our orderly retreat will now be carried out to Salonika: the 10th division has been rather hustled & has lost 2 batteries: otherwise the Anglo-French troops have completely held their own. I attribute the success of the Conference which penned the Ultimatum to Greece to three men Briand, Joffre & Frank Bertie. Grey has lost all back-bone & Kitchener has changed his mind 3 times within a week! They both left for England this afternoon.

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The arguments in favour of retaining Salonika are first & foremost the preservation of the Entente: then the necessity for remaining in the Balkans & thus preventing Greece & Roumania joining the Central powers: thirdly the necessity for preventing its becoming a Submarine base: had we only sent out promised troops to Servia’s assistance 3 weeks earlier instead of diverting them to Egypt the Serbian Army might have been saved: as it is there are still 150,000 fighting men who when re-equipped & rested in Albania will be ready to join us at Salonika which Joffre thinks can easily be held by 150,000 troops against 400,000. Gallipoli is to be evacuated gradually.

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Monday 13th.

Bertrand Dawson left for Boulogne as my temperature is now normal & I have now only to regain strength. Ivy was to have sailed tomorrow for home but cables that she has postponed it: such a disappointment!

Tuesday 14th.

The news from the Balkans continues good: we have reached Greek territory, bringing away all stores & provisions.

General Castelnau has been appointed Chief of Staff to Joffre.

Thursday 16th.

The news of French’s resignation is announced in today’s papers: it is said that at his own request he has given up the command owing to the excessive strain of the past 16 months: that he has accepted the post of

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Commander-in-Chief in England & has been made a Viscount.

Douglas Haig succeeds him.

Saturday 18th.

Sir John comes to Paris tomorrow to the Embassy for 2 nights: he lunches with Joffre on Monday & is to be received by the President in the afternoon. I am to see him.

Ivy writes that she postponed her return because she felt the chances were great of Sonnie returning to Egypt from Gallipoli.

Monday 20th.

Sir John came to see me this evening: he had bade farewell to Joffre at Chantilly & to the President at 4.30. He goes to England tomorrow to become Commander-in-Chief there: the Prime Minister had put it to him, that he is needed at home, & under these circumstances

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he felt he had no option.

Robertson goes home also as Chief of the Imperial General Staff. I feel that Haig has been intriguing. We talked of Kitchener & the trouble he is giving, and his ineptitude: the Government would like to send him to India to succeed Lord Hardinge, but consider him too incompetent.

He interferes with everything & everybody. It seems that, feeling it necessary to find a berth for Sir A. Murray who is succeeded

by Robertson, he proposed to send him out here to command the 1st Army: to this Sir John & Haig sent a joint telegram of protest, as they consider him quite unfit for such a post. Monro is therefore being recalled from the Mediterranean to take over the 1st Army, & Murray goes out

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as C. in C. to the Mediterranean: and yet he was relieved from Chief of the Staff out here last February. I wonder how Haig will succeed in his new post of C. in C., & will he be accepted by the French? When history comes to be written England will know what she owes to John French.

Wednesday 22nd.

This morning comes the announcement that the troops from Anzac & Suvla have been embarked unbeknown to the Turks without any loss in either men or stores. What a triumph for the Navy! And Kitchener said there would be a loss of 50%!

Friday 24th.

More news has come of the wonderful evacuation carried out at Gallipoli by Monro, &

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Birdwood & Rosslyn Wemyss in command of the ships.

Only 2 men wounded, & six guns & a small quantity of provisions (all destroyed first) were abandoned. It is a marvellous feat – And so rings down the Curtain on one of the saddest episodes of the war. We still hold Cape Helles at the entrance to the Straits, where our position is stronger.

Saturday 25th. Xmas Day. A telegram from beloved Ivy last night: this has been a sad Xmas Day alone in an Hotel! but after all what does anything matter! Frank Bertie, Esme & Sloggett came to see me.

Esme is here for a week from the front working well & in good spirits: he tells me the Guards Division do not appreciate

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Haig: they have never forgiven him for sending home Noel Corry when by dis-obeying orders he saved the situation of his Batallion during the Retreat from Mons: the Army would have preferred Robertson as C. in C. EsmÊ also told me deserters coming into our lines all speak of the privations their families are suffering in Germany, & that the shells which have been used lately are bursting very badly – a large percentage not at all, & are marked 1915.

Sunday 26th.

A visit from Dr. Dillon on his way back from Rome where he has been for some months.

The Italians are behaving disgracefully: they have never declared war on Germany &

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he tells me there is a secret treaty by which Germany agrees not to invade, or commit any “frightfulness� so long as Italy trades with her & for her, which she is doing. It was absolutely necessary politically to hold Salonika, as otherwise Greece & Roumania would have definitely ranged themselves with the Central powers.

General Castelnau is in Salonika.

There are different opinions, as to the remnants of the Serbian Army: some say 100,000 are intact, but they are suffering terrible privations on their way to the Adriatic coast.

Dec 28th.

The Cabinet have decided to keep Asquith’s pledge to the Married Man, & a bill will be brought in to compel the shirking bachelors

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to serve!

Dec: 30th.

The P. & O. Persia on which Ivy went to Egypt has been torpedoed in the Mediterranean.

Great loss of life. General Sarrail has ordered & carried out the arrest of the German Austrian Turkish & Bulgarian consuls at Salonika. Well done the French! The were all spies.

Dec 31st.

Sir John Simon has resigned on the proposed compulsion [conscription] bill.

A good riddance.

Boulogne

Jan: 10th. 1916

I came back from Paris today.

Feb: 1st. 1916 Have been very ill ever since my return from Paris. Dawson says it has been blood-poisoning & will take me 3 months before

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I really gain strength again: it has been impossible to keep up my diary.

Feb 15th. 1916 Such a wonderful surprise this morning. Ivy & Sonnie walked in at 9.30 having arrived from Egypt with Byng & all his staff for a command in France!

Ivy looking so well, & they spent the day with me, leaving this evening at 5 p.m. – It was like the good days of last summer having them both here. I hope to get across in about 10 days.

The Russians have taken Erzurum which has created a profound impression throughout the East: the Turks are fleeing in disorder to the South & West.

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Monday 21st. 1916 Heavy artillery fire in the region of Verdun which seems to indicate a German offensive in the district.

Tuesday 22nd.

Violent German attack in progress: the French have evacuated one or two villages. Seven German Army Corps are engaged.

Friday 25 The French are putting up a magnificent defence, although they have had to give ground to the extent of 4½ miles.

The Germans are attacking in the old massed formation suffering huge losses.

Sunday. 27 All eyes are turned on Verdun.

The Germans claim to have captured one of the outlying

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forts Douaumont but the French retook & passed it.

Monday 28th.

The German attack seems to have slackened, & the French have plenty of re-inforcements: the artillery fire is reported as “incredible�: the Germans claim 15000 prisoners, but the French only admit half that number, the explanation probably being that they include all civilians in the captured villages! The Maloja P. & O. was sunk by a mine yesterday 2 miles off Dover, with it is feared some loss of life.

I go to England on Wednesday.

March 2nd.

Arrived in London from Boulogne.

Ivy & Algy met me.

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Boulogne

April 17th.

Returned from England, thoroughly recovered: spent part of the time at Welbeck & then London with Ivy. During all these weeks the battle of Verdun has raged: the French putting up a defence the like of which has never been seen: the German losses are colossal, & those of the French very heavy.

June 2nd.

A heavy German attack launched today against the Canadians in the Ypres Salient, or more accurately just South of it.

Genl. Byng took over the Canadian Army Corps a few days ago.

Sonnie has gone home on sick leave for a month.

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Saturday June 3rd.

News received here this morning of a great naval Battle in the North Sea , in which we have lost heavily. Queen Mary, Invincible, Indefatigable, Black Prince, Warrior besides many Destroyers: the German losses are given as only two small cruisers, which seems almost incredible. No further details are to hand, but the “Matin” gives the name of the “Lutzow” which is one of their newest super-Dreadnoughts.

Admiral Hood & Admiral ____ both lost, & almost 7000 men – It almost took one’s breath away, as one has got so unprepared for a naval battle on a large scale.

Sunday June 4th.

Left for London today: a further communiqué from the Admiralty

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makes the Naval Battle appear in a different light: it seems Beatty took on the German Light Cruisers, & before Jellicoe could arrive with the Grand Fleet found himself face to face with the German High Sea Fleet: luckily he had with him the “Queen Elizabeth” class, & as soon as the Germans sighted the Grand Fleet, they made off for home pursued by it and doing great destruction: it is thought their losses are as heavy as ours – With their usual wiliness, they sent forth their news of a great Victory broadcast so that they might get the first word in, & succeeded for the time being – Burghie on the “Lion” is safe.

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London

Tuesday June 6th.

Lunched with Louise Sassoon today, & there got the news that Kitchener & his staff on board the “Hampshire” en route for Russia have been drowned off the Orkneys, the ship having struck a mine or been torpedoed.

He had with him FitzGerald & O’Beirne representing the F. O. Consternation reigns amongst the “public” who have not realised that so far as the conduct of the war is concerned, his work was finished: Robertson having had supreme control since last November: I dined with Pelly, & he told me that by a curious co-incidence, the last “K” division left England yesterday! Ivy arrived with Sonnie from Welbeck looking so well.

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Welbeck – Wednesday 7th.

Ivy Sonnie A.[lgy] & I came down here today. The news about the Naval Victory is always more cheering, if one eliminates the loss of life, which is terrible.

It is now believed the 3 other Dreadnoughts in addition to the Lutzow (admitted) have gone down. And the fact remains that the blockade is still strangling Germany – Wilhelmshaven & Cuxhaven have been closed to the German public, which tells its own tale!

In the mean-time great things have been happening in Russia: the Southern army has made a lightning attack in the Bukovina capturing thousands of Austrian prisoners, guns & material of all kinds.

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Thursday 15th.

Have been in London two days: The Russian offensive continues victoriously. Cernowitz has been taken, & the Bukovina is almost entirely in Russian hands. A great forward movement has also taken place in the Centre & Lutsk has been captured.

Pelly, with whom I dined tells me the real offensive is to be in the North, & this crumpling up of the Austrians has come as a great surprise: our offensive is timed for July 1st., the combined 3rd. & 4th. Armies Allenby & Rawlinson.

Thursday 22nd.

Returned to Boulogne today – “Sir John” came to see me last night: he looks well & is very busy. He told me that the relief poor “K’s” death has brought

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to the War Office is inexpressible.

Time alone will show whether all the mistakes of the past 2 years will ever come out after the war, or rest in oblivion.

My belief has always been that he had the opportunity of a big man’s life & missed it: not to have brought in conscription when he took office: had that been done & munitions organised instead of Sir John’s entreaties being ignored, the war might have been over by now.

Sir John is not very hopeful about our offensive being a real “break-through”, but he notwithstanding does not believe in another winter’s campaign: he prophesies stalemate, & a “good” peace on the present front, that is to say no “getting into”

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Belgium – but evacuation by Germany.

Friday 23rd.

The Hospital had a busy time during the heavy fighting on the Canadian front: they did very well, re-taking all their lost ground & Byng is supposed to have done very well.

Verdun is once more the point of interest: terrible attacks are being made, the Germans hurling division after division against it: the Italians having had to retreat hurriedly before a violent Austrian attack are being driven down towards the Venetian plain & have lost a good many guns.

Tuesday 27th.

The Hospital is practically empty everyone having been evacuated in view of the coming

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offensive. Sloggett lunched here today – The Italians have counter-attacked & stopped the Austrian offensive.

Desperate fighting at Verdun the Germans being within 3½ miles on the Eastern side – If only they can hold out!

Our bombardment started last night all along the front, but the main attack will be down by the Somme where we join the French line. The Russian success in the south continues & Kimpolung has been captured. In the Lutsk salient there has been heavy fighting, but the Germans have not succeeded in bending it, nor has Hindenburg’s attack in the North accomplished anything.

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Saturday July 1st.

Our infantry attack started this morning, & all was going well up to 12 oc’ – we had advanced 1000 yards over a 20 mile front, & the French have crossed the Somme & are advancing on our right.

A violent day at Verdun Thiaumont fort being taken, lost, & re-taken by the French.

The Russians have taken Kolomea, an important railway centre: their prisoners since June 4th amount to 212,000 including officers! besides guns, & every description of war-material. The Italian offensive is continuing to progress, & they have once more almost cleared Italy of the enemy.

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Sunday July 2nd.

The news continues good.

We have continued to advance, & have taken the villages of Serre, Beaumont Hamel [Ovillers-] La Boiselle & Montauban [-de-Picardie] – The French have taken Curlu & Favière wood, also Dompierre Becquincourt, Bussus [-Bussuel], Fay south of the Somme. Unwounded prisoners 3,500, & ours amount to 2000 including a general Staff.

The news yesterday seems to have created great excitement in England. At Verdun there was terrific fighting yesterday & 3 times Thiaumont changed hands, but remained with the French – Our casualties about 20,000, which for the number of men engaged is not supposed to be excessive.

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There has been much agitation during the past weeks in French political circles: a secret sitting of the Chamber was held the object being to impeach Joffre for lack of preparation at Verdun. Briand however got a huge majority of over 400 & now let us hope it will die a natural death, once the Armies are on the move – The wish was to supersede him

by Castelnau or Pétain who has been entrusted with the defence of Verdun. I have passed over as unworthy even of notice all the events connected with the Irish Rebellion at Easter-time: the landing of Sir Roger Casement from a German submarine, & the scuttling of a German ammunition ship off the Coast of Ireland – Casement was

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tried for high treason & sentenced on Friday to be hung – And here are we, back at party politics as if no war were going on with Lord Lansdowne & others trying to wreck the agreement come to between Carson & Redmond on lines suggested by Lloyd George excluding the 6 Ulster Counties & giving the rest of Ireland Home Rule at once.

Any agreement should be accepted, in order to let us get on with & win the war.

Monday 3rd.

The attack continues with success.

Wounded are beginning to pour into the Hospital, which proves that those at Rouen & Havre are already full: the great losses seem to have occurred by machine guns, which the Artillery preparation did not succeed in

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destroying being turned on our men after they had gone forward.

General Eydoux commanding the Armies of the North came to the Hospital this evening: he told me the French are within 3 miles of PĂŠronne their objective: they have taken about 5000 prisoners & and we about 2500.

Tuesday 4th.

Very sad news has come that Col: Butler has been promoted to No.8 General Hospital at Rouen, & is to be succeeded

by Major Sidgwick from Calais.

Col: Butler will be a great loss.

Wounded still arriving in quantities & being passed on to England.

We have taken [Ovillers-] La Boiselle where we were held up for a time, also Fricourt, & the French Frise. Dompierre [-Becquincourt], Assevillers & Flaucourt: they have also taken

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3 heavy batteries, & a quantity of machine guns, & are through the second German line of defences on a front of 4 kilometres.

The Russians continue their advance taking many more prisoners.

Our casualties in three days 60,000.

Wednesday 5th.

Colonel Butler left today – The fighting has slackened a little, to allow the artillery to come up, & also because there have been torrential rains.

We have been heavily counter-attacked round [Ovillers-] La Boisselle, but have weathered it. Three new heavy batteries captured by the French & prisoners taken by them & us now amount to over 12,000.

There is a man in Hospital with his face nearly blown away: he was bandaging a wounded

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German, when the latter threw a bomb at him.

G. H. Q. is satisfied with progress so far. The Russian Centre has begun to move, & won a victory near Baranovitch taking 2700 prisoners & 11 guns:

Thursday 6th.

There has been a great battle in the Lutzk salient & the Russians have advanced 11 miles on the Kovel railway taking 8000 prisoners.

Lloyd George become Secretary for War and Eddie Derby Under Secretary.

Sunday 9th.

Foch who is in command of the French on the Somme has made good progress taking Biaches one mile west of PĂŠronne.

Russian advance continues.

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July 14th.

We attacked the German second line & carried it on a front of four miles taking Longueval, Bazentin-le-Grand & B[azentin].-le-Petit & the whole of the Tr么nes wood.

The Cavalry-Deccan Horse & Dragoon Guards charged in the neighbourhood of the Bois de Foureaux.

July 15th.

Advance continues. Delville Wood taken, Bois de Foureaux & the outskirts of Pozi猫res.

In the Lutsk salient the Russians have broken through on a front of 12 miles 13000 prisoners taken.

July 20th.

We advanced again yesterday: French took 3000 prisoners.

Russians continuing their success 4000 prisoners taken.

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July 25th.

We have taken Pozières after severe fighting.

July 27th.

The Russians have broken the German front west of Lutsk & taken 9000 prisoners.

Universal indignation at the shooting of Captain Fryatt commander of liner “Brussels” for alleged attempt to ram a German submarine last March.

July 28th.

The Russians have taken Brody – in the three days fighting for it, have captured 20,000 prisoners!

July 30th.

The French have reached the outskirts of Maurepas.

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London

August 5th.

Left Boulogne this afternoon where I do not expect to return till the end of next month.

Travelled over with John & Bobbie Ward, & Captain Berthier liaison officer between Joffre & the W[ar]. O[ffice]. the news is all good: we took this morning the ridge that has been our objective which is what dominates Bapaume.

Found Algy at the Station.

Aug 8th.

Ivy & Sonnie came up from Welbeck this evening: she is so well: he goes to Langwell on Thursday for 10 days –

Aug 9th.

The King left yesterday for France to spend a week with the Army.

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Aug: 16th./16 Events in the Balkans are moving – Roumania is to sign this week a military convention to join the Allies! She will declare war on Austria & march into Transylvania as soon as an offensive from Salonika has been in progress for 10 days to draw the Bulgars South: she will not declare war on Germany or on Bulgaria, but allow the passage of Russian troops to attack Bulgaria – The King returned from France yesterday.

August 17th.

Bulgaria is the dernier des derniers! She has made proposals to join Roumania, thus cutting off all Germans in Turkey & Asia Minor: King Fox’s price is to be the portion of Macedonia

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including Kavalla which he would take from Greece (!) & the retention of his throne!

It is however thought he could be made to abdicate in favour of his son, or disappear – Briand is to be in charge of the negotiations. The Balkans are once more going to be the centre of interest.

The King’s visit to France has been a success: the present plan is to go on hammering as we are doing on the Somme & in Sept. to make a more general attack, & see what can be accomplished before the winter sets in.

Wed: 23rd. Aug Fighting is going on near Salonika, the Servians attacking the Bulgarians are advancing into Greek Macedonia

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& the Greeks retiring before them!

Monday 28th.

Rumania declared war last night on Austria-Hungary.

Great rejoicing amongst the Allies: in the mean-time Bulgaria is advancing towards Kavalla, & forts have been ceded to them: there are signs of a great awakening in Greece & Venizelos is once more to the fore. One thing stands out clearly, that Briand’s handling of the whole situation in the Balkans since last November has been masterly – Against terrific opposition on our part, he has insisted on keeping our troops at Salonika: time & again Robertson has returned to the charge, as to the suitability of keeping them there – now comes the reward:

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the English Soldier is very stupid!

Wednesday 30th.

The Bulgars have occupied Kavalla! Germany has declared war on Rumania who is already through some of the Transylvanian passes, & Russian troops are moving through the Dobrudja.

Winnie arrived from Scotland this morning & lunched here.

The Kaiser has dismissed Falkenhayn for C. of S. & appointed Hindenburg in his stead!

Sept 3rd.

The Allied Fleets have made a demonstration at the Piraeus: we are to take over the telegraph & telephones, & Germans & proGermans are to be dismissed.

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Sept 6th. 1916 Ivy had a daughter this evening at 5 oc. She was taken ill at 5 this morning.

A lovely baby weighing 8lbs 2oz. both doing well. Winnie has been in London for the past week.

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Acknowledgements Produced by The Harley Gallery to commemorate the First World War Centenary.

With thanks to Derek Adlam.

Later this year a fully annotated and illustrated version of Lady Algernon Gordon-Lennox’s Great War diary will be published.

The Harley Gallery is part of The Harley Foundation, a charitable trust set up by Ivy, Duchess of Portland in 1977 to ‘encourage creativity in all of us.’ Registered Charity Number 276611.

Visit us at Welbeck www.harleygallery.co.uk

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