Archie WIlls - My Life in the Army, Volume 06
Creators: name: Wills, Archie H. (Archibald Henry), 1892-1988
Publisher: name: University of Victoria Libraries
Year: 2021
Subjects: subject: Military training camps
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1021543
subject: Military education
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1021108
subject: Soldiers' writings
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125350
subject: Soldiers--Conduct of life
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125249
subject: Soldiers--Mental health
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125281
subject: Recruiting and enlistment
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1091944
subject: Soldiers--Health and hygiene
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125269
subject: Canada. Canadian Army
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/531187
subject: Influenza Epidemic (1918-1919)
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1754995
subject: Soldiers--Medical care
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125279
subject: Military camps
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1021054
subject: Soldiers
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125233
subject: War horses
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1170502
subject: World War (1914-1918)
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1180746
subject: War diaries
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1745536
subject: Soldiers--Social conditions
valueUri: http://id.worldcat.org/fast/1125310

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