Working on postcards for @HLFSouthWest project @VoicesFrom1918 @OliveHarcourt @mariestopes1918 @LadyMonkswell #RedCross hospital in #Wimborne pic.twitter.com/22a6pvat0O

— Sharon Hayden (@shascreenplay) November 1, 2018

Marie Stopes: Letter received as follows: “I bought your book Married Love hoping to gain knowledge as to prevent me having any more children. I purchased a rubber cap, either it was not the right one or not fitted properly and am afraid I have become pregnant again.

Could you advise me if there is anything I can do to assist matters and put me right again? I am only 35 years of age but my health is entirely ruined by having the children so quickly and the burden is more than anyone can stand in these trying times.”

I replied to this poor soul saying there is nothing I could do to help.

L0065287 'Prorace' cervical cap, London, England...

Saturday Nov 2nd 1918. 74th General Hospital BEF letter from Alfred Johnson to his wife Essie: I have been marked as fit and shall be probably leaving here on Monday.

Mon 4/11 1918 Letter from Alfred Johnson to his wife Essie I crossed over from Trouville by boat today. If there is a shortage of small houses I think it would be better to take a maisonette than to stop at Haverstock Hill. It may be many months before the shortage is righted. Reading: 'Pride and Predjudice', Jane Austen, (1813)

7.11.18 letter to Essie from Alfred Johnson What do you think of the news now? The Germans must realise the hopelessness of their position and I should not think will go on long however stiff the terms are. They have absolutely nothing to gain by continuing. Reading: Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad, (1900)

Lady Mary’s diary 4.11.1918

The startling news is that Austria is out of the war. I was able to be busy about small things all day, altho’ quite alone. Reading Mrs H Ward’s memoirs with great enjoyment. I knew or have seen nearly all the people she speaks of.

[Mary Augusta Ward CBE was a British novelist who wrote under her married name of Mrs Humphry Ward. She worked to improve education for the poor and became the founding President of the Women's National Anti-Suffrage League.]

Excited to be supporting this performance @BridportArts on Thursday 11.30am with our research from @VoicesFrom1918 book tickets here: https://t.co/EiXJdF6bJd @NerysW @HLFSouthWest https://t.co/iZUew8IQ5i

— Alastair Nisbet (@alastair) 6 November 2018

Wednesday November 6th

I read every item of the “terms” to Austria and gloat over each one. If Germany “wants terms she may apply to Marshall Foch”. The gusto with which old Clemenceau aged 77 must have said this in the chamber. My God, if Germany was giving us terms what would they have been

Thursday November 7th: What a day. Was sitting quietly when at about 11of the clock in walked Bertie Graham. He went to Salonika two years ago. He look very well tho’ tired still quite the civilian dressed in khaki. Must return tomorrow in spite of these constant rumours that the fighting is over

Friday November 8th: The four Germans received Foch’s conditions of armistice and a courier has taken them (post haste) to Spa where Hindenburg seems to be. A reply is to arrive in 72 hours ie by 11 of on Monday. They will be hard terms. The German Navy seems to be in revolt: Hostilities not to cease: now is the moment for our fleet to attack.

Just seen When Tommy Came Marching Home - wonderful WW1 show @BridportArts with @margiebarbour using our research to play @LadyMonkswell - music, drama, song, dance and a hilarious cookery demonstration - great fun @HLFSouthWest @DorsetArchives pic.twitter.com/2R5UJ9f5PD

— Voices from 1918 (@VoicesFrom1918) 9 November 2018

Friday 8th Nov 1918 Letter from Lieut Alfred Johnson to Essie: A couple of days ago I was Orderly Officer in all the rain starting with a parade at 5.30 am. I am going back on to the battery to-night...I think the war is as good as over

#Armistice2018 commemorate cards for our @VoicesFrom1918 project funded by @HLFSouthWest of @OliveHarcourt who was a nursing orderly at #BritishRedCross hospital in #Dorset pic.twitter.com/yWo9TnyVSw

— Sharon Hayden (@shascreenplay) November 9, 2018

Well - here's something I never thought I would ever say. My Armistice diary is on @BBCDorset read by the extraordinary @margiebarbour @TheKeepMuseum on the wireless just after 8 of this very morning. She's got me off to a tee - remarkable! https://t.co/msbIGCAcLV go to 1:54:20

— Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell (@LadyMonkswell) November 9, 2018

Lady Mary’s diary - Saturday November 9th, 1918

The German delegates are to meet Foch near Guise and he will dictate terms. They are to reply by 11of on the 11th November. Poor Devils - 72 hours. They are astonished at the severity of the terms. We don’t yet know what those terms are.

Sunday November 10th:
On returning from 8of celebration I opened the rotten little socialist paper The People and see “Kaiser and Crown Prince abdicate” We sing God Save with extraordinary fervour and when we came out of church saw the German flag flying at half mast upside down. It is all very overwhelming. I bear it as quietly as I can. Dear Dor had lunch with me and we had a delightful hour playing Schumann. I went over there to tea taking a cake so I had not to be alone with my emotions

Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to Essie, 11th November 1918

I believe the war is over. You will know for certain by the time you get this. I don’t think I shall see any more shelling and I am not at all sorry.

As it’s Remembrance day, I thought I’d share a few pictures from a diary I have from the WW1. My Great Grandma was a nurse in Southport and she asked the injured soldiers she tended to, to fill the diary. Lest we forget. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/PcNvnCDJnt

— Alice Schofield (@aliceschofield_) 11 November 2018

Lady Mary's diary 11.11.18

We began the day with an airship sailing round and round, close over us. We all rushed out and cheered and waved. About 11 the band played God Save in the Market place whither we all repaired, the flag was hoisted on the church tower and the bells rung. We don’t yet know that the Germans have yet signed. Wonderful scenes in town.

Effect upon me. I am stunned. Great service 7.30, church crammed. Non com minister read lesson in broad Scotch. Foch’s terms of peace most severe. Lloyd George said “Germany ruined within and without” They intended to ruin us.

Congratulations! Glory! Hallelujah! Viva! Hurrah! The War – THE WAR IS OVER!! Hurrah! Hip, hip, hurray! We have just had the official information from the CO on parade. I can’t help writing off at once, though I really ought to wait until I am in a calmer state. pic.twitter.com/BDxie5ipe9

— Fred Noakes (@fredtwells) 11 November 2018

Olive’s diary: 11th November Armistice proclaimed

Flags out here at 11.30. Florence ran in to tell us. A little upset to think my dear boy not here to see it! [referring to Major Edmund Street DSO, killed in 1916] Convoy arrived early. I began work in a full hospital.

Men excited playing every instrument they could & cheering like made things. Work hard. Concert by Kettles lot, most hideous row. F came and helped a little. Gave up A ward to Miss Bannister

So glad my words - read by the delightful Miss Barbour - were part of this beautiful event. Here she is reading them https://t.co/xv1apHL23r https://t.co/Ad3VgiwdbH

— Mary Collier, Lady Monkswell (@LadyMonkswell) November 12, 2018

Monday November 11th - Armistice at Skipness in Scotland

My sister Emily and Willy Ramsay walked down to the pier in the pm. Seeing a Johnny Motor boat about half mile away, and noting that the sea was calm, Sandy Thompson who was standing by her (at the end of the pier) shouted to them “What’s the warr news” Across the water the four fishermen with united voice replied “Peace is made and the Ka.sir’s awa’ t’ Ho-land”

James Sansom: 12th November 1918 We move on from Ascq to follow up Jerry who is retreating fast and keep marching through Lille Tournai and other places until we reach the village of Frasnes lez Buissenal when we hear the Armistice was signed yesterday

The airship sailing close over Lady Mary in Beaminster on Armistice day was from the Royal Naval Air Station at nearby Toller Porcorum.

SSZ 45 was one of 2 based there to patrol the waters of Lyme Bay for U-boats. On June 10 she watched an airship pass close over Chideock along with seaplanes and a “great firing” from the planes and a destroyer attacking a U-boat.

Lady Mary’s diary 13th Nov 1918

I read the 34 terms of Armistice with great enjoyment. They are indeed terrible as the wretched envoys said but as Germany is starving we intend to feed them. They meant to starve us. Beautiful acct of the joy in town and the Houses of Parliament service at St Margarets.

November 14th 1918 Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to Essie.

We are in a village where there are liberated French civilians. I was talking to one of them yesterday. They have certainly had a difficult time

Lady Mary’s diary November 14th 1918

President Wilson’s fine address to the Senate: “Hunger does not breed reform, it breeds madness.” Our Lord has said: “If thine enemy hungers - feed him.” Having beaten him, we are going to feed him. Endeavouring to calm down and get steady

Olive’s diary Nov 15th 1918

All preparing for this foolish fancy dress ball on the 20th. Griffiths said I looked after him like a King! He carried my coal home singing Welsh songs. Slate quarry worker from Llanllyfni in North Wales

16.11.18 Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie:

We are going on to Germany with the army of occupation and I am looking forward to an interesting time. I found the battery billeted in a village and all very comfortable. I am glad we have finished the tarpaulin life.

We have been drilling this morning. I think the men are rather fed up with it and you hear some of them say they would rather be in action. I suppose we ought to look as smart as possible in Germany.

Lady Mary’s diary 17.11.18

Dear old Aunt Cecie to lunch here. To Woodlands, tea in drawing room to save fires. Wore my “Armistice” dress. Dark grey cloth, gold braid off old uniform. Flemish point lace. Smart. Read them Cynthia’s letter of the v. Italian rejoicings at Florence and Porto S. Giorgio

Can anybody help us explain this Christmas card sent home by an officer in Belgium in November 1918? Saint George and the Dragon, fight between good and evil could refer to Belgian festivals at Tournai or Mons and the Fleur de Lis could be Lille but whose is the flag ?@LivesOfWW1 pic.twitter.com/TwLtmOCwNI

— Voices from 1918 (@VoicesFrom1918) 17 October 2018

Lady Mary’s Armistice week read by @margiebarbour The airship circling close over her in Beaminster on Armistice day was from the RNAS Toller Porcorum. SSZ 45 one of 2 based there to patrol the waters of Lyme Bay for U-boats @LivesOfWW1 @LadyMonkswell #WW1Centenary #airship pic.twitter.com/ye2RoltGr3

— Voices from 1918 (@VoicesFrom1918) 17 November 2018

Lady Mary’s diary - Monday November 18th 1918

Surrender of the Hun Fleet to Admiral Beatty. Most thrilling. Grand speech by Lloyd George on reconstruction after he war. Thanksgiving services everywhere. I am still quite stunned

Lady Mary’s diary - Monday November 19th 1918

King George meets both Lords and Commons for Victory speech. Germans’ behaviour under defeat very poor. The price of Victory 3,049,991 casualties. Deaths: Officers 38,000 other ranks 621,000. Germans 4,000,000 casualties

Olive’s diary 20th November 1918

Fancy dress affair at Beaucroft Hospital. I remained on duty and put in 16 hot water bottles and got supper. The dresses were far beyond my expectation. Nurse Howell in an old costume got 1st prize, Florence helped her to dress. Stubbs as a London cabby got the men’s 1st prize.

Lady Mary’s diary - 20.11.1918

Most thrilling account of the arrival at Harwich of the first 20 U-boats. Lovely day walked to Mapperton.

Pleasant talk with Mrs Compton. Photos of her lovely daughters Phyllis, Lady Chichester [National Portrait Gallery x123406], Mrs Green

21.11.1918 Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to Essie.

We shall be in Catillon near Le Cateau for a week or two yet as we going on by train. We are allowed to mention places now. I can't imagine how long we shall be there when we shall be demobilised...some are pretending to get bored already.

I suppose I have got lazy and so far am not tired of this idle life.

There is a sort of a piano in this room and we had a sing song last night. We are having quite a jolly time here. Reading: The Wrecker by Clive Cussler.

I knew about the Armistice on Sunday night but I was not letting myself believe it until absolutely certain.

Did we say? We've made some postcards. Four about our 1918 diarists and three prints of embroidered WW1 Christmas cards with envelopes. Send us an sae and we'll post you a set of each. Voices from 1918, 29 Mellstock Ave, Dorchester DT12BG @IWM_Centenary @DorsetArchives https://t.co/48hbAmRV1y

— Voices from 1918 (@VoicesFrom1918) November 21, 2018

Dear @OliveHarcourt, auxiliary nurse at Beaucroft Red Cross hospital in Dorset, I feel I've really got to know you through your diary. As a professional singer, & graduate of Dresden Conservatoire, you sing German folk songs to your injured soldiers and they love them @DohertyTA https://t.co/m0EsnMu2PL

— Alastair Nisbet (@alastair) November 22, 2018

Olive Harcourt’s diary Friday 22nd November 1918

I sang at a small concert. After being on duty since 2 was tired. Had some supper with the staff. Sang Jess MacFarlane, Comin’ thro’ the Rye and to lute Die Sennerin and Nur einval noch. Hewitt gave me his picture, so humbly, by the kitchen sink

pictured: Jones, with crutches, Spiers behind chair, Hewitt in chair. Jones, Welsh took French leave on the way home. Spiers bad foot case, superior man

Lady Mary’s diary Saturday November 23rd 1918

Read again the Great Surrender.

Having borne four years adversity, I can make the shift to endure Victory.

It is impossible to say the emotions we have been thro’ this week. Floods of tears might relieve me but I never weep

Letter I have received from the Commons about setting up a Memorial Book to remember those members of both houses, their sons and grandsons, who have died in the conflict

Wonderful letter from Capt Ambrose Pinney to Lady Mary - life in France and Belgium, the comedy of smuggling prisoners taken after 11am, the Belgians greeting British with bouquets and Germans with bricks

Namur, November 1918

My Dear Lady Monkswell, How very nice of you to write to me. It was a great moment when the Hun finally caved in, and since then the situation has not been without a humour of its own.

Dear MARY, we are so grateful to you for keeping the Diary. I would love to have known you. Reading your diary has given me a peep into your life. Thank you. https://t.co/lkZWiAeLFP

— Margie Barbour (@margiebarbour) November 24, 2018