The House of Commons and House of Lords books of remembrance are on display and available to view digitally from the Parliamentary archive http://digitalarchive.parliament.uk/book/view?bookName=HL%20Remembrance%20Book%20WW1&catRef=PIC%2fD%2f3%2f4&mfstId=e7fb9953-de2b-42a8-bfbb-0e3c2e755bb8#page/n10/mode/2up
Lady Mary’s diary 27.11.1918
Wonderful acct of signing Armistice in the Compiègne Forest, the delegate evidently in considerable terror, Foch “a severe calm man”.. “not a human word”..”obliged to sign..with its inhuman conditions”
27.11.1918 Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie.
Cambrai is a good deal knocked about, must have been a nice place once. I am afraid they are going to take a long time gassing at the Peace Conference. There may be a long argument among the Allies about the freedom of the seas
Friday 29th November 1918
Lady Monkswell: In dog cart to Mrs Pinney’s, she most cheerful: walked back. German Admiral asks to fly his dishonoured flag. Not so, says Admiral Beatty. Letter from Cosmo Gordon from Russian Hospital in S. Audley Street where I had written to him, dear fellow.
Olive Harcourt’s diary 30.11.18 Nurse Howell came in late for one & a half hours. Thinks Beaucroft will be shut soon. William Fletcher writes: Happy Days. It is with the greatest pleasure that I write these few lines.
Thank you ever so much for all your kindness shown to me during my stay at Beaucroft
30 November 1918 Lettter to Essie from Alfred Forbes Johnson: I know you are very lonely and I am sure the war has given you a much worse time than it has on me. I have really had a good time on the whole except for moments and there is only one day that remains as a nightmare.
As to my not saying anything of the future it is because it is so far ahead and we are not feeling that we shall be home soon now. I see the delegates at the peace conference seem to be making comfortable preparations for a lengthy stay. Meanwhile parliament is dissolved so no awkward questions can be asked, and as far as I can see nobody here is likely to get a vote.
04.12.1918 Letter from Alfred Johnson to his son Christopher in Bury, Lancs where he is living with his grandmother. Wishing you a happy birthday. Before your next birthday comes I shall be living at home with you and mother.
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Voices from 1918 has been developed by artists Sharon Hayden and Alastair Nisbet in partnership with Wimborne Community Theatre, Dorset History Centre and the Priest’s House Museum, Wimborne with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Thanks to all who have helped us with this project: Maria Gayton and staff at Dorset History Centre where we found Lady Mary Monkswell’s diaries; Joan Cocozza, ward of nursing auxiliary Olive Harcourt; Portland Museum where we found James Sansom’s diaries; the British Library and Wellcome Libraries; Priest’s House Museum in Wimborne and Gill Horitz from Wimborne Community Theatre.
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