Old Blockade - by a boy at Dartmouth

Observe how doth the British Navy

Baulk the Bavarian of his gravy

While the fat Boche from Köln to Munick

Cannot expand to fill his tunic.

Lady Mary’s diary: Monday 2nd Dec 1918

Everyday, news so interesting and good we hardly know ourselves. From Clemenceau’s speech at the Fr Embassy. At a critical stage Foch said: “I can’t hold can I, then I’ll attack.”

Another famous saying: [by Foch] “I shall fight in front of Amiens, I shall fight in Amiens, I shall fight behind Amiens.”

Lady Mary’s diary, Weds 4th Dec 1918

American officer tumbled into our 1st class as we started back. We at once entered into conversation. US big ships had arrived that pm. Pale, strong American face, blue uniform. Had just come from Rosyth could hardly find words to express his contempt of Hun fleet and mortification at not having been able to fight. Says fleet was in filthy state and bad repair.

Admiration of Ad. Beatty. Displeased at President W coming over to Paris; is to meet him, escort at Brest on Monday. This young man brought home to me America’s presence.

Lady Mary’s diary, Weds 4th Dec 1918

Margaret [my sister in law] took me to Maiden Newton to see Robert [my son] at Weymouth 1-5.30pm. Met us at station, my emotion. Looking just the same but head still shattered. Has given his health for his country - may he be blessed.

Very nice walk along sea walk. All manner of ships going in and out of the mist. Portland, the S. Coast. Much intimate talk. Dear Little Lorna more lovely than ever, those dark eyes. Was kind to me and pleased with my doll. Pleasant tea.

picture: Weymouth Seafront 1918, courtesy Dorset History Centre

05.12.1918 Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to wife Essie: We are allowed to say almost anything in letters now.

Tomorrow we are moving on and I shall have a long day with the caterpillars. The opinion seems to be that we are not going on to Germany at all but are going to fetch up somewhere in Belgium.

Have you secured a vote and do you intend to use it? The bill giving a vote to the Army seems a complete farce. image: US Secretary of War riding an artillery tractor in July 1918 picture: US Library of Congress http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/npcc.28122

06.12.1918 Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to wife Essie: We are going on Sunday and will trek about 20 miles a day for five days. We expect to have a more interesting time in Belgium as we shall be in civilisation once more.

On sale now - our replica WW1 Christmas cards at East Dorset Tourism Information Centre @WimborneTIC - or send us an sae and we'll post you a set for free - send DM for address details. Here's one of the originals sent to nursing orderly @OliveHarcourt in 1917 @IWM_Centenary pic.twitter.com/nZa5b5IEq7

— Voices from 1918 (@VoicesFrom1918) 9 December 2018

A Christmas card from Ambrose Pinney - “With Heartiest Greetings for Christmas and the coming Year”

9th December 1918, Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie, : We have started our trek now and have spent the night in a place called Bavay. I am with the guns going in a different way to the rest of the battery.

11 December 1918 I am writing in a place called Philippeville [Namur province]. We had quite an exciting time getting the guns through old gateways and over bridges. You very nearly had me back a gunner as I should certainly have been courtmartialed if we had dropped one of the caterpillars in the moat. We are in civilised country now the fields cultivated, cattle grazing and no ruined houses.

Olive Harcourt Dec 10th 1918

Concert at Beaucroft. Florence and I sang and a harpist from Bournemouth the only ones. We did Home Sweet Home, Let me Dance again, Alpen-Rosen and other German songs.

Mr Widnall was telephoned for as he wanted to come specially. At the end Mackan recited, really splendid, very talented his little Joan (aged 2) came and sat at his feet on the platform with her hands folded in her lap.

Lady Mary’s diary December 10th 1918 The Huns bearing defeat badly. Rumours of Kaiser’s suicide. “When all the blandishments of life are gone the coward slinks to death, the brave lives on.” - Warren Vernon’s memoirs, delightful book.

[Lady Mary refers to Dante scholar Warren Vernon's book "Recollections of Seventy-two Years," recording his life and travel in Italy, with reminiscences of the kingdom of Naples in the days of King Bomba, pub 1917.]

12th December 1918, Letter from Alfred Johnson to Essie :

I have had various election papers but no authority for voting. I expect I should have voted for that Labour man. One has only to read Wrentmore's address to see what a fool he is.'

There are rumours that we are to go on to Germany later.

We have spent the night at Dinant on the Meuse - The Germans shot a lot of civilians here in 1914 and there are notices on the walls about it..

Weds Dec 11th 1918

Nice letter from Sir Robert Williams in reply to my congratulations: unopposed election, W Dorset.

Lady Mary’s diary 12.12.1918

Rather seedy. How seldom am I kept indoors, thank God. Lloyd George’s excellent Election speeches. The net is closing round the Kaiser (at Amerongen, Holland)

Germany quite unrepentent. Frances [niece] has been nearly distracted but remains sane. Cosmo [her husband] can get abt on crutches in hospital South Audley St.

Friday 13th December 1918 I paid my last subs to the Belgian refugees. We have had them here since Jan 25 1915. No one loves the Belgians. Arranged Christmas cards, presents etc.

Sat 14th December 1918 General Election - I hope Lloyd George and his coalition will get a large majority. Sir Rt Williams returned unopposed in W Dorset so whether I may vote (being Peeress) I have not discovered.

Alfred Johnson, letter to Essie 16.12.1918


We have at length received voting papers, so after all the government seems to be making an effort to give us a vote. From what Lloyd George says it seems that the Government is going to get all it can out of Germany and go back on what they have asserted in the past.

Civilians here are very grieved at our departure. Last night there was the devil of a row in the street among the gunners who’d had too much cognac. There were several fights and the chief offender finished up in the guard room.

17th December 1918

Letter from my sister Emily in Scotland, how she went and voted for Parliament for the first time in history with six other Skipness ladies, all crammed on the car.

To Grammar School prize giving in the hall by Colonel Colfox. Sat next to Mrs C (her broken heart, son died) Mr Kitson in Chair. 100 girls and boys gave a performance after the speeches. (Dr Skinner good, Col C pretty good.) “La Belle au bois dormant” Sleeping Beauty in amazing French.

Almost a miracle; also a lovely dance with tulle veils. Mary Andress very pretty and graceful. Her parents immediately behind me, bursting with pride. Very nice show. The whole village there.

James Sansom: 17th December 1918

We move to Gammerages in Belgium about 30 kilos from Brussels. I go again in a motor for a joy ride. I and others are billeted in a water mill while we have our hospital in the village school.

The story of Olive’s embroidered Christmas cards from the front from BBC Breakfast in Dorset 19 December 2018

Olive Harcourt’s diary 22.12.18

Florence and I went to have a little music at Beaucroft. Only a few men left, 30 gone for Christmas. Very dull time. Bradley wold not stop roaring like a bull and no other would sing.

picture: Olive Harcourt's piano at the home of her ward Joan Cocozza in Bristol in 2018

Letter to Essie 23.12.1918

The pig has been killed. At one time it was feared he would die a natural death from too much lorry travelling but has survived all the moving and met his end yesterday morning. Reading: 'Beyond', John Galsworthy, (1917)

Celebration service 11 of the clock, some 200 faithful present. “Oh thou that bringest good tidings” my overpowering emotion, actually pouring tears.

I had invited Mr Earle of Mapperton, he is just returned from France (Chaplain).

Gave us a wonderful account of what he saw. He arrived out there precisely at the turn of the tide and followed the retreating Germans the whole time. The number of machine guns they threw away - incalculable. The destruction of everything. The Australians, desperate fighters but absolute savages and disobedient. His services were crowded and enthusiastic. He slept in a cellar while his tent - Church - was destroyed by a direct hit. He used to sit and watch our airmen bringing down enemy aircraft. What a show. He comes back a different man.

Marie Stopes: Christianity like most religions has a strong wave of ascetics, early in its history . While there was a harsh asceticism which is hostile to the other sex ...there was also a romantic asceticism which did not entirely prohibit the charms and pleasures of mutual companionship.

There is no disease that I know of which is caused by the normal and mutually happy marriage relation, a relation to most, has positive healing and vitalising power.

The profound truth which is perceived by ascetics is that the creative energy of sex can be transformed into other activities. This truth should never be lost sight of in marriage; the periods of abstinence should be opportunities for transmuting the healthy sex power into work of every sort.

One of the most famous married ascetics is Tolstoy, whose later opinion was that the highest human being completely inhibits his sexual desires and lives a celibate.

Printed Christmas card from 69th Siege-Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

Albert Johnson to wife Essie I seem to remember that you did not get a vote. How was that? I voted for the Labour man but I don't know if my vote will arrive in time.

Lady Mary’s diary 26.12.18

Ethel and Collingwood looking well and happy. President Wilson is met by King George and taken to Buckingham Palace, this brilliant day. I walked up to Hackthorne, nearly four miles.

To Mrs Partridges clever acting in the evening. “1 Contrasts: 2 Backward Child: 3 Don’t let the Lady go.” Hall packed. I congratulated Mrs Partridge and walked up the hill and saw a most magnificent sunset. “The heavens declare the Glory of God.”

I am happy to announce the launch of my new book WiseParenthood best wishes for the festive season

James Sansom: James Sansom 28 Dec 1918

We are having an easy time now - no parades, get up what time we please and the people are very good to us. We get plenty of sport here. We have several concerts and have a good time generally .

At Xmas plenty to eat and drink for those who like it and we spend a lot of time with the villagers.

Lady Mary’s diary 28.12.18

The Elections declared Saturday night. An astonishing majority for Coalition ie Lloyd George. Asquith and his party out. Pacifists out.

29.12.1918 Letter from Alfred Forbes Johnson to Essie

I am sure the war has been bad for us in many ways, unfitted us for civil life.

I feel quite a stranger to him [son Christopher] and expect I shall little use as a father. That is the fault of the war.

Reading: Twixt Land and Sea, Joseph Conrad, 1914.

Tuesday 31st December I am too near it at present to estimate what we have lost and gained by the Great War. We know that a new world has opened. There is not one of us that has not suffered agonies. All our soldiers - in the family - have returned except dear and clever James Usborne. His body lies near Arras.

Monday 30 December

Ethel and Colingwood drove with us to meet at Hook (Cattistock Hounds) We saw them throw off and heard “the music”. Within 300 yards of home, Ethel discovered she had lost her precious beautiful wrist watch. In great agitation we returned the four miles and there in the mud in the lane we found it, quite clean and uninjured - a small miracle!

A Happy New Year 1919 to you all - just to remind you when the sex-rite is, in every sense, rightly performed, the healing wings of sleep descend both on man and woman.