Friday, November 11, 2011

Photo- Finish Friday -- Remembering In His Own Words

This is my great-uncle's diary. I found it amongst other items belonging to my parents.
I scanned a few pages to give readers an idea of what it was like for an ordinary soldier in the Great War.
I'll let his words form the pictures for you.








Thank you.

20 comments:

carla said...

wow, Leah.
Simply wow.

Laurita said...

That is such a treasure. His discriptions of getting ready to go overseas, and getting the helmet - I can't imagine what must have been going through their minds.

Leah J. Utas said...

Carla, that about sums it.

Laurita, it really is. I'm so thrilled to have it and to be able to read the words of someone who was there while he was there.

Chris said...

Fascinating.

the Bag Lady said...

Way cool!
I'm so glad to hear that you have that. I didn't think anything like that would have survived.

Leah J. Utas said...

It sure is, Chris.

Bag Lady, it was an amazing find. I'm so glad to have it. There's not much in it. His days of quarantine are simply marked "Q." Many of the pages toward the end are blank and one of the pages at the end notes the diary is to go to our granddad in the event of his death.

It was fascinating to me for another reason. His handwriting is eerily similar to my dad's.

messymimi said...

It brings all they sacrificed into clear focus.

Reb said...

Wow! That is so cool!

Leah J. Utas said...

Messymimi, yes.

Reb, it so is.

Hilary said...

Wow.. you hold an piece of your family's (and our nation's) history in your hands. Thank you so much for sharing this. We're often so distanced from the reality. This surely brings it all closer to home.

Leah J. Utas said...

Hilary, it was my pleasure.

Redbush said...

We can't imagine how lucky we are today that there were persons who would brave such hard times for their country. It's wonderful that you still have the diary to remember him and what he went through.

Leah J. Utas said...

Redbush, it is a wonderful treasure.

Anyes said...

This piece of memorabilia makes it all so real. Thank you for sharing

Dawn said...

Absolutely a most Priceless Treasure.

Tabor said...

What a wonderful find. I have a diary of my mother-in-law's and it is only about 10% filled. I would love to find a diary of an old long gone relative, warrior or not! Congrats on the POTW.

Ron Scheer said...

Yes, priceless. Thanks.

Leah J. Utas said...

Anyes, my pleasure.

Dawn, yes.

Tabor, I'm sure your MIL's diary has some treasures, too.

Ron, it sure is.

Cheryl Kohan said...

That's just amazing! His handwriting is really beautiful. Didn't you just get the chills reading it for the first time? A voice from the past. Congrats on the POTW award, Leah. It's a perfect choice.

Leah J. Utas said...

Cheryl, I felt I was there, in his head. His handwriting reminded me of my dad's.