Why did soldiers keep a diary in ww1?

For many who served during World War I, keeping a diary offered an outlet, a place into which they could unload their fears and frustrations. Today, these diaries stand as unparalleled historic documents, providing readers with a wealth of information about the day-to-day lives of service members.

What was the daily routine of a British soldier in ww1?

Following morning stand-to, inspection, and breakfast, soldiers undertook any number of chores, ranging from cleaning latrines to filling sandbags or repairing duckboards. During daylight hours, they conducted all work below ground and away from the snipers’ searching rifles.

Why did soldiers keep diaries?

Like civilians, members of the military kept diaries to fight off boredom and to record the day’s events. They wrote to capture the sights and sounds of what the writer was experiencing far away from home and to cope with loneliness and fear.

What did they eat during ww1?

Fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and bread were hard to find….These were solid, heavy, belly-filling meals such as:

• Bean soup and bread, followed by treacle pudding.
• Toad-in-the-hole and potatoes.
• Mutton stew and suet pudding.
• Fish and potato pie, then baked raisin pudding.

What was it like going over the top in WW1?

Going over the top could be a devastating experience. If the artillery had done its job, the enemy’s barbed wire fences would be shredded and the defenders killed. It was also to wear down the enemy by killing soldiers and to damage defences by throwing grenades and setting up mortars.

How was trench foot prevented in WW1?

It was also discovered in World War I that a key preventive measure was regular foot inspections; soldiers would be paired and each partner made responsible for the feet of the other, and they would generally apply whale oil to prevent trench foot.

Why do soldiers write letters?

During the First World War, letter writing was the main form of communication between soldiers and their loved ones, helping to ease the pain of separation. Receiving letters from family and friends was also vital to morale, keeping men and women connected to the homes they had left behind. …

Are soldiers allowed to keep diaries?

Soldiers were officially forbidden from keeping diaries for similar security purposes, but many did so anyway. Writing likely helped these soldiers remember things and try to make sense of what they were experiencing. For those of us who get to read those diaries now, it also helps us learn so much more.

What did soldiers eat for breakfast in the trenches in ww1?

Soldiers food in the trenches

20 ounces of bread	1/10 gill lime if vegetables not issued
16 ounces of flour instead of above	½ gill of rum
3 ounces of cheese	maximum of 20 ounces of tobacco
5/8 ounces of tea	1/3 chocolate – optional
4 ounces of jam	4 ounces of oatmeal instead of bread