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A rare and important World War I New Zealand Medics Diary, the…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Auckland
Date:
9-Aug-2010
Lot No.
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Description:
A rare and important World War I New Zealand Medics Diary, the day to day 1917 diary was compiled and carried by private Frank Wilks. Wilks has completed entries for most days during 1917, the diary includes day to day accounts of trench and service life but also some very graphic, important and previously unpublished accounts of engagements with the Germans. Diary entry from 4 October 1917 - the first battle of Passchend'le '. .beastly night very cramped cold and the dead hun underneath certainly ponged very strongly if we moved about too much. Turned out for a carry in the dark. Cold and wet. Hard work. Several big bursts of firing during the night put the barrage proper broke out about 10.30am and then indeed there was no doubt about it, the flashes lit up the sky and the air and earth quivered continously for an hour or more. Machine guns suddenly opened up from shell holes just around US and the bullets whizzed and zipped and peeped over head. .' and the following day the diary ends, so presumably private Wilks was wounded - he was not killed. Frank Wilks, a Grocer from Orakei Rd, Remuera Embarked as 3/2211 Pte/2211 Pte F Wilks NZEF with the medical Corps on 26 June 1916. He is not shown as having been killed during the war.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Militaria & Weapons: Ephemera