Tommy’s War: A First World War Diary 1913–1918

Saturday, 13 June

Beautiful day. Very warm, sunshine. Agnes and Nannie Gordon sailed by Lord of the Isles at 11.30, which was too crowded for comfort.

(#litres_trial_promo) Mrs Gordon and Ella helped them on with the luggage. I followed in ease and comfort by 4.3 GSW and arrived Rothesay 5.55.

(#litres_trial_promo) Agnes and the boy and Nannie met me. After tea we all had a look round.

Sunday, 14 June

Took a walk in the morning to the pier. After dinner we went by Ardbeg and met John and Lily Duncan and the two Jones girls.

(#litres_trial_promo) We took them all up for their tea. Beautiful day.

Monday, 15 June

After breakfast went myself to Bogany and back by Skippers Wood.

(#litres_trial_promo) We hired a pram for 4/- and after dinner we all went to Bogany Point. After tea I paid my twopence and listened to the band. Tommy got a pair of sandshoes (1/11). Weather perfect.

Tuesday, 16 June

We are all getting tanned. Weather perfect.

Monday, 29 June

Started my work today.

Saturday, 4 July

Their Royal Holinesses the King and Queen are coming to Glasgow next week, so Tommy got a flag.

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Sunday, 5 July

I was at church in the forenoon.

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Tuesday, 7 July

Lovely day. Got away from my work at 10 a.m. as we have a royal visit today. Agnes met me with the boy so we hied us to Parliamentary Road and saw the King and Queen and the Princess Mary. We took off our hat and went on our way duly elevated. After tea I went myself to Cathkin Braes and saw a glorious sunset. Met an old school mate (Tom Davidson) there and we came down to Ruglen together. Home 10.30.

Thursday, 9 July

‘There is many a married-looking man who is only worried.’

Monday, 13 July

Agnes and Tommy away to Lamlash today, so I met them at Central Station and put them on the 12.40 train to Ardrossan.

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Thursday, 16 July

Got a P. C. from my spouse letting me know when she would be home. The ‘Society’ man here at night. He took some of my hard-earned money with him.

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In late July 1914, a severe diplomatic dispute between Serbia and Austro-Hungary was threatening to boil over into war. Austro-Hungary was demanding that Serbia hand over the leaders of the Black Hand Gang, who had killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand in June 1914. On 28 July the two countries went to war. The conflict rapidly escalated, with Russia agreeing to defend Serbia if it was attacked by Austria, and Germany in turn threatening to attack Russia if it intervened in Austria.

Sunday, 26 July

Gun running in Dublin today. Mob knocked up against the military (KOSB). Three killed, about 80 injured.

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Monday, 27 July

War clouds in Europe.

Tuesday, 28 July

Austria and Servia at war now.

(#litres_trial_promo) Things looking bad.

Wednesday, 29 July

Belgrade, capital of Servia, bombarded by the Austrians. Things getting worse and worse.

Thursday, 30 July

Agnes made jam and put it in jars. Russia mobilising. Things very grave indeed in Europe.

Friday, 31 July

Tommy got a bath tonight. All the stock exchanges closed now. Bank rate up to 8%. Germany in a state of war. All Europe mobilising. Things are very bad.

Saturday, 1 August

Fine day. We went to Queen’s Park in the afternoon and at night we went round by the boating pond, Aitken Head Collieries, and Mount Florida and took the car home. Bank rate up to 10% today. Germany has sent an ultimatum to Russia and France.

Sunday, 2 August

Very wet forenoon. Very heavy rain. Took a walk into town in the afternoon to see the latest war news.

(#litres_trial_promo) Germany has declared war on Russia. Russia has crossed into Austria. Germany has crossed the French frontier. Our government considering today whether to fight or not. Royal Naval Reserves mobilised. The war of the world. We wonder what tomorrow will bring forth.