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Wounded on the Somme Item 1
TRANSCRIPTION
1
COINCIDENCE
We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning. My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared. I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed. I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time". As I always held a strange belief that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded. On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to make our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme. In addition to carrying the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water.
Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action. So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally". If I have to be wounded, I had ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of things, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dressing station. Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick.
I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was now impossible to throw the feeling off. I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position. Some miles of winding communication trenches would have to be traversed, Death
Language(s) of Transcription
LOCATION
Somme valley (50.0014, 2.65155)
Story Location
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
Language of Description
Keywords
External Web Resources
People
STORY INFORMATION
Title
Wounded on the Somme
Source
UGC
Leaf
Contributor
europeana19141918:agent/6394b29d4d5c6abb1d6c2bccf4a240c8
Date
1916-08-06
1916-08-08
Type
Story
Language
eng
English
Country
Europe
DataProvider
Europeana 1914-1918
Provider
Europeana 1914-1918
DatasetName
2020601_Ag_ErsterWeltkrieg_EU
Begin
1916-08-06
End
1916-08-08
Language
mul
Agent
John Andrew Stafford | europeana19141918:agent/3fdaf947dd197acb6a6afa338a879d58
Joan Almond | europeana19141918:agent/6394b29d4d5c6abb1d6c2bccf4a240c8
Created
2019-09-11T08:23:36.532Z
2020-02-25T08:25:14.634Z
2012-03-10 10:47:03 UTC
2012-04-17 16:52:12 UTC
Provenance
PR17
Story Description
Typed memoirs of a British soldierMy father, John Stafford, served at the Battle of the Somme. My mother convinced him to write a memoir of his experiences as he was obviously suffering, mentally, with memories of his wounding. This memoir has been typed for safekeeping. The subject of the memoir is the Battle of the Somme, specifically an attack on the fringes of Trones Wood 6-8 August 1916 (crossing No Mans Land across what was known as Death Valley). Stafford describes the kit he carries, including 2 large cans of water for his section. He describes their attempts to dig-in while waiting a day or more in No Man's Land. Stafford has a terrible premonition of his wounding, and of his survival. However, when he is shot through both legs and crawls into a shell hole for safety he is stranded for 2 days, less than 20 yards from the Germans who he can clearly hear. He is saved finally by a reconnaisance patrol of British soliders from the unit which replaced the Liverpools after the attack. He describes their rescue attempts and their bravery, as well as the death of another soldier in the same shell hole. Finally he goes on to describe his treatment - including the chilling label pinned to his chest - Maggots! Private John Andrew Stafford, from Liverpool, served in the 5th Liverpool Regiment. His regiment number was 3083 (then 200947). His Medal Award card (online) shows he was eligible for the Victory medal and the British medal (reference H/2/102 B35 p4971), as well as the 1915 Star (reference H/2/7B p1598), and that he went overseas to France on 21 February 1915. Later he moved to Preston. He was awarded the MBE (Member of the British Empire) for services during the Second World War.John Andrew StaffordMemoirPreston53.763201,-2.7030899999999747
TRANSCRIPTION
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
PEOPLE
STORY INFO
TUTORIAL
1
COINCIDENCE
We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning. My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared. I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed. I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time". As I always held a strange belief that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded. On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to make our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme. In addition to carrying the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water.
Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action. So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally". If I have to be wounded, I had ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of things, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dressing station. Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick.
I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was now impossible to throw the feeling off. I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position. Some miles of winding communication trenches would have to be traversed, Death
- English (English)
1
COINCIDENCE
We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning. My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared. I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed. I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time". As I always held a strange belief that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded. On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to make our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme. In addition to carrying the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water.
Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action. So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally". If I have to be wounded, I had ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of things, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dressing station. Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick.
I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was now impossible to throw the feeling off. I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position. Some miles of winding communication trenches would have to be traversed, Death
Language(s) of Transcription
English Translation
COINCIDENCE
We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning.
My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared.
I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed.
I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time".
As I always held a strange belieg that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded.
On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to maek our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme.
In addition to carring the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water.
Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action.
So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally".
If I have to be wounded, I ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of thigns, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dresing station.
Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick.
I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was not impossible to throw the feeling off.
I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position.
Some miles of winding communications trenches would have to be traversed, Death
Transcription History
1 COINCIDENCE We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning. My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared. I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed. I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time". As I always held a strange belief that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded. On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to make our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme. In addition to carrying the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water. Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action. So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally". If I have to be wounded, I had ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of things, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dressing station. Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick. I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was now impossible to throw the feeling off. I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position. Some miles of winding communication trenches would have to be traversed, Death
COINCIDENCE We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning. My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared. I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed. I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time". As I always held a strange belief that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded. On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to make our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme. In addition to carrying the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water. Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action. So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally". If I have to be wounded, I had ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of things, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dressing station. Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick. I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was now impossible to throw the feeling off. I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position. Some miles of winding communication trenches would have to be traversed, Death
COINCIDENCE We were ordered to find a place to sleep and to be ready to move into action early the following morning. My pal and I luckily discovered a dug out which we shared. I had been at the front 18 months and had come through unscathed. I had a definite feeling, however, that the pending action would not be so kind to me and informed my pal of this saying "I shall be knocked out this time". As I always held a strange belieg that I would survive the war, my presentiment was, naturally, to the effect that I would be wounded. On mustering, by sections, the following morning, we learned that we were to cross a dangerous strip of land, known as "Death Valley" and to maek our way to a position in front of Trones Wood - The Somme. In addition to carring the usual 300 rounds of ammunition, 2 mills bombs, 2 very lights, iron rations etc., I was saddled with two petrol tanks which contained water. Being more or less an old campaigner, I realised the value of these tins and on trudging away, felt myself in a strange dilemma, for I was convinced I would be put out of action. So I made up my mind not to take the usual precautions when crossing "Death Vally". If I have to be wounded, I ruminated, why wait until you get into the teeth of thigns, it would be better for you and your pals if it happens nearer to the dresing station. Death Valley - a most appropriate name - was a suitable place, and a little carelessness on my part would do the trick. I was still possessed of my presentiment, and it was not impossible to throw the feeling off. I conjectured how long it would take to reach the dressing station from my present position. Some miles of winding communications trenches would have to be traversed, Death
English Translation
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