ISBN: 0 9515917 3 8 SB 179 pp £10.99
Published by Owl Press.
This little book outlines the diaries of Erskine Williams, bandsman in the 11th
Division. Erskine was in his mid thirties when he attested under the Derby
Scheme. He had been something of a child prodigy, touring music halls with his
father drawing likenesses, and dressed in a flamboyant costume covered in
medals. Until his enlistment he worked for his father in the family
signwrighting business.
Erskine was prone to headaches throughout his life, and at times found training
difficult. He wrote frequently to his father, and many examples of his letters
and cards with their charming and often very funny illustrations are found
throughout the book.
Once in
As well as playing the oboe and violin for the band at various events, and
getting well fed for their labours, the bandsmen were also called on to assist
in burial parties, something which had a profound effect on Erskine.
Although he did not see any fontline action, Erskine sometimes came pretty
close to enemy shelling and aerial bombardment.
Throughout the book, Erskines lovely drawings bring to life a very different
aspect of the war, from pictures of his fellow bandsmen, their billets, the
Pierrots in the concert party to amusing sketches of Erskines life in the Army.
Erskines daughter, Daphne Jones, had edited her fathers diaries, with supporting
information taken from War Diaries, and Regimental Histories.
Although the book has been out of print for some time since its publication in
1992, there are plans to reprint it, and also to market as a DVD the short
television series that was made from the diaries, and shown on Channel 4 in
1998, entitled Armistice Diary
Reviewer: Michelle Young
