Great War Diary, of Battery Sergeant-Major E. Cutler, Royal Field Artillery, K.I.A. in France on 25 July 1916; consisting of two notebooks with pencil entries, fairly good condition (lot) £150-200

Edward Cutler was born in and enlisted at Maidenhead, Berkshire. Serving as 33256 Battery Sergeant-Major with “B” Battery, 1170th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, he was killed in action, France/Flanders, on 25 July 1916. He was buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l’Avoue, France.

The two notebooks are both named to the recipient and inscribed on the front page, ‘To be forwarded to Mr F. Bosworth, 70 Lovely Lane Warrington, Lancs.’ (see also lot 886). The entries, sometimes dated but often lacking either a month or year, cover the recipient’s experiences from the start of the war, in France during August 1914, then of the sea journey from England to Egypt during December 1915 (?), returning then to France in March 1916 (?); the last entry in his book being dated 24th (July 1916), the day before his death in action.

He wrote of the battle of Le Cateau (25-27 August 1914), ‘We go into action at 3.30 a.m. in the centre of 5th Division. A battery of heavies support us in rear. To our right is a cathedral with a big clock tower on top. ... From the right flank can feel the bullets cutting the air as I sit on top of my horse. Come back down again to the wagon and go across to the farrier when bang comes a shell about 5 yds from my team. If it had exploded my no. would have been up. We had the whole of the attack to bear. The shell fire of the Germans was very ? They put three of our guns out with direct hits. We succeeded in holding them back till 12.30 when we had to retire. We lost about 12 men in this action’.

Of the sea journey to Egypt, ‘14(th December 1915?) ... All my officers are ill and no assistance from any one. We shot off at a tangent about 10.30 p.m. and a couple of my fellows got thrown out of there (sic) bunks. 15(th) Suppose to have been chased last night by a submarine. We have 3 of our guns on deck in case of a visit but unless the weather gets a bit easier I dont think we shall be much good. ...’

Sold with an original letter and envelope, dated 10 March 1919, addressed to Mr F. Bosworth of 70 Lovely Lane, Warrington:

‘Sir, Having just got home from France I have time to write to let you know I have a book I have carried with me belonging to poor Ted Cutler. As it has your name in it I know you will no doubt prize it. I was with Ted when he got killed also at his funeral ..... I will forward this book .... Sergt. J. F. Wilkes, 20 Uxbridge St, Edge Hill, Liverpool’.

Also with an original postcard photograph of the recipient and two photographs of his named grave cross.