Diary Kept by Rifleman B. C. Stubbs of the Second Draft Sent to the Queen Victoria Rifles in France

Through the eyes of a young rifleman, this diary captures a fresh soldier’s first weeks in the Great War. Beginning with a hurried departure from London and a series of comically delayed embarkations, the entries blend routine details—haircuts, cinema outings, and a stubborn toothache—with the palpable anticipation of crossing the Channel. The writer’s straightforward prose and occasional wry humor give a vivid sense of the ordinary life that preceded the looming battlefields.

Once ashore in France, the soldier records the cramped ship decks, the noisy Seine journey, and the relentless march to an unfamiliar camp. He notes the camaraderie of his fellow men, the stark weather, and simple comforts like a hot cup of coffee after days of bully beef. These snapshots offer modern listeners an intimate portrait of the early wartime experience, where daily chores and small pleasures coexist with the uncertainty of what lies ahead.