Preface

The verse on the front cover is in the diary for August 9th 1916 (Polls Birthday), Composer unknown.

The diary is written in 5 noteboks, one book for each period between leave in England. Each book was written in pencil, each page closely covered on both sides. This transcript of the diaries was copied out word for word by his son Richard John Roads.

THE DIARIST

Bombardier. Alfred Edward Roads. 18360 R.G.A.
Born December 20^th 1884.
At Elizabeth Villa, Margaret Road, New Barnet, Herts.
Married March 17^th 1913 to Mabel Filler, of Codicote, Herts. (Polly)
Children
Enlisted 7^th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. No. 2493 on the 27.1.1902
Purchased out 23^rd January 1903
Re-enlisted 26^th January 1904. 40^th Bty Royal Garrison Artillery No. 18360
Stationed At home. Mauritius and Sierra Leone.
With Colours. 9 years. Abroad 4 years 39 days.
Transfer to Reserve 25.1.1913
Joined Tramways 1913. As Tramways conductor.
Remobilised 6.8.1914. Joined 40^th Bty R.G.A. at Shoreham.
Landed in France 15.2.1915 with 121 Heavy Bty Royal Garrison Artillery.
Promoted To Lance/Bombardier 16.2.1918. To Bombardier 7.8.1918.
Army of Occupation 26.11.1918 to 10.1.1919
Demobilisation Transferred to reserve 5.4.1919.
Rejoined Tramways 1919. As Tram and Trolley Bus Conductor.
Retired 1949.

He Broke both his legs in a car accident, at Pricklers Hill Whetstone, in the early 1930`s. These caused him great discomfort later. He died on the 29^th July 1952 Aged 67. Mabel (Polly) died on 22^nd May 1976 Aged 88.

BATTLES OF THE GREAT WAR

1914
August 4^th Great Britain declares war on Germany.
August 23^rd Battle of Mons.
September5^th-9^th Battle of the Marne.
October 12^th - November 11^th 1^st Battle of Ypres.
1915
April 22^nd- May 25^th 2^nd Battle of Ypres.
May 7^th Battle of Aubers Ridge.
1916
July 1^st - November 13^th Battle of The Somme.
September 15^th Tanks used for the first time by the British.
1917
April 9^th- 14^th Battle of Arras.
April 10^th Vimy Ridge taken by Canadians.
June 7^th Messines Ridge taken by British.
July 31^st 3^rd Battle of Ypres.
October 4^th British Victory on Passchendale Ridge.
November 6^th Passchendale taken by British.
1918
March 21^st The 1^st German offensive against British opened on The Somme.
March 21^st- April 4^th Battle of Arras.
April 9^th- 25^th The 2^nd German offensive against British.
Aug 8^th British, Canadians and Australians attack in Front of Amiens.
September 26^th General Allied offensive in the West began.
November 11^th Armistice signed by Germany.
December 16^th The Diarist arrives in Bonn with occupation force (Canadian).