A transcription and commentary of diaries kept by LC Cecil Duncan 8/1059 1st Div Otago Infantry Btln

This project covers the experience of an Otago infantryman who describes his training in New Zealand, his journey to Egypt, living and training in Egypt, Gallipoli, his wounding and serving as an orderly on a hospital ship to Southampton, his experiences in the VAC hospitals and recuperation centres in the stately homes of Warwickshire, wartime London and relatives in Lancashire.

It is a story that takes one away from the common perception of a war of mud, trenches and muddled majors and describes through the diarist not just the hardships of training – but the satisfaction of it and – at least until the fighting gets too bloody awful – the satisfaction of fighting; something that is no longer part of our youths’ docile and sedentary lifestyle.