Sadler John - Tommy at war: 1914-1918, the soldiers own stories

O ver the years we have learned a great deal, partly from contact with others in the field and partly from published and media sources. Anyone of our generation who has studied the Great War owes a debt to John Terraine, not just for his numerous published works but for his groundbreaking TV series, aired from the late summer of 1964 and which remains unsurpassed.

Amongst those other writers whose work has greatly expanded our own understanding and fuelled our enthusiasm we must number Martin Middlebrooks First Day of the Somme. It must be one of the most influential texts in terms of how many view military history. Alistair Hornes haunting account of Verdun remains by far the best. Alan Clerk, Peter Hart, Lyn MacDonald, Peter Ellis and numerous others deserve their place in the list. Amongst those whose personal empathy and knowledge have been invaluable we must cite Steve Shannon, Dr Barry Matthews, Dr Ian Matthews, Graham Trueman, Trevor Sheehan, Paul Thompson, Captain R. Sadler of the Royal Engineers and Captain S. Meadows of 2nd Gurkhas.

This book could not have been written without the generous assistance of a number of organisations and individuals, particular thanks are due to: Roberta Goldwater of A Soldiers Life and colleagues at Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums; Tony Goddard of the Border Regiment Museum at Carlisle; Ian Martin of the Kings Own Scottish Borderers Museum, Berwick-upon-Tweed; Trustees of the Green Howards Museum, Richmond; Trustees of the Durham Light Infantry Museum and Art Gallery; staff of Durham County Record Office; staff of Northumberland County Archives at Woodhorn; the Trustees of the Fusiliers Museum of Northumberland, Alnwick; colleagues at the North East Centre for Lifelong Learning at the University of Sunderland; staff at the Literary and Philosophical Library, Newcastle; Anna Flowers and colleagues at Central Libraries, Newcastle and Gateshead, Clayport Library Durham, Northumberland Libraries at Morpeth, Alnwick, Blyth, Hexham and Cramlington; to Glenn Baume and colleagues of the Heugh Gun Battery Trust Limited. We are also indebted to Lindsey and Colin Durward of Blyth Battery, Blyth, Northumberland; Peter Hart and the staff of the Imperial War Museum Sound Archive; Richard Groocock at the National Archive; Amy Cameron of National Army Museum; archive staff of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham; David Fletcher of the Tank Museum, Bovington; Rod Mackenzie of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum; Thomas B. Smyth of the Black Watch Museum; Paul Evans of the Royal Artillery Museum; curator and staff of the Royal Engineers Museum and Archives, Chatham; Peter Barton of La Boisselle Study Group; John Stelling, Anthony Hall and Henry Ross of North War Museum Project; Tony Ball of the Western Front Association; Jennifer Laidler for her grandfathers memoir; J. R. Keighley for his poem One Hundred Years, Samantha Kelly for original verse; Jan and Michael Crawley; Morag Miller and family; Mr and Mrs Cookson of Meldon Hall; Silvie Fisch; Gerry and Helen Tomlinson; Liz Clarke for bouncing ideas around so happily; The Womens Library. Special thanks are due to Kate Hordern, our indefatigable agent and to Jeremy Robson of The Robson Press for another successful collaboration.

Thanks must also be given to the staffs of various Great War museums and memorials across the breadth of the Western Front who have provided willing and friendly assistance over the years In Flanders Fields, Ypres; the Memorial Museum Passchendaele at Zonnebeke; Tyne Cot Cemetery Visitor Centre; Hooge Crater Museum; the Trench of Death, Diksmuide; Newfoundland Park Visitor Centre; Ocean Villas WWI and WWII Museum; Ulster Tower; Thiepval Visitor Centre; Museum of the South African Forces, Delville Wood; Historial de la Grande Guerre, Peronne; Somme 1916 Trench Museum, Albert; Vimy Memorial Park; Notre Dame de Lorette and the Wellington Tunnels, Arras.