World War One diary of William Glyn Jones,Salonika (excerpt June-July 1918)

Disgrifiad

Diary of 48959 Private Jones, W. RAMC, 52 Gen Hospital, Salonika.
10 June – 4 July 1918

Frame of Mind

In this extract from his diary we can detect William Glyn Jones’ feelings of uncertainty as to his situation in the RAMC with many men being relocated and his dread of Welsh ‘Theo’ students being called into the infantry.

11 June ‘Hear that all A men from adjoining hospitals are to be sent away this week. No news here yet. What is it for?’
14 June…hear that many men(A&B)from the 43rd and 50th (hospitals) are off to GBD to form 2 hospitals in France

Yet, despite this uncertainty he adopts a more optimistic frame of mind, especially as rumours of peace emerge….
11 June What will the week bring I wonder? I am not discouraged – I trust all will be well in His keeping….Take a walk by myself and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is well to have a quiet hour & commune with the unseen. Felt an inward peace. Rumours of peace offensive.

However, any optimism is quickly shattered….
13 June Notification that W Theo students are not exempt from Infantry, ‘ The War Office have no objections to Welsh Theo students being transferred to Infantry’. /such is the honour of the English Government ! Here is a body of men trained for preaching the Gospel of Peace enlisted specially for RAMC whom the War Office now allow to be transferred to Infantry! It needs no comments. No wonder are getting fed up with them. Our people say they will not fight.

Inner Peace

Jones’ capacity to find ‘inner peace’ and gain solace from his surroundings is clear…

12 June Glorious morning. Take a short walk before parade; have view of Olympus clothed in mist but with its peak glistening in the morning sunshine.
26 June Take a walk through the cornfield. Greeks busy cutting corn; how primitive this method; few here and there with sickle; asses carry sheaves away.
28 June….Beautiful sunset made the dark clouds reddish-gold – parable.

Welsh links

As in the previous extract we are constantly reminded by Jones that his links with friends and family in Wales are of upmost importance to him. He notes …

30 June…A man from 49 GHP, Evans, Treherbert called to see if Welsh service is still held. His enthusiasm for service touches me. Fancy riding 8 kilometres to find out a service- and that in the army. Truly God has His faithful servants in the land.

20 June read Goronwy Owen; what a treat it was to read good Welsh.

‘Tyranny of Militarism’

Jones’ heckles rise in the face of ‘the tyranny of militarism’ and the army’s unfairness in the treatment of ‘ordinary ‘men in comparison to their so-called ‘superiors’.
4 July.. CO on his mad stunt last night- cursed every man- called them all names…..It appears that an effort is made to make it as uncomfortable as possible for the men…..The men are supposed to be in good spirits & not disheartened according to the papers. It’s a pity these men were not compelled to spend a few weeks in a unit like this. No wonder there is dissatisfaction everywhere. What muddle-headed fools they are. They can’t see that a unit which respects and has confidence in their superiors is worth a dozen which is made to work under threat and fears…