Personal Papers

Frank West - Lt.-Col. 4th South Midland Brigade (How.) R.F.A. A Record of the Great War compiled by his widow, Agatha West.

Printed for Private Circulation 1921 and now on line as a pdf by the University of California. A Record of the Great War 1914-I916

A memorial book incorporating some of Frank West's guarded and resolutely cheerful letters to his wife and also quoting letters from Barlow, Frank West's groom, who had served with him and was with him when he died.

Frank West's Diary 1915-1916 The personal diary kept by Frank West while serving at the front.

Agatha West visits the Somme 1920 In 1920 Agatha West visited the Somme in the company of Barlow and wrote to her mother about the experience.

The War Diary of Reginald Pridmore. A handwritten copy of the diary kept at the front by the sportsman, Reginald Pridmore, for March - Dec 1915 and 1916 was among the papers left by Frank West. Every effort has been made to trace the heirs and copyright holders of Pridmore's manuscript and any missing diary for 1917 and 1918, but without success. Pridmore and his two sisters died childless.

Reunion Photos belonging to Arthur Hamnett. Arthur Hamnett's pictures from the front have been added to the album of those preserved by Frank West. But he also preserved a group photo of the Battery Old Comrades Reunion in 1937, together with a list of the people present and a key to their places in the picture.

Papers belonging to Gunner William Jones who enrolled and trained with the 4th South Midland service no 977 and served at the front in 106 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery. William Jones was particularly good with the horses and was able to hire an army horse after the war.

Gunner on the Somme, a memoir by Gunner William Price.

Typescript in the archive of the Imperial War Museum, London, which its author had intended for publication.

Price was identified by Evelyn and Christopher Wilcock as serving in the 240 Brigade Royal Field Artillery. His manuscript was transcribed and researched by them and copyright traced.

Published 2016 by History Press with introduction and notes by Mark Pottle.

The History Press - Gunner on the Somme by William Price