Harrowing pocket diary of a First World War gunman who survived the Somme reveals the solemn reality of the conflict’s victims

The gripping pocket diary of a World War I gunner describes the solemn reality of life on the front line.

Rifleman Timothy Elliott went over the top with the 9th Battalion City of London Queen Victoria Rifles in the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916.

Britain’s bloodiest battle in military history claimed the lives of 125,000 soldiers. Elliott solemnly reflected on “the few that were left” after the first day of battle.

The victims included more than 200 soldiers from the London Regiment of the Queen Victoria Rifles.

His diary, meticulously completed every day between 1914 and 1918, has come to light from a secret source after 105 years.

Britain’s bloodiest battle in military history claimed the lives of 125,000 soldiers. Elliott solemnly reflected on “the few that were left” after the first day of battle

One extract from July 1, 1916 reads: ‘Charged at 7.30 in the morning, three German lines were taken. But in the afternoon they retired, or rather, the few that were left.”

The next day there was heavy German shelling and the men withdrew from their ‘battered’ line.

On September 8, 1916, as the Battle of the Somme reached a stalemate, Elliott was wounded in the face by a shell.

After a stint in a military hospital, he returned to the front line, but his morale was affected.

He describes a sense of anxiety as large numbers of troops built up ahead of the major offensive at Passchendaele from July to November 1917.

In August 1917 he wrote: ‘The mud is terrible. Hardly any trenches, just a ton of shell holes. The Hun artillery is playing hell with our lines.’

Elliott, who served on the Western Front from June 1915 until the end of the war, also wrote about the famous trench rats that plagued both British and German soldiers.

There is a rush of relief as he writes simply on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918: ‘Hurrah! The war is over!’

Elliott went over the top with the 9th Battalion City of London Queen Victoria Rifles on 1 July 1916

Elliott, who served on the Western Front from June 1915 until the end of the war, also wrote about the famous trench rats

The diary was discovered after 105 years by a secret source. His diary was meticulously completed from 1914 to 1918

(Image: Elliot’s diary begins in 1914) There is a flood of relief when, on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, he writes simply: ‘Hurrah! The war is over!’

The diary and photographs have been offered for sale at C&T Auctions in Ashford, Kent, for £8,000.

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, said: ‘This is an amazing series of diaries that really capture the feeling and hardship of the battle on the Western Front.’

During the Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July to November 1916, an estimated 125,000 British soldiers were killed.

On September 8, 1916, as the Battle of the Somme reached a stalemate, Elliott was wounded in the face by a shell.

Timothy Elliott pictured with his wife. After a stint in a military hospital, he returned to the front line, but his morale was affected

The diary has been offered for sale at C&T Auctions in Ashford, Kent, for £8,000.

Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, said: ‘This is an amazing series of diaries that really capture the feeling and hardship of the battle on the Western Front.

“So many diaries provide very little battle detail, but these diaries are full of interesting contributions.”

During the Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July to November 1916, an estimated 125,000 British soldiers were killed.

The sale will take place on Wednesday.