WWI two diaries kept by Lance Corporal Herbert S Crews, of the 6th Battalion London Regiment, the first undated, but probably before 1916, the second dated to 1916 with numerous entries, recording battles, bombardments, life on the front line etc: ‘...Sun 16: Heavy bombardment still going on from last night 10 p/c in reserve trenches surrounded by our artillery shelled all day ...Tues 18 the Germans had the range of Willow Rd almost to a yard. Over our boots in mud and water & falling over dead & wounded had 4 or 5 shells go over my head about 2ft above & explode within 1 doz yards. Even mother would be unable to recognise me this morning. 14 killed (2 officers). Lance Corporal Crews, who won the Military Medal for his bravery, did not survive the war. He was killed in Flanders on June 6th 1917, and has no known grave. His name appears on panel 54 of the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.