People

Born April 28, 1886, near Northampton, England. A boxer in his youth. After losing his sweetheart Nell to tuberculosis in 1912, he wanted to get as far from that grief as possible. He flipped a coin between Australia and Canada. Canada won, and he landed in Winnipeg. There he heard a girl named Isabelle sing in choir at church, and that was that. He converted to Catholicism as an engagement present for her. Volunteered for service and went overseas with the 12th Canadian Field Ambulance at age 30. He carried stretchers at the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele, and spent the last months of the war running the orderly room. He survived the war and died on February 8, 1964.

Also called: Jack

Present on every page.

John's girl back in Winnipeg. He writes to her constantly, worries about her health, and lives for her letters. Mentioned on more pages than any other person.

Also called: B., the dear kid, my chum

John's constant partner through the war. They carry stretchers together at the Somme, Vimy, and Passchendaele, share food, go on leave together, and end up running the orderly room side by side. Promoted to Sergeant in May 1918. Wounded at Passchendaele. Notably unreliable on raids (twice runs under fire) but John never holds it against him.

Also called: Bert, Dent, Nert

John's brother, originally from England near Northampton. Enlisted and served in France, stationed at Arras during the 1918 German offensive. Became engaged to Daisy Bradford in September 1917 while on leave in England. Survived the war.

One of John's first close friends in France. They go on leave together and share supplies. Bill gives John a spare gas mask during a gas alarm, possibly saving his life. A dugout near the Somme is named Creightonville after him. Appears frequently in 1916 before John's circle shifts.

Also called: Bill

The unit's O.C. for much of the diary. John resents his political connections, blaming them for Gordon avoiding dangerous postings while the men suffer. Sent to hospital with diphtheria. Later incapacitated by gas. Occasionally shows concern for the men's welfare, but John views him with suspicion.

Also called: O.C. Gordon, Capt Gordon

An NCO John despises. Sharpe reports John, witnesses against him, lounges around while others work, and sends men on dangerous tasks he avoids himself. Later promoted, to John's disgust. One of the diary's recurring villains.

Also called: S.S.S., Spotter Sharpe, Sergt Sharpe

A reliable friend throughout the diary. Goes on outings with John, lends him boots, plays cards together, and serves in rearguard parties. One of the steady presences in John's inner circle from the Somme through to 1918.

A nickname John gives to a squad member who avoids work at every opportunity. Fakes an ankle injury to stay out of the Somme, sleeps through gas guard, and does not do a darned thing. John carries his share repeatedly. A recurring source of frustration at Vimy Ridge.

A fellow soldier John works alongside in the early months. They share daily routines. Ella writes to Will saying Belle is getting thin, a detail that worries John greatly.

Also called: Will

A dependable squad member who appears throughout the diary. Walking behind Wallace Small when Wally is killed by a direct hit, Charlie takes two pieces of shrapnel in the back. Returns from hospital and continues serving. Wounded again at Passchendaele.

Also called: Charlie

Leads parties into the line and earns John's respect. Pours water on burning shells at the Somme. Receives the Military Medal, though John thinks he deserved a D.C.M. Wounded and sent to C.C.S. Later appears as a driver.

Also called: Griff, Gruff

An officer who joins the unit before France and gives lectures. Leads operations at Bells Pit during the Regina Trench attack on the Somme. A recurring authority figure through 1916-1917.

Also called: Bell

A frequent partner on stretcher carries during the heavy fighting at Vimy and Lens. Works closely with John through multiple tours. Promoted in May 1918. Described as decent, high praise in this diary.

Also called: Corpl Tait, J. Tait

A fellow soldier and bandsman who plays the big drum. John goes out with him regularly when out of the line. Promoted in May 1918. Connected to the social side of army life rather than the fighting.

Also called: Tom, Tom S

An ex-officer's cook assigned to John's squad at the Burkes Hole relay post near Angres. Prepares meals but is unreliable: caught asleep on gas guard, slides off in the afternoon when he should be working. John manages him with exasperation and pragmatism.

Also called: Merry

A member of John's squad at Burkes Hole. Reliable: covers extra gas guards when sick, takes cases in bad weather. Falls ill with a fever but pushes through. A solid, quiet presence.

Also called: Stan

Present at several key moments. A dud shell nearly kills John and Capt Mustard together. Later wounded in the head. Oversees dressing work at the A.D.S. during the Vimy period.

John's orderly room colleague from 1918 onwards. They compile evacuation lists, set up offices in chateaux and farm buildings, and try to sleep through shelling together. Eventually breaks down from the strain; John notes he suffers episodes.

Visits the men at their posts, brings up relief parties, and plays cards with them. Dies of wounds at Passchendaele.

Also called: Chuck

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Early in the diary he steals a collie dog as a unit mascot. By 1918 he joins the orderly room alongside John and Bert. A long-serving member of the unit.

Killed by a direct hit while returning from Mc'Inorville on the Somme. Charlie Duncan, walking just behind him, takes shrapnel in the back. One of the first named losses among John's close circle.

Also called: Wally

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Visits John at his post to play cards. Killed in action at Passchendaele. His name appears on the casualty list that records the unit losing 47 of 103 men.

Also called: Dicky, Dick

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Serves as ration guard on the supply train and in various squads. Awarded the Military Medal. Killed in action at Passchendaele.

Also called: Charlie, C. Lovatt

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A regular squad member who goes to Bailleul with John, digs shell holes, and serves in various squads. A steady, recurring presence without the drama of some of the diary's other characters.

She died of tuberculosis on February 8, 1912. He still marks her birthday (January 30) and the anniversary of her death in his diary, years later.

Private William Jones Hughes, from Winnipeg. Not to be confused with Sam, John's brother. Mentioned once by his full name when he was killed April 14, 1918 while acting as a runner to Captain Maynard.

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