Ray Anderson from Darwin shares an original diary from WW1 written by his grandfather

Ray Anderson has an original WW1 diary written by his grandfather who served in the 29th Australian infantry Battalion, 8th Brigade, 1st AIF.

Ray Anderson has an original WW1 Diary written by his grandfather who served in the 29th

SCRAWLED in matter-of-fact prose in a diary nearly 100 years old are a Darwin family’s remarkable answers to a man they never knew, who never really existed and who never officially died.

The author is Lance Corporal Haerl James Andersson from “Endland”, names plucked from apparent obscurity by a man born Alfred Francis Simson in Concord, NSW in 1880.

Haerl, never to be Alfred again, would later become known to residents of Dorrigo, NSW – where he had secretly fled after serving on the Western Front in WWI – as Uncle Jim, or the “steam train”, on account of his gas-induced wheeze.

Ray Anderson has an original WW1 Diary written by his grandfather who served in the 29th Australian infantry Battalion, 8th Brigade, 1st AIF.

But little more was known of Haerl until 2004, when his Darwin-based grandson Ray Andersson, 60, and technically a Simson, began combing through the diary in a sometimes confronting journey to understand his family, his own distant father and himself.

“My father never had a ­father, so when I was growing up my father didn’t know how to act as a father, so I’ve probably overcompensated a bit,” Ray said.

“We’re very much focused on the family ... I’ve made sure I’m always there and I’m always a father.

“This diary has put things into perspective, helped me understand my family, understand why (Haerl) was the way he was.”

The diary entries, a mixed collection of horrors and day-to-day trivialities of life on the front with the 29th Infantry Battalion are abrupt and without flourish.

Ray is nearly finished transcribing the diary and has it mounted in his Nakara home with Haerl’s dog tags and small good luck charms.

The tags and trinkets only found their way back to the family after Ray’s public plea in the small Don Dorrigo Gazette on July 3, last year.

Ray Anderson has an original WW1 Diary written by his grandfather who served in the 29th Australian infantry Battalion, 8th Brigade, 1st AIF.

March 14 to April 4, 1917

An exciting incident. An Aussie, nicknamed “Bronco”, a deserter whose arrest “dead or alive” had been ordered, visited camp and joined in a game of football. Was recognised by camp Police and arrested after long chase in which shots exchanged. “Bronco” lodged in clink, missing next morning, means of escape impossible to ascertain.

October 12, 1917

Struck trouble, 4am, blown out of dugout by shell, visited by 5.9 and whizz bangs together, result buried, 20 minutes interred. Dug out by SGT Allison and Fatty Jose. Bruises all over, nerves shaken, luckily no open wounds, glasses and watch broken by concussion. Would not go to doctor. 6pm All hell let loose, shelled out of trench, took shelter in pill-box. Fritz shelled all night, our batteries reply, a hell of a night. Has 3 issues of gas, very shaky and queer. Heavy casualties in Battalion.

November 21, 1917

Was honoured by conversation with King Albert of Belgium. Did not know who he was until informed later. Things livelier since Bavarians moved in opposite us.

March 27, 1918

A quiet day, spent part of the day reading.

J uly 29, 1918

Got as far as Fritz outpost, then no pain, woke up to find a big Fritz over me, could speak English, thought it was up the spout for me, made sure I was off to berlin as Prisoner. Fritz asked for my field dressing, bound up my wound and walked me off cross country, was surprised to recognise by landmarks that we were behind our own lines, mentioned it to Fritz, who replied yes, I am your prisoner, and you must take me in ... got feed for Fritz there and then joined other prisoners and sent to rear.

November 11, 1918

Armistace Day is one never to be forgotten ... and at noon the guns opened out, rockets were sent up and the bells were rung. Every steamer in the river blew their whistles and the French population went mad, for about half an hour bedlam was loose, the din was traffic.