Now history books on the Great War come in all shapes and sizes, from the very erudite and closely researched to the scrap book compiled by an eleven year old in London during 1915.
And who is to say which is better?
The great study will of course offer up insights and perhaps new interpretations, but the scrap book has an immediacy and authenticity which transports you back to one small boy’s war.
And so it is with this scrap book which has been acquired by my old friend David Harrop and was produced by H J Bain.
Harold James, was born in 1903 to James and Ethel Minnie who were living in Leahurst Road and he was baptised at St Mary’s in Lewisham.
Mr Bain was a bookseller and by 1911 there were in Brighton but were back in London at 78 Manor Park by 1914.
Soon after the war broke out young Harold began compiling his scrap book from newspaper cuttings, which were stuck into a note book, and meticulously included a content page.
Here are the stories of enemy air raids, of a Zeppelin shot down, of ships sunk at sea and a page of badges and stickers including one for Lewisham Soldiers Christmas Pudding Fund, 1916.
And amongst the collection there are more than a few references to Canada, including the news account of a fire in the Canadian Parliament caused by an “INCENDIARY BOMB .... IN THE READING ROOM .....TWO LADY GUESTS AND FOUR MEN PERISH”
I have yet to see all of the book, but it was on display at Central Ref as part of David’s exhibition, “In Flanders Fields” and will run into November two years ago.*
It is a very personal view of the war, seen through the eyes of a boy, and as you do I was curious to know more about young Harold James, but you should always be careful of what you wish for, because he died in March 1917.
I might go looking for the cause of his death, but I rather think not, instead I will leave the scrap book as his legacy and his footprint.
Location; London, 1914-1917
Pictures; from the scrap book of Harold James Bain, 1903-1917, courtesy of David Harrop
*In Flanders Fields Central Reference Library, St Peters Square, Manchester, September 17 into November, 2018
The great study will of course offer up insights and perhaps new interpretations, but the scrap book has an immediacy and authenticity which transports you back to one small boy’s war.
And so it is with this scrap book which has been acquired by my old friend David Harrop and was produced by H J Bain.
Harold James, was born in 1903 to James and Ethel Minnie who were living in Leahurst Road and he was baptised at St Mary’s in Lewisham.
Soon after the war broke out young Harold began compiling his scrap book from newspaper cuttings, which were stuck into a note book, and meticulously included a content page.
Here are the stories of enemy air raids, of a Zeppelin shot down, of ships sunk at sea and a page of badges and stickers including one for Lewisham Soldiers Christmas Pudding Fund, 1916.
I have yet to see all of the book, but it was on display at Central Ref as part of David’s exhibition, “In Flanders Fields” and will run into November two years ago.*
Location; London, 1914-1917
Pictures; from the scrap book of Harold James Bain, 1903-1917, courtesy of David Harrop
*In Flanders Fields Central Reference Library, St Peters Square, Manchester, September 17 into November, 2018
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