THE relative of a First World War veteran is giving a talk and presentation about a battle diary dated from 1915 to 1918.
David Venner, from Bridgwater, is the son of Elizabeth Venner, a farmer’s wife, who managed to escape Buenos Aires when the Falklands War started and the Argentine authorities froze most of her family assets.
She managed to smuggle her uncle Albert Simpkin’s diary out of the country with her, which provides a graphic record of life and death on the Western Front.
She also found a trench map, some photographs and Albert’s medals – including his Military Medal for gallantry at the Battle of Arras.
Albert’s during his life as a motorcycle despatch rider enabled him to witness much more than his fellow men who were restricted to the trenches, as described in the extracts from his diary.
The book also contains anecdotes about Albert’s fellow soldiers, as well as critical comments on the strategies and tactics of the officers.
David Venner will be giving an illustrated talk and signing copies of the Diary at Brendon Books, Bath Place, Taunton at 7pm on Thursday July 30.
*The Battle of Arras was a British offensive in April and May 1917.
British, Canadian, South African, New Zealand and Australian troops attacked German defences near the French city of Arras.
There were major gains on the first day, followed by stalemate.
The battle cost nearly 160,000 British casualties and about 125,000 German casualties.
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