JACK Halstead was Royston born and bred. His diary was kept during the First World War while he was serving on the Western Front. Copies of the diary – Jack s War – are available from Royston & District Museum, and by taking this article to the museum it

JACK Halstead was Royston born and bred. His diary was kept during the First World War while he was serving on the Western Front.

Copies of the diary - Jack's War - are available from Royston & District Museum, and by taking this article to the museum it is on sale at the reduced purchase price of £15.

- Another visit to Amiens, this time without a pass. With a bit of scheming we passed the sentries over fences and backgardens.

We went to the swimming bath and had quite a game with the Frenchmen.

Took tram back to Monterries. Squared the French sentries with tobacco and walked back to Vaux via Allis sur Somme.

During the walk, we raided a cherry tree in a garden. The owner spotted us.

- June 15, 1917.

- A busy day giving demonstrations to classes of officers. Taking the buffers down. Several of them wishing for further knowledge asked me if they could take it down themselves afterwards. This they did, although it was Sunday. The tips received made it worth the trouble. The detachment always thankfully received such windfalls.

- June 16, 1917