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.

In May, 1917 Jack Halstead was still in the French village of Vaux after being sent there to provide equipment for officers' training.

n Long walks we used to make. Sometimes 16 miles during the evening.

Many passed the whole night playing cards, and many a night we preferred sleeping out rather than in the barn.

And so the days went by. Nothing very exciting happened.

- May 26, 1917.

- Gun inspection a busy day.

- May 27, 1917.

- Washing wagons.

- May 28, 1917,

- Sorting amo.

- May 29, 1917

- Inspection. Afternoon walk into Allis sur Somme. A pretty village. Had quite a good time.

Every dinner time a funny little fellow (he seemed all trousers) came to Vaux on a bicycle selling copies of the Continental Daily Mail, blowing his horn to warn us of his approach. He always visited us in the gun sleds.

- June 3, 1917.