Personal diaries of Field Marshal Lord William Birdwood

Described by Charles Bean as "short and dapper in figure, a vigorous, brave, upright and understanding leader of fighting men", William Birdwood commanded the Australian Corps for much of the First World War.

Diary entries begin from 1 January 1915 when Birdwood was stationed in Cairo. The diary records his visits to Imbros and Mudros in March 1915 and preparations for the landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. Other entries record the Turkish counter attacks and the armistice of May 1915, Lord Kitchener’s visit to Gallipoli and receipt of the message to evacuate Gallipoli. At the back of the diary are more comments regarding the landing on 25 April, events of 8 August and the evacuation from Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay. The diary concludes on 2 January 1916.