| Description | Cecil Harmsworth's 'T.J. & J. Smith's One Day Octavo Scribbling Diary' for 1917. Includes note at the front of the diary: 'Revised CH August 1927 & finally (June 1936))' and explanatory pencil notes throughout the diary, presumably added by Cecil Harmsworth before the diary was copied by Isobel Nicholson.
Includes entries relating to time spent with friends and family; social engagements; proceedings in the House of Commons, including debating and voting on the National Service Bill, the Representation of the People Bill, and compulsory rationing; the First World War; meetings with parliamentary colleagues; a visit to a training camp for tanks in Wool, Dorset (16 Mar); committee meetings, including for the Fish Food and Motor Loan Committee; a service at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the entry of the United States of America (USA) into the war; a request from David Lloyd George for Cecil Harmsworth to be Chief Whip, which Harmsworth declines (01 May); a request from David Lloyd George for Cecil Harmsworth to join the Prime Minister's Secretariat, which Harmsworth accepts (02 May); Harmsworth's work as a member of the Prime Minister's Secretariat, focusing on food, shipping and National Service; air raids on London (13 Jun, 02 Oct, 18 Dec); the first contingent of American soldiers marching through London (16 Aug); the Irish Convention; and Christmas.
Contains several pasted-in items, including newspaper clippings; a photograph of the Harmsworth children's 'camp' in the garden at Henley; a menu for a dinner at Dr Johnson's House; and correspondence.
Contains several inserted items in an envelope at the back of the diary, including newspaper clippings and a polling day card for Cecil Harmsworth in the General Election 1918. |