| Description | Cecil Harmsworth's 'Collins' Royal Diary' for 1918. Includes note at the front of the diary: 'Finally reviewed CH July 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; the Irish Convention; the Garden Cities Association and meetings with Ebenezer Howard; meetings with parliamentary colleagues; Emilie Harmsworth's work as a nurse (06 Jan); a visit from Ebenezer Howard (16 Jan); food difficulties at Eton College (23 Jan); air raids (29 Jan, 07 Mar, 09 Mar); the death of his newphew, Vyvyan, the son of Harold Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Rothermere (12 Feb); the death of John Redmond (06-08 Mar); the Spring Offensive (21 Mar); the First World War; Harmsworth's work as a member of the Prime Minister's Secretariat (including detailed reflections on his work and David Lloyd George in the entry for 22 May); the application of military conscription to Ireland; the resignation of Alfred Harmsworth, 1st Viscount Northcliffe, from the Air Ministry (25 Apri); proceedings in the House of Commons; the Belgian Relief [Commission for Relief in Belgium]; political duties in his constituency of Luton; the end of the First World War and the Armistice; travel to France (Nov); the beginning of the general election campaign (25 Nov), general election polling day (14 Dec), counting of the votes (27 Dec); and Christmas.
Contains several pasted-in items, including newspaper clippings and a rationing order from the Ministry of Food.
Contains several inserted items, including a list of 'Points of special interest' within the diary; newspaper clippings; a railway warrant; an address 'From the Chancellor of the Exchequer to YOU' concerning ration books; correspondence; a letter from Lloyd George recognising Harmsworth as the Coalition candidate for the Luton Division; a typed report entitled 'Visit to G.H.Q. Wednesday 13th Nov. 1918'; and an address from Cecil Harmsworth to the soldiers and sailors of the Royal Navy and Mercantile Marine concerning the South Bedfordshire Parliamentary Election in 1918. |