This diary reveals the change of attitudes that soldiers could undergo after seeing warfare up close. Initially a supporter of conscription, Claude Ewart changes his mind because of his experiences in France.

When the conscription issue is first raised, Ewart writes “I see by the papers that they have got conscription in Australia. It is time they done something to make the slackers do their bit. I think we have done our share.” However his opinion soon changes. Apparently reflecting on his experiences in the final stages of the 1916 Battle of the Somme, just a few weeks later Ewart writes “I am glad that they put conscription out because I would not vote to get anyone over here what I would like to get out of myself. All the soldiers voted to let them stay at home if they can’t come voluntary.”

Claude Ewart was a driver in the Australian Army. Originally from Tasmania, Ewart enlisted in the Australian army in Melbourne in 1915. He was injured several times while serving. Ewart survived these injuries, but died in France in 1919 after the end of the war.

Further Information

a bit but the poor brutes you would not believe me if I was to tell you what we have to go through. I am glad that they put conscription out because I would not vote to get anyone over here what I would like to get out of myself. All the soldiers voted to let them stay at home if they can’t come voluntary. We are putting eight weeks in this hole. I will be glad when we are out of it. I suppose we will have another Xmas here. I was living in hope of it being over by Xmas but no sign of it here. There are plenty of Fritz prisoners working about here on the roads. They are looked after better than us. We were a few days without cigarettes and no matches. Matches are worth money at the present time. We have got a few Francs with us but cannot buy anything with it. The weather has been terrible here lately, rain wind and sleet. The ground froze for a few days. Then the rain came on. It made it in an awful state. The poor horses are catching it. They get down in the mud and have to be shot. There has been a few Fritz planes over the last few days. We brought five or six of them down. I have been very bad with gastritis. I do not know how long we are going to stop here but it will be the end of the boys when they come out of this place. It is bitterly cold. Fritz shells our waggon lines nearly every day now but does very little damage. Received a letter from Miss M Gorrie. Was very pleased to get it. I wrote home to a few friends. I sent a few Xmas cards also. I don’t suppose they will get them by Xmas. Went up to the Bty with water.