American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Approximately 195 entries, the earliest from 16 January 1912 sporadically through 2 January 1934. Recorded in Charles Letts’s Improved Pocket Diary 1904. London: Charles Letts & Co., 1904. 32mo. Pre-printed diary pages. (Occasional toning.) Original printed boards (cracks to spine, slightly leaned, wear to extremities). Front board with manuscript title reading: “Keep / Rose Neville. / Useful + Important Dates / specially of War. / 1914-1918 + Seq. / 7 Mulberry Walk / Chelsea.” On the front free endpapers, Neville records important family dates as well as “titled members of the family.” The rear endpapers contain a timeline of Neville’s Red Cross service during World War I.

Rose Neville writes extensively of her involvement in World War I, particularly the air raids in London, the achievements of her friend pioneering aviatrix Amy Johnson, and a striking account of women’s suffrage in the United Kingdom including an entry recording her first time voting.

It is clear that Ms. Neville is from an upper-class family in early 20th-century Britain. She records a list of ten family members who are titled and often writes of notable visitors such as Bishop Arthur Winnington-Ingram: “Bishop of London came to console with Mother + me after Lionel's death" (17 February 1915). 

When war erupted in 1914, Neville recorded her observations and her enthusiasm for the War: "War declared by England against Germany because the latter against all treaties violated the neutrality of Belgium...watched train after train pass to the Coast loaded with troops + guns. Breathless tense excitement everywhere. We feared at first England wd be too indifferent under its Liberal Govt (Asquith) to enter the War." (4 August 1914). Shortly after the declaration, she joins the Red Cross, often referring to them as “Red+” or “R+”: “Amy + I enlisted at our Red+ Centre, Russian House Vale Avenue + were put on to lectures." (12 August 1914). Especially in the early war, Neville records battle reports: “British Troops engaged at Charleroi. Heavy fighting. 2000 British Casualties. The ‘Old Contemptibles'." (25 August 1914); "The long + gallant retreat of the British + French Armies ended today. Our heroic little Army has been terribly cut up at Mons." (6 September 1914). By 7 September 1914, she voices her skepticism of a swift conclusion: "The British + French Armies began to take the Offensive + the Germans to give ground...It is doubtful whether the War can finish by Xmas as some try to think."

Her diary includes several interesting entries regarding women in the war. She recounts an interesting story of a French woman serving on the front: "A French washerwoman aged 28 has been serving with the French Reg. of Zouaves + fought int he Battle at Meaux where she was wounded. On her sex being discovered she was sent home being warmly thanked by the Provost for her bravery." (15 September 1914).  She also includes a story of her own experience when her gender was seen as an impediment: "R escorted 20 men from Hosp to Guards Service. Chester Sq. church. Being the only woman present. It was for 'men only' + I had a hurried colloquy with the verger who wanted to pop me into the vestry. Finally, he tucked me away behind a pillar at the bottom of the church." (15 May 1915).

She also writes extensively of the German air raids in London, frequently noting the appearance of Zeppelins, one example reading: "Police rang up at 2 am to say 'Zeppelin over Chelsea' Miss Neville to report herself as Red+ worker at Police Station." (5 March 1916). She records a raid during Operation Turk’s Cross on 7 July 1917: "A whole flight of German aeroplanes made a daylight raid 10 am on London 22 of them. We saw the invaders for the first time, they looked like a flight of birds. Our 'anti' guns rattled around us." (7 July 1917). She records what would be the final and largest airplane raid of the war on 19 May 1918: “Whit Sunday. On Night duty at Free Mason's War Hosp. A great Air Raid was on for about 4 hrs. Wonderful sky illumination.”

After the War, the diary entries continue to include family and personal details, but also significant entries regarding the development of Women’s Suffrage in the United Kingdom. She writes with a distinct air of disbelief on 7 February 1918: "The Reform Bill (Woman Suffrage) giving Votes to Women (6,000,000) has at last actually passed both Houses of Parliament. Women Voters to be over 30 years of age. Reg saw the Bill as he is an MP. The long expected long worked for Vote." Later commenting on 23 October 1918: "Bill to make women eligible to sit in House of commons passed with little dissent. Wonders will never cease!" Her personal connection with the passage is marked on 14 December 1918 when she accounts her first election: "Memorable day. I voted for the first time in history for a Parliamentary Election + for a woman candidate too in Chelsea. A Miss Phipps (Independent) a very much-in-earnest, well educated woman. Amy + Kate also voted."

In addition to other entries regarding women in politics, art, and medicine, Miss Neville records some of the achievements of pioneering aviatrix Amy Johnson (1903-1941). On 11 June 1930, she records Johnson’s flight achievement: "Miss Amy Johnson flew from England to Australia alone. via India. First woman to do so. She encountered many difficulties had a great ovation + C.B.E. I think she ought to have been made 'Lady Johnson' in her own right for such an adventurous knightly deed." And on 20 November 1932 she writes: "Amy Johnson flew alone in her aeroplane to Cape Town in 4 days 6 1/2 hours, beating her husband (Mr Mollison's) record by 10 hours. + all previous ones. She is a most plucky woman." 

A REMARKABLE WOMAN’S PERSPECTIVE OF WORLD WAR I AND WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE.