Tag Archives: Joe

Joe Wiseman was a close friend of Arthur Linfoot and was married to his elder sister, Mary, known to the family as “Marmie“. See Family page.

22 November 1918; Friday

Up about 6 o’clock. Had breakfast at the canteen and paraded early. Crossed by 11 o’clock 1 and arrived in London shortly after 3. Had tea at the Y M hut and left by the 5.302. Came up most of the way with an engineer chap. Arrived at midnight and found Joe and Father waiting for me.


  1. 11 o’clock: Presumably the 11am sailing from Boulogne (A) to Folkestone? 

  2. 5.30: presumably the 17:30 train from London (B) to Sunderland (C). 

5 July 1918; Friday

Up at about 6.30. On parade. Spent morning at squad drill and a short march. Paraded at 8 o’clock. Went for bath in the stream in the afternoon. Did a little French. Read 3 essays by William James1 on releasing the energies of men2 and habit† 3 and found them exceptionally good. Wrote letter to Joe, called in to see Sergeant Powell and went for short walk. Changed billet.


  1. William James (January 11, 1842 – August 26, 1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist, and the first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States. 

  2. The Energies of Men is an essay by William James, published c. 1907. The full text is available here

  3. Habit, if correct, may refer to William James’ book, Habit, apparently published c. 1887. 

29 October 1917; Monday

Up about 9 o’clock. Went up to see Mr Eaves1. Wrote to Harvey’s brother and wrote up diary.

[Diary reverts to pencil at this point – obviously written up after ALL’s return to France.]

Sister Annie2 called at night and we had a long argument on men – whether they are as good as parsons think they are or not. She stayed until 7 o’clock. I had supper and then we all went up to the station. I left by the 9.15. †Annie Freeman† at the station to see Teddie Tudor† off but he wasn’t going. †Dee Frere† and Hilda3 there. Called on Granny in the afternoon just after tea. Jack at the station too and Joe.

Left Sunderland 9.15 for Newcastle. Arrived Newcastle about 10 and left again after an hour4. Got good seat in the train.


  1. Edward Eaves was a minister at the South Durham Street United Methodist Free Church. According to the diary, ALL had written to Mr Eaves twice, on 28 December 1916 and 28 May 1917, the latter shortly after Mr Mullens, another minister at the church, had died, presumably to offer condolences. Mr Eaves had officiated at Mr Mullens’ funeral. 

  2. “Sister Annie” is also named as a mourner at the funeral of Mr Mullens on 23 May 1917. See also note on 28 December 1916

  3. It is unclear which Hilda this may have been. 

  4. The map shows the first part of ALL’s journey back to France, from Sunderland (A) to London (C) on an overnight train, via Newcastle (B).