Donate

Rescuing the past

Published
22 March 2023

Brotherhood Books receives tens of thousands of donated books, but recently they received a piece of lost family history.

In November 1916, digger James Leslie Robinson was a stretcher bearer and ambulance driver during the chaotic and bloody Battle of the Somme. At 20 years old, he was a long way from his home and kept a small, leatherbound diary where he described being up to his neck in mud and under heavy fire.

At Brotherhood Books, over 100 years later, a volunteer found the World War 1 diary amongst other donated items and notified warehouse manager Greg Simpson.

In November 1916, digger James Leslie Robinson was a stretcher bearer and ambulance driver during the chaotic and bloody Battle of the Somme. At 20 years old, he was a long way from his home and kept a small, leatherbound diary where he described being up to his neck in mud and under heavy fire. At Brotherhood Books, over 100 years later, a volunteer found the World War 1 diary amongst other donated items and notified warehouse manager Greg Simpson.
In November 1916, digger James Leslie Robinson was a stretcher bearer and ambulance driver during the chaotic and bloody Battle of the Somme. At 20 years old, he was a long way from his home and kept a small, leatherbound diary where he described being up to his neck in mud and under heavy fire. At Brotherhood Books, over 100 years later, a volunteer found the World War 1 diary amongst other donated items and notified warehouse manager Greg Simpson.

​“(The diary is) one of the most jaw-dropping things I’ve seen,” said Greg. “It pretty much gave me shivers. I don’t think any of the young bucks who signed up to fight in the war had any clue what they were in for,” he said.

Knowing it was an important piece of history, Greg sought to find the digger’s family who had obviously misplaced the diary and return it to them.

Family gem: a close-up photo of the diary. Credit: Justin McManus
Family gem: a close-up photo of the diary. Credit: Justin McManus

“I can’t imagine any family member would give something like that away knowingly,” Greg said. “It’s irreplaceable, it’s deeply personal and historical, and I would think from a sentimental point of view, you couldn’t put a price on it.
After reading about the find in The Age , Jenny, the niece of James Leslie Robinson, drove 200 kilometres from Apollo Bay to take James’ journal home to his family.

The diary was lost when James’ sister passed away three years ago and her belongings were donated to BSL, with the log mistakenly tucked away with other books for donation. The Robinson family have been looking for it ever since.

Les’ niece Jenny Robinson with the diary. Credit: Justin McManus
Les’ niece Jenny Robinson with the diary. Credit: Justin McManus

​Marvelling at the diary’s good condition, Jenny, 80, said Les was quiet and reserved, which probably enabled him to keep going during the war. She said the diary would be looked after for future generations “to understand their heritage”.

Reflecting on the experience, Greg said “the diary has gone back to the best place it could be. I think it’s the best possible result we could have hoped for”.

Greg Simpson of Brotherhood Books hands Les Robinson’s World War I diary to Les’ niece Jenny Robinson and great-nephew Michael Robinson. Credit: Justin McManus
Greg Simpson of Brotherhood Books hands Les Robinson’s World War I diary to Les’ niece Jenny Robinson and great-nephew Michael Robinson. Credit: Justin McManus

Read the original articles in The Age here:

  • Thursday 2 March - ‘Jaw-dropping’ find: Search for soldier’s relatives after WWI diary turns up among donated books
  • Wednesday 8 March - Digger’s family thrilled by return of WWI diary accidentally donated to charity

Print

Share