The National Archives (UK)  has started to publish online extracts from the diaries of British soldiers who fought in the Great War. Each unit was required to keep an official diary of events in its own area of responsibility, and the entries include comments on both military actions and aspects of the daily life of the soldiers. Private war diaries of some combatants are also being digitised.

These first extracts involve regiments who took part in the early actions of WW1 on the Western Front in France and Belgium, and include Scottish regiments. These diaries are excellent primary source material for students, with personal testimonies, and provide some fascinating insights into the life and mood of the troops. A BBC News story reports on this new online initiative.

An important extra dimension to this e-publishing is partnership project ‘Operation War Diary’. This invites volunteers, such as school students, to add value to the digital assets by tagging diary entries with keywords and extra information from the text or from additional research.

These diary extracts are part of a wider e-publishing effort which is a major part of the National Archives WW1 centenary programme. The Scottish national institutions such as the National Library of Scotland, National Museum of Scotland, and the National Records of Scotland, all have plans for extensive programmes of activity through the commemoration period.