George Kellett's diary - Wakefield Museums and Castles

George Kellett's diary

Sepia photograph of George Kellett in his army uniform. He is a young white man in his early 20s. He has short hair, is clean-shaven, and smiling at the camera

At the beginning of 1918 George Kellett, a soldier born in Wakefield, received a Christmas parcel. It contained a Christmas cake, parkin, a few apples and a diary.

George then recorded his year as a First World War soldier in this diary.

His family donated his diary to Wakefield Museums.

Pictured here is George Kellett in his army uniform. He was in his early 20s during the First World War.

George's diary, with 1918 embossed on the front. It is well worn.

The diary details George’s everyday life as a soldier in 1918. It includes letters from home, pay arrangements, games with fellow soldiers, getting ready for draft, working on a rifle range and digging trenches.

Over the year the diary builds up a picture of what his experience was. This resource shares George’s diary entries along with other information about his family.

In this interactive resource you will get to read through George's diary and learn more about his life.

There are videos, photos and objects as well as the diary entries to explore.

Find out more

A speech bubble with a question mark in it

How to use this resource

Find out how to use this resource, including notes for teachers.

An old sepia photograph of young George with his family. It was taken by Atkinson of Belle Vue, Wakefield. They are well-dressed and look like they are sat in their living room. George looks around 8 or 9, his sister a few years older

George Kellett: an introduction

Learn more about George's life before, during and after the First World War.

A re-enactor dressed as George Kellett holding a gun

First World War - Object Videos

Watch demonstrations of objects used by First World War soldiers

Screenshot of a map showing part of George's journey in 1918

Interactive map - George's journey in 1918

Explore an interactive map showing George's journey throughout 1918, based on the places he lists in his diary.

"Photo of a wartime ward decorated for Christmas. Two men are in beds, and several more are stood up. A woman is sat by one of the men in the beds. There is a banner that reads 'Xmas Greetings to the staff from the boys of Ward VII'

First World War diary - January 1918

Read George's diary entries for January 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - February 1918

Read George's diary entries for February 1918.

Sepia photograph of George with 4 other young soldiers, dressed in uniform. George and two others stand at the back, with two in front seated. George and two others smile widely, the other two are not smiling as much.

First World War diary - March 1918

Read George's diary entries for March 1918.

A postcard featuring an embroidered peacock, with symbols representing the flags of the allies in its fanned out feathers. Also stitched are the words 'a kiss from France'

First World War diary - April 1918

Read George's diary entries for April 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - May 1918

Read George's diary entries for May 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - June 1918

Read George's diary entries for June 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - July 1918

Read George's diary entries for July 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - August 1918

Read George's diary entries for August 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - September 1918

Read George's diary entries for September 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - October 1918

Read George's diary entries for October 1918.

A sepia photograph of George as a young boy with his parents and older sister

First World War diary - November 1918

Read George's diary entries for November 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - December 1918

Read George's final diary entries for December 1918.

A double-page spread in George's diary, full of his handwritten entries

First World War diary - payment notes

Explore the payment notes at the back of George's diary