Diary Entry

Dear Diary,

Life is tough over here. War isn't at all the exciting holiday that they made it out to be. Death, blood, tears, rain. We've lost many men, and we're going to lose so many more. It's hard to cope in these conditions, both physically and mentally. I know I'm not the only finding it hard to cope. Every night when I'm laying in bed, amongst the shots of gunfire, I hear the cries of many other soldiers. Cries from losing brothers, fathers, friends. Cries of pain. Cries of missing those loved ones back at home.

I wrote a letter home earlier to mum and dad, and I just couldn't bring myself to describe the horrors of war. I don't want them to worry too much. So instead of describing the brutal, nightmarish war that is happening, I told them of the ideal war that our government had portrayed. It angers me that they have described this war as an exciting new thing, convincing many to sign up. Young men have signed up, that are under 18. Parents will be grief stricken at the loss of their sons, who were so young.

The weather conditions are horrible, the rain just creates so much mud which is unbearable. It just adds to the daily struggles.

Life will be very different, post war. I have seen some things that I won't be able to forget with ease. Men have been shot down in front of my own eyes, and I don't know how many men I've shot dead. I hope the Lord can forgive me for my sins. I pray to Him whenever I can just hoping to find some peace in this war.
Days are turning into weeks, weeks into months, months into years. I miss everyone so dearly and just wish to go home.
 

Thomas James Kenny.