Harold Wild’s Diary – 1915

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March 1915

4
Wrote for particulars of Matric. Course to Wolsey Hall.
15
Posted Form of Membership of Fellowship of Reconciliation.
21
Mr C.T. Studd spoke at Longsight Wesleyan Chapel for 55 minutes.
Union Democratic Control. Public Meeting. Large hall crowded. Opposition.

April 1915

5
Easter Monday walk with B. [probably his brother Bertie]
9
Advance in wage from 14s to 17s [per week].
23
Pair [Surgical] Boots from Timson’s 10s 9d.

May 1915

14
Finished Nat. Relief Fund Collection at Office. Total just exceeds £1000.
19
Told Miss Parker I thought war would last 3 years from now. [It did!]
22
Whitsuntide Holidays. [Train, walked and tram-cars]

June 1915

12
Mr Royle’s leadership of [Wesleyan] Guild through “Historic Rusholme”
1?
Mr R [Royle] published my letter re Conf & War. [Mr Royle was a highly respected member of Rusholme Wesleyan Church, and it was a source of sadness to my father that Mr Royle could not accept my father’s pacifist views]

July 1915

3
Had enjoyable walk with DB [Dorothy Broome whom he later married, in 1930, & who became my mother] along Peak Forest canal.
9
[Sunday School] Teachers’ Mtg. Mr R [Royle] publicly asked me not to give address and report.
11
Quakers mtg.

August 1915

2
Quaker Picnic to Ashley, Millington & Altrincham.
8
Dr Brown at Unitarian Chapel [Dr Vipont Brown who became our family Doctor. The Browns were Quakers.]
12
Ordered Raleigh bicycle.
13
Completed Registration Form [as a Conscientious Objector?]
20
Tonight begin 10 days holiday.
21
Cancelled Raleigh & ordered “Trusty”
22
First visit to Whalley Range, Friends [Quakers]
23
Received bicycle.
24
Cycled to Alex. Pk Gates. [Alexander Park] and later to Alderley [Cheshire]
27
Night: Alex. Pk Gates. FoR. Strong rowdy opposition. Good turn up of Friends.
28
Night FoR Whitworth Park Gates. Mr Sorenson. Remarkable meeting. No interuptions. Message home.
29
Good chat with Mr Watts on way to Mtg.
30
Mtg.men of military age. F. [?] Institute.
31
Recd. invitation to join class to meet at Watts to study German.

September 1915

1
Posted account of Stockport FoR mtg.
Posted intimation of secretarial resignation.
4
Received good & long letter from Mr Royle.
6
Excellent mtg of young men at F[riends?] Inst.
7
Visit to Mr Royle. Good & open.
8
First German Class.
10
Posted my resignation as worker [Churchworker?].
24
Taylor, at Young Friends Mtg., Whalley Range.
26
First mtg. of series at Mount St. [Friends Mtg House] this winter on ‘Christianity & Life’ Theobald.

October 1915

2
Wrote covering letter for resignation as member [of Rusholme Wesleyan Chapel] To deliver to PES [P&S?] to-morrow.
6
Rev. Richard Roberts & Mr Darbyshire. F.of R. “Public” mtg. Mount Street.
9
Keir Hardie’s picture now in my room.
10
Rode to town for Mount St. twice on bike to Father’s Grievance [presumably his father was annoyed that he was deserting the Wesleyans for the Friends].
11
Bade Goodbye to Miss H. at Guild.
15
Teachers Mtg. Resignations. Mine left by PES.
24
Sp. Missions, “The Supreme Example” by Hodgkin. Mount St.
30
Tea & social evening at Watts.

November 1915

5
NCF [No Conscription Fellowship] mtg. Milton Hall (prohibited by police)
11
F.of R. Onward Hall. R Sorenson: “Christianity of the State”. Chairman: Leyton Richards.
13
Visited by Derby Scheme canvassers.
Mount St. Revd[?] Roberts “Christianity & Nationality”
15
Mtg of No Conscription Fellowship.- Fine
16
YMCA – Women’s International League.
19
MiltonHall. UDC Chair: Prof. Graham.
20
First visit to a Theatre. In company with the Watts to Gaity, where “Pictures” and “Joan Danvers” took the stage.
25
Central Hall (ILP) [Independent Labour Party] Stockport, Protest against Secret Trial.
27
Large building near Refuge (Insurance) burned out.

December 1915

4
“Henry V” at the Theatre Royal.
10
FoR Onward Hall. Chairman. Prof. Unwin. Speaker – Leyton Richard.
13
Sent shorter resignation & covering letter to Rev.PES in answer to letter declining to read long statement at C.M [Church Meeting?] & suggesting I don’t give reason at all.
14
Wrote to D.Broome [my mother].
18
A Barrett Brown on ‘The Quakerism of the Future.’
19
ABB, Mount St. “Christianity & Patriotism”
26
Being wet, stayed at home mng, read “Atonement & Non Resistance”.
31
[As part of New Year Resolutions]
In the opening years of life one’s intentions are oft as one’s resolutions.
My hope of going to spread the gospel of Jesus amongst Muhammadan strongholds may never now be realised – thwarted through the war. My life perhaps will be spent in fighting the Christian fight against Militarism in England.
But in any case I give my life anew in the service of the Carpenter of Nazareth, to follow where he leads.

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