'Ollie & the war diary', Major Oliver Woods MC, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), 1943

Photograph by Major Wilfred Herbert James Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), World War Two, Italy, 1943.

Major Oliver (Ollie) Woods, seated and leaning against a haystack, filling in his unit's war diary during the Italian campaign.

Since 1907 British Army units from battalions to armies have been required to keep a diary during wartime. These diaries contain details of each unit's daily activities including their movements, training, combat actions and casualties. These records are useful for military planning and are an important source for military historians.

Major Oliver F J B Woods, a journalist with 'The Times', served with the Sharpshooters throughout World War Two (1939-1945). He commanded 'A' Squadron 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) in Italy, eventually being appointed second in command of 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) on 2 February 1945. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1943 for his actions in Sicily.

From an album containing 242 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).