Manuscript diary describing events between 6 January and 11 February 1916 by Private William Jay

Jay served in Mesopotamia with 1/5th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) and his account focuses on his battalion's experience of their first major action at Shaik Saad during the doomed attempt to relieve the besieged British force at Kut. He was wounded in the arm and describes the appalling conditions and lack of care suffered by the wounded. Jay was later killed in action on 15 February 1917 in Mesopotamia.

From the World War One (1914-1918) papers of Private William Pryor Jay, C Company 1/5th Battalion The Buffs (East Kent Regiment) compiled during service in India and Mesopotamia, 1915-1916.