George Sheppard's diary on board troopship Euripides
Author
George Sheppard
Date1917
Object number00054868
NameDiary
MediumInk on paper
DimensionsOverall: 260 × 200 mm
Copyright© George Sheppard
ClassificationsEphemera
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from
DescriptionGeorge Sheppard's account of his voyage to Europe on a troopship during 1917. The route via the Panama Canal was unusual and according to Sheppard, the transport EURIPIDES was the largest ship to enter the canal to that date.HistoryThis diary dates from November the 4th 1917 to December the 22nd 1917. It consists of 16 handwritten pages plus a poem. The troopship EURIPIDES was en route to England via the Panama Canal.
George Sheppard was born in Lynton, North Devon. Although British, George had migrated to Australia (Brisbane) before WWI and served in the Australian Army (10/52nd battalion).SignificanceThis is a unique troopship account of a soldier's voyage to Europe during 1917. The diary has been in descendants possession in the UK. The route via the Panama Canal is unusual and according to the diarist Euripides was the largest ship to enter the canal to that date.
The poem inserted in the diary requires further research. If it is by the diarist, it would be highly signficant as an unpublished, poignant depiction of troopships going to the war.
