Diary of Annie's War (9 page)

Today is just like spring. I went down by the river for a walk and heard such a lot of crows crowing and they were so busy building their nests. I sat down to watch them. It reminded me so much of the days I used to walk to Northenden to visit Mary Chandler. I used to stop and watch the crows there with little Winnie.

Our men have gone to Russia. I heard them passing the hotel this morning at a quarter to five. People are up in this place at four o'clock. The soldiers went down in their twos and threes just like our men (English) going to the mills in the morning. And never a word was spoken. They all lined up outside the station. I got up to see a few hundred pass here. There is never any rejoicing or playing of music here over the war. The Kaiser said no music was to be played or cheering done until they came home victorious.

Today we elected our new Bishop of Hildesheim. The late one was made Prince Bishop of Breslau in November and I went to the Dom for the ceremony. It took two-and-a-half hours but it was worth it. The service was very fine but we are all so weary.

Belle and I talk over what we read in the papers. It seems as if after the 18
^th
there will be a long account of catastrophes around England.

I think of my homeland very, very often.

Still no news from Russia and they have been fighting for three days. But there is something in the papers about England flying the stars and stripes and playing a dirty game.

It always seems to me that when they have no war news that
they fill the papers up with hate of England and what they will do to her.

Today is examinations at the schools and it seems so strange to see soldiers going to school. These are the young men who were studying at the schools for lawyers, solicitors or civil service and have been called up to their army service. They are allowed to return these last three days for their examinations. They return to the military directly the school is over.

Dr. Kahn called on his way home from Hannover and he has been to see a few prospective tenants for the house. I am to go next week for three days and see one or two of them. I shall be glad to settle it all.

The result of the collecting of woollen goods was announced yesterday. After making up hundreds of useful clothing and rugs for the soldiers the woollen rags that they could not use up, parings etc. were sold for five-thousand shillings for the Red Cross Society. That was here in Hildesheim and the same thing was all over Germany in the large towns. I wonder what the metal week will bring them.

Uncle George Steffen is at the front. He is forty-five and after a month of drilling he was sent away. I am so very sorry. It grieved me to hear of him going away. He was so kind to us all.

We have the baker's report today. Each person cannot have more than three-and-a-half pounds of bread per week. I thought it was a mistake and that they meant per
day.
But it is per
week!
The rest must be potatoes. Nice isn't it? I was very much astonished because we have always been told we had food enough for three years. Now they say it is because they have so many captives to feed. I remarked: ‘But what of the men we have less - dead and captured Germans?'

Apparently these are very few.

I have received today a letter and a postcard from James Walmsley in Blackpool. The pleasure was so great that I cried with joy. It's the first letter from England since September that I have received. I cannot write of the pleasure it gave me. James writes that things are normal there. I wish they were here. But he says it will be a very long time before we have peace.

Thank God all are well. That's something to know.

Just received a postcard from Arthur and he is well and has the hope of returning. He says all the landowners (German) in England are now free and he hopes things to be the same in Germany. It's good news.

A Russian downfall is reported today. Twenty-six thousand captured by the Germans. The news is especially welcome for there has been none for some time. All the flags are out. They say that in a few days we shall be in Warsaw.

There is a great deal in the papers today of the strong measures England is to take with the foreigner. I always feel alarmed when I read it. It always falls on us, the foreigners, here.

I went to see Grebe today and he will arrange to help me with the removing. Dr. Kahn says he has let the place. I go on Monday for a few days.

I heard an officer say today that if half the powder used by the English and French had been good then all the Germans would be dead. He says of every ten hand bombs thrown in their shooting graves (trenches) only two are good and eight never explode. It's been the same all through the war.

We hear today that in England the Suffragettes have got two regiments ready. They make great fun of it here for they have always ridiculed the Suffragettes.

Annie (Drummond) Dröege
1874 - 1940

Arthur Joseph Dröege
1871 - 1950

28th & 29 January 1915
Annie details German hatred for the enemy.

Annie and Winnie 1913

John Drummond with his eight children 1912

l - r back Jim … Kitty … Gertrude's husband … Will's wife
l - r middle Esther … Jack … Will … George … Gertrude
l - r front Arthur Droege … John Drummond … Annie

Annie and ‘Uncle' George at the Roder-hof
4.8.1913

Annie, Arthur and Winnie in the Kioister Wald
6.8.1913

Annie, Arthur & ‘Moor'

We hear of a great German victory in Russia by Königsberg and now there are no more Russians in Germany. She is free of the enemy and all have been driven to their own land again.

Great rejoicing over yesterday’s battle and bands are playing. The results are published. Fifty thousand prisoners alive, many thousands have been killed, one hundred and ten large guns and large stores of clothes and food stuffs.