The World War One Diary 1918-1919 is the personal diary of Private First Class Lester Allen McPheron — a young American soldier who served during the final year of the Great War. The diary had been preserved in the family for generations, passed down as a treasured artifact. When it came to me, I realized that its value extended far beyond our family. It was a piece of living history.
What the Diary Contains The entries span from 1918 through 1919, covering Lester's experience from training through deployment and the armistice. The writing is raw, honest, and deeply human. He writes about the mud, the cold, the camaraderie, the fear, and the strange beauty of moments of peace amid war. He writes about home.
Why I Published It We are losing our connection to the First World War. The last veterans are long gone. The stories are fading. Publishing this diary was an act of preservation — a way of ensuring that one soldier's experience would not be forgotten.
The Book The World War One Diary 1918-1919 is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle. It includes the original diary entries, historical context, and photographs. It's a remarkable read for anyone interested in military history, family history, or the human experience of war.
History belongs to all of us. So do the stories of those who made it.