War on the Home Front: The Farm Diaries of Daniel MacMillan, 1914–1927

Richard Wilbur is the author of The Rise of French New Brunswick and
H.H. Stevens, 1878–1973 and co-author of Silver Harvest. His latest
book is Horse-Drawn Carriages and Sleighs: Elegant Vehicles from New
England and New Brunswick.

This seventh volume in the New Brunswick Military Heritage Project
series provides a rare and poignant glimpse at the home front during and
after World War I as seen through the diary entries of a bachelor farmer
in York County. As the editors note in the excellent introduction,
“the war was about more than the heroism and tragedy of the great
battles of Europe … it was about individuals making sacrifices and
enduring hardships.”

Middle-aged Daniel MacMillan was a prime example, although he would be
the last to admit it. His clear and sometimes eloquent writing style
reveal a self-effacing and lonely farmer sustained by the love of his
rural community and his close association with the local Presbyterian
church, where he served for many years as Sunday School Superintendent.

Chapter 1, titled “A Great European War Has Broken Out
1914–1916,” reveals how Daniel and his neighbours initially
responded by sending their sons overseas and by raising money for the
patriotic fund. Things would get even worse over the last two years of
the war, as recounted in Chapter 2. His brother Charles and nephew Jim
had joined up and both survived the carnage, much to Daniel’s relief.
Upon their return, he sold the farm to Charles and his wife Ella. In the
final chapter, “The Aftermath,” we sense his great disappointment
when, largely due to their war experiences, they proved unfit to carry
on the demanding rural life. The final entries tell the sad tale:
Charles needed frequent hospital treatment and Jim took to drink partly
as a result of shell shock.

It was an all-too-familiar tale for many other Canadian families. The
last diary entry, dated October 20, 1927, expresses Daniel’s concern
for Jim: “I do not think it is the right thing for a man in his
condition of mind to be staying alone and wandering about the woods. I
don’t think it will affect a cure to his troubles.”

Daniel MacMillan lived for another 40 years. I wish he had continued
with his diary. This book showed his formidable talents as an astute
observer. The editorial work is also first-rate.