The Great War: Letters Home by John Stanford is a poignant collection of letters and journal entries from the Molteno-Murray family during World War I. Between 1913 and 1920, this family kept a private journal called Chronicle of the Family, which connected relatives scattered across South Africa, Britain, and Kenya. Initially, it was a way to maintain bonds between family members, but when war broke out in 1914, the Chronicle evolved to include letters from those serving in various military and medical roles. The letters came from diverse war fronts—German East Africa, South West Africa, the trenches of France, and naval battles.
The collection also includes insights into life back home, from a Karoo farm to political rallies in London and even a horse trek in Basutoland. The letters offer a fascinating glimpse into the personal experiences of soldiers, as well as the broader context of life during a tumultuous time.
Edited by John Stanford, whose mother, Effie Anderson, was one of the original editors of the Chronicle, Letters Home offers a deeply moving and respectful look at family life during the Great War. The eloquent letters retain their immediacy and personal impact even after a century, providing a first-hand account of war and daily life from those who lived it.
