THE DIARY OF WILLIAM SELLERS

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August 26^th. News of the great battle comes to hand slowly. Heavy fighting is taking place in Belgium but without any decisive result.
The British are said to have lost 2000 killed & wounded on the 23^rd & 24^th.
Sentries are on duty on the local roads at night, anyone passing is stopped and has to give an account as to his name etc.
During the storm on the 24^th windows were broken in Hunmanby Moor by hailstones.
29^th. Mr Burdass finished cutting corn.
Sept. 9^th. Rainy day. Oats in bad condition for leading. Owing to the war no one is allowed to fire a gun within half a mile of the cliff.
Four steamers ashore at Flamboro.
10^th. Vessel reported ashore at Buckton Hall. Rocket cart out. No vessel to be seen. Reports reached the village in t he evening that the ship, which was evidently in distress, had sunk.
12^th. More rain. 14^th. Big South West gale. 15^th. & 16^th. Corn dry. Finished leading sheaves. 17^th. Heavy rain all the morning.
German boy at Reighton Hall College taken as a prisoner of war, he having arrived at an age at which he is liable for military service.
The Flamboro head light and foghorn are not being used at present. The reason given is that their disuse will prevent German vessels fixing the places where they propose laying mines.
22^nd. Finished harvest. Tom Witty, Len Maplesden & the Cook Bros. have joined the N.E.R. Battalion.
24^th. Started taking up potatoes. 16 big cobles fishing close in shore, very pretty sight.
25^th. It is eight weeks today since Mr Wheldon started cutting Winter oats & he has not yet finished leading.
26^th. Jack Rookes, Mr Wheldon’s shepherd left Speeton today to join the army. Weather very fine. Mr. Warwick the station master left to go to Castle Eden a fortnight ago. Mr. Tindall from Barlow has arrived in his place this week.
27^th. Vicar ill. A lay reader, Mr. McDonald of Brid conducted service.