World War One Diary Bridges Century-Old Divide for Soldiers’ Descendants

A postcard found within the diary of a German World War One officer has enabled his descendant to deliver a message, sent to the front lines over a century ago, to the family of a British soldier who died in the conflict. Lieutenant Alexander Pfeifer discovered the postcard on Private Percy Walsh, a 22-year-old from Blackburn, Lancashire, after Private Walsh was killed during the recapture of a trench by German forces on December 22, 1914. The postcard displayed an image of Private Walsh, some of his comrades from the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, and members of their families. Over 110 years later, Philipp Cross, the German officer’s great-great-grandson, has returned it to the soldier’s family, who had been unaware of its existence until now. Alexander Pfeifer’s diary remained undisturbed, stored under a bed, for many years. However, it was not until Philipp began researching his German heritage that he realized the descendants of his relative’s adversaries lived only a few miles from him in Whalley, near Blackburn. The 28-year-old, who has a British father and a German mother, inherited numerous items from his mother’s great-grandfather, including the diary and several photographs documenting his service in the conflict. Among the collection were postcards recovered from fallen soldiers, one of which depicted British soldiers. It was signed: “With love from us all – to Percy xx.” Lieutenant Pfeifer’s diary entries from that period offered vivid descriptions of the scenes he and his troops encountered in the trenches where the postcard was discovered, as well as the challenging conditions they endured. He documented these experiences in his writings. Philipp reconstructed Percy’s narrative, identifying his surname and his memorial at Le Touret Memorial, situated alongside the very road where combat occurred on the Western Front. Through research in war databases, Philipp learned that Percy Walsh resided in Blackburn and was 22 years old at the time of his death. He also ascertained that the young soldier had been married for one year and had a six-month-old son when he passed away. “The whole thought of my ancestor fighting a lot of these lads who grew up around Lancashire, and having the items as well that belong to these men, it is just absolutely mind-blowing,” Philipp said. With assistance from Blackburn Central Library, Private Walsh’s surviving relatives were located, and a meeting between the two families was arranged. Philipp expressed nervousness about the encounter. “I had butterflies in my stomach the whole time, it was surreal,” he said. During their meeting, Philipp presented the postcard to Private Walsh’s family. Furthermore, he provided details about the battle where their ancestor perished, information gleaned from Lieutenant Pfeifer’s diary. While the family was aware of Private Walsh, they had no knowledge of his fate, as he was officially listed as “lost at war.” They had also not seen a photograph of him until Philipp presented the postcard. He conveyed his satisfaction that the meeting had proceeded successfully. He remarked, “These horrible events that happened so long ago have created these positive relationships over a century later.” Francis Robinson, Private Walsh’s grand-nephew, aged 62 and residing in Mellor, Blackburn, stated that the postcard had united the family and provided a conclusion, albeit a somber one, to his ancestor’s story. He commented, “a mystery what had happened to poor Percy that went to war but now we know.” He added, “His wife went to great lengths to find out what happened to him, putting adverts in the local paper.” Robinson further explained, “It seems like they were throwing hand grenades from one trench to the next and really clearing out – to gain a trench [and] then lose it the day after – along with Percy’s life. “It is so futile, but I was happy that at least we got something back from Percy.” He mentioned that Philipp had also “very kindly” visited the memorial in France and “took some photographs for us.” He concluded that the postcard would now be preserved and passed down through the family for future generations. Philipp has compiled the diary into a book titled *The Other Trench*, which includes Lieutenant Pfeifer’s writings and photographs. He noted that it is among a select few accounts offering a German perspective on life in the trenches during World War One. He also expressed his belief that the diary served as “a form of therapy” for his ancestor and that he felt a sense of obligation to finish what Lieutenant Pfeifer was unable to. Philipp stated, “I feel really lucky to have all this because a lot of people don’t know their great grandparents, never mind their great, great grandparents. “Having this is like a time machine into the past and it’s just really special. “And what’s more special is how it’s not just my family history, but world history.”