| Description | This collection comprises pocket books, containing notes, lists and draft poems, kept by John William Streets (also known as William Streets or Will Streets), Sergeant of the 12th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, relating to his service during the First World War. Accompanied by a copy of a published book containing a collection of his poems, titled 'The Undying Splendour' (Published by Erskine Macdonald Ltd, 1917) and a draft typescript of a book about John William Street titled 'Temple of Truth' written by Leslie T. Yaw. Also together with copies of his army service records and his returns from the Census for 1891, 1901 and 1911.
John William Streets (1886-1916) was born in Whitwell, Derbyshire. Although academically and artistically gifted, he began work as a miner at the age of fourteen, continuing to educate himself in his spare time. In August 1914, Streets joined the 12th (Sheffield City) (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. In late 1915 and early 1916 he served in Egypt. The battalion was subsequently transferred to the Western Front. Streets, by this time a sergeant, was wounded on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, and subsequently went missing. His body was eventually recovered exactly ten months later, on 1 May 1917, and he is buried at Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps, France. His poems were posthumously published in the same year under the title 'The Undying Splendour'. |