Below is a transcription of the 1819 diary of Herbert Runciman.
I have a hobby of repairing old boxes, including writing slopes. I picked up a dilapidated slope in early 2025, and tucked into its secret compartment was this tiny diary, measuring only 8cm tall. The slope came with a bundle of family photographs. The diary belonged to a Herbert Runciman of Glasgow and deals with the time he was training to be a pilot in the RAF in 1918. He arrived at the front just as the war ended.
Herbert Runciman was born 15 January 1892, in Holm, Orkney. He was the son of Rev. Charles Runciman (1841-1918), the minister there, and Jeannie Watson Runciman (1855-1941). Herbert was the fifth child, behind Alexander (1871-1913), Helen Clark (1872-1957), Anabella Scollay (1883-1961), William Watson and (1892-1918). Herbert had one younger brother, Henry Irvine (1895-1919). Among the photographs were some relating to the churches and Manses of Orkney.
Sometime after the war, in 1939, Herbert married Mairi Ann Nicholson Morrison. She was also a child of a clergyman, Rev. Norman John Morrison, sometime minister of North Uist. However, Mairi died on 12 March 1941 at Redlands Hospital, aged only 38.[1] Their son, Herbert Morrison Runciman, had been born on 11 March 1941, so she presumably died of complications in childbirth.
Herbert Runciman died in Glasgow’s Western Infirmary on 7 June 1978 and was buried in Craigton Cemetery on 11 July 1978, in the same plot as his wife Mairi and sister Annabella (died 1961).[2]
The Diary
T.J. & J. Smith’s Thin Waistcoat Pocket Diary and Almanack for 1918. Editorial notes are indicated by square [ ] brackets.
Flyleaf
117643 Rifle No. 8762
Herbert Runciman
A. Flight, No,5 Squadron, no.1 R.F.C. Cadet Wing, Hastings
Memoranda Pages
[Herbert seems to have used these pages as a small address book for family and Friends]
47208 Cpl W.W.R.,[3] Room 45 F. Section R.F.C., Badajos Barracks, Aldershot
Lieut J.G.R., 6th Borders Regt, B.E.F.
2/22717 Pt R.T.R., B Coy, 1st 1st H.C.B., Corn Exchange, Cupar, Fife
Rev J.W.R. B.P., Presbyterian Chaplain, 35 British General Hospital, Basrah, Mesopotamian E.F.
Miss H.C.R.,[4] Queen’s Nurses Home, Westbank Place, Falkirk
Mrs J.F. Whillas, 162 Old Road, Fareley, Near Leeds
Rev G.H. Morrison, D.D.,[5] 29 Lilybank Gardens, Hillhead, Glasgow
Sergt H.I. Runciman[6] 44310, C47 Staff Sergeant Mess, Harrowby Camp, Grantham
Mr J. Petrie, West Breckan, Holm
F.H. Johnston 2794, City Hotel, Nottigham England, (Goldsmith Street)
Mr Charles Runciman, H.M.T. St…grove, G266 G.P.O., London
Lieut Capt J.G. Runciman, 5/6 Btn Royal Scots, BEF
47308 Cpl W.W.R.[7], B F Light 32 T.D.S, No. 6 Sqdrn R.F.C., Union Mills RAF, Montrose
2/22717 Pte L.T.R., Trench Mortar Battery, 8th Gelit Brigade, St Andrews
Miss B Lindony(?), Highenden, Westcombe Hill, Blackheath S.E.
Mr Charles Runciman, 2nd Engineers, H.M.T. Clutha E128, c/o G.P.O., London
Pte L.T. Runciman, 1/1st H.C.B.,Randalaton, Ireland
Tues 29 January[8] Arrived St Leonards
Wed 30 January Arrived Home
Thurs 31 January L.W.S. M.A.
Fri 1 February Home. Willie.
(Cadet Banks Pencil).
Inoculated with vaccine
Sat 2 February John (home allow).
Ignie.
Louis.
Sun 3 February Nellie.
Bella.
Lizzie.
Thur 7 February Letter re Army and Navy Allowance.
Sun 10 February Letter Father.
Postcard Bella + Jeanie
Mon 11 February Captain Harold H.R. Hanford, P.O. 2/6 d for washing. Not found.
Tues 12 February Re. J.W.R. B.D.
Fri 15 February L.W. Smith M.A.
Mon 18 February Mrs Charles Runciman.
B. Weekly.
J. Petrie.
Tues 19 February Sergeant H.J. Runciman
Wed 20 February Miss Macpherson to remember Bella
Sun 24 February Bexhill Hospital (measles)
Mon 25 February William Charles Runciman.
Cadet Muir + Co.
Tues 26 February Father
Wed 27 February Lt John G.R.
Thur 28 February Mr J.F. Whellas
Miss R.S. Runciman
Miss Catherine Miller, 30 Sutherland Terrace, Glasgow W.
Sat 2 March Mother
Louis J. Runciman.
Mon 4 March O.C. No. 5 Squadron
No. 117564 Dudley Newbronner
Return Calling up papers to Recruiting Office Glasgow.
Tues 5 March Corporal W.W. Runciman
Thur 7 March Mother
(Income Tax Paper) £3 – 9 – 6
Fri 8 March John F. Whillas
Mon 11 March A.S.R.
L.W.S.
Thur 14 March Sick leave from Bexhill
Tues 19 March Cadet F.N. Johnston
(Comb & Brushing)
Fri 22 March Arrived Leeds
Sun 24 March End of Sick Leave
Mon 25 March Home (M)
Mrs J.F. Whillas
Fri 29 March Home (F)
Mon 1 April Charlie
Tues 2 April J.R. Watt (R.C.)
Mon 8 April Home (M).
Miss Miller
(Rec. Parcel)
Thur 11 April Passed Air Board as pilot.
Fri 12 April Nellie
Captain John G.R. 5/6 Royal Scots 2nd London General Hospital, St Mark’s College, Chelsea, London.
Mon 15 April Home (F)
E.W. Smith M.A.
Wed 17 April Miss Johnston.
Lizzie (P.C.)
Sun 21 April Bella
Mon 22 April Andrew Blair
Final exam in Topo & Signal at St Leonards
Thurs 25 April Bella P.C.
Fri 26 April Left St Leonard’s for Denham
Home (M)
Sat 27 April Nellie
Mon 29 April Bella re Income Tax.
Paper
Lizzie
Sun 5 May Home (F)
Falkirk (two)
Mon 6 May Cpl W.W.R.
Sat 11 May Home (M)
Sun 12 May P.C. G.L.W. A.W.W.
Sat 18 May Home (F)
Ret Income Tax Paper 6/9d
(War Loan)
Sat 25 May B.W. to J. Petrie
Home (M)
Sun 26 May Lewis
Mon 27 May No 8/23603, B Coy 1/pt HCB, Castle Barracks, Ennis Killen, Ireland
Tues 28 May Jenny Plymouth
Sun 2 June Home F
Mon 3 June Nellie
Tues 4 June Bella LC
Mon 10 June Final exams Dunham
Tues 11 June Home (M)
Final Exam
Thurs 13 June Parcel (Brakirts loordigas 2 pairs pants) home
Sat 15 June Arrived Fowlmore
Sun 16 June Home M
DH6, 6847, First flight Lt Bell & First Crash
Mon 17 June Nellie
Tues 18 June Bella
W.W.R.
Lizzie
Fri 21 June Home (F)
Sun 23 June Charlie
Tues 25 June L.W. Smith M.A.
Fri 28 June Home (M)
Lt Reiss DH6 (no 5483), 2.26pm -3pm (35m), Height 800, Turns to Straights
Sun 30 June DH6 (6847) 8.20pm – 8.30, Lt Reiss 600
Mon 1 July DH6 6847 1000ft, 5.40pm – 6.5 Lt Reiss, Gliding Turns
Tues 2 July DH6 6847 Turns, 8.16am – 8.35 (20m), Lt Reiss
Wed 3 July Lt Bell 40 min, DH6 (6847), 10am – 10.40, Stalling – (1200ft) turns
Fri 5 July 8.50-8.30, 40min ht200, 7 landings, DH6C7248 Lt Bell
Sat 6 July 7.40am – 8.20 40 mins, Landings and taking off, DH6 (6847), 60, 385
Home (F)
8.20-9pm 40 mins, 8 landings (6847) DH6
Sun 7 July 30 min (DH6 7248), 6 landings 7- 7.30pm, 8.25-9.15pm 60 min, 6847 12 landings
Total 6 hours 25 mins
[at end] Mon 8 July 50 min, 6.40am – 7.30am, 12 landings (6847. DH6), Lt Bell
Tues 9 July First Solo, C7268 8.05-8.45, 8 landings, Total time 8 hours 15 mins
Week end 9th 8 hours 15 mins
[at end] 9 July, (6847) 6 landings 8.25-9pm, First Solo,9pm-9.30pm. 2 landings
Wed 10 July See End.
(6847) 6.45- 7.45am 1 hour, Solo 3000 ft
Thur 18 July Crash BE2E 6127 (stick)
Fri 19 July Home (M)
Sat 20 July Jenny
Sun 21 July Henry
Tues 23 July Chassie (P.C.)
Sun 4 August Lizzie
Thur 8 August Home (M)
Fri 9 August W.W.R.
Fri 16 August Home (F)
Sun 18 August DH4 5538 Graduation
(W.W.R.)
Flight 1 hr
Sun 8 September Home
E.W.S.M.A. (photo)
Tues 10 September M. Greig photo
Lizzie photo
John (re. 25th)
Thur 12 September Miss M.J.D. & A.L.M Runciman Photo
Sat 14 September John
Mon 16 September Home (M)
Tues 17 September Evie (photo)
John (photo)
Wed 18 September John
Mon 23 September Finished Service Pilot Test (Fowlmere)
Wed 25 September John’s Marriage Southend
Sat 28 September Belle
P.C. (Mrs Hinks)
Sun 29 September H. Forbes R.A.F. Cranwell
Sleaford Lines
Mon 30 September Nellie (Photo)
P.C. to MJD&ALM Runciman
Cpl W.W.R
L.T.R.
Tues 1 October R.A.F. Tunic £5-17-6d
Sun 6 October Home (M)
Mon 7 October John
Tues 8 October (£10 from home)
P.C. to Belle
Camp Bed £2.5
Valise 3.15
Wash Stand 1.1
Wed 9 October Jennie (photo)
Gazetted (Times) 8th October
Sat 12 October Left Fowlmere for Sedgeford. Sent on to Bircham Newton
Sun 13 October Cox & Co
2nd Lt A Mackie
Home (F)
Mon 14 October Willie
Wed 16 October E.W.S. M.A.
Fri 18 October Rev G.H. Morrison DD
Mors(?) Scannville(?)
Sat 19 October Arrived Sedgeford from Bircham Newton.
(P.C. Belle)
Sun 20 October Home (M)
Mon 21 October Cox & Co (form)
Charlie
Tues 22 October Nellie.
Henry.
Wed 23 October W J F Whillas (?)
Fri 25 October Cox & Co. £10
Willie
Sun 27 October Home (F) Jenny
Wed 30 October Left Sedgeford
No.3 S.A.F
London to Glasgow
Thur 31 October Glasow to London
Friday 1 November Reported for Overseas
£15 Cox & Co
Sat 2 November Arrived ‘Range de Fliers’ via Boulogne
No.2 A.S.D.
Sun 3 November Officers Claims Sedgeford
Home (M)
E.W.S. M.A.
Mon 4 November Cambrai
Willie [cross symbol][9]
Tues 5 November Home (M)
Lt Arch Mackie
Cox & Co (address)
Thur 7 November Lizzie
Fri 8 November Willie
Nellie
Tuesday 12 November Home (F)
Sat 16 November Home (M)
Thur 21 November Home (F)
Tues 26 November ‘O’. 10-10-10-40
Arrived Houdain (Barai)
Wed 27 November Bella
Thur 28 November Charlie
Tues 3 December Cox & Co (Pass Book)
John
Home (M)
Wed 4 December L.T.R.
Thur 5 December E.W.S.M.A.
Sun 8 December Cox & Co. – £5 to home
Lizzie
Mon 9 December Miss H.C.R
Tues 10 December Home (F)
Sat 14 December A.S.R.
Thur 19 December Received Pass Book from Cox.
Home (M)
Visited Malplaquet
Fri 20 December Cox (Return Pass Book)
Rev G.H. Morrison D.D.
Sun 22 December Visited Lille
Mon 23 December Lizzie
Field Cashier at Lille
Wed 25 December John
Thur 26 December Home (M)
Fri 27 December (Home £10-0-0)
Cox and Co
Mrs A.W. Watt
Sat 28 December Telegram from Home (dated 26th)
Sun 29 December Nellie
[1919 continued in back]
Jan 1 Jenny
Jan 2 Second telegram from home dated 29th December[10]
Home (M)
West – Bulverhythe
North – Holington Terminus
East – Ecclesbourne Glen
Jan 5th Cox & Co. (pay book)
Jan 6th G.S. Pay Officer
Jan 9th E.W.S.M.A.
Jan 10th Home (M)
Jan 18th Home A.S.R.
Memoranda Pages
[..] Monday to Tuesday
6.30-7.30 Flying
8.30-9.30 Flying
9.30-10.30 Aerial Reconnaissance
10.45-11.45 Machine Gun
11.45-12.45 Flying
2.00-3.00 P.T.
3.20-4.00 Buzzing
5.00-6.00 Flying
Wednesday and Thursday
6.30-7.30 P.T.
8.30-9.30 Photography
9.30-10.30 Flying
10.45-11.45 Flying
11.45-12.45 Buzzing
2.00-3.00 Machine Gun
3.00-4.00 Machine Gun
Friday and Saturday
6.30-7.30 Flying
8.30-9.30 Machine Gun
9.30-10.30 Buzzing
10.45-11.45 Bomb
11.45-12.45 Machine Gun
2.00-3.00 Flying
3.00-4.00 Flying
Jan 21st /19 Cox & Co. (Pass Book)
(John)
Jan 28th Home (M)
Jan 29th Cox & Co. (Income Tax A.M. 63)
(31 T.D.S. & No.3 Flight School Flying Pay)
Feb 4th Home (M)
Feb 10th Captain A. J. Swinton
Feb 11th Home (M)
Cox & Co. (for Pass Book)
Feb 12th Lizzie … Lewis
Feb 17th Home (B)
Feb 22nd Returned Pass Book to Cox.
Feb 24th Home (M)
Henry (cross symbol) 21st Feb.
27 Feb Home (M)
3 March Cheque £2 Duton
8th March Home (M)
5th March Left Bavay for Alquinis. Landed Proven
9th March Left Proven for Alquines
11th March Bella (St Omer)
13th March Home (M) (arrived 25 Squadron)
15th March Lizzie
16th March E.W.S. M.A.
17th March Nellie
21st March Home (M)
24th March W. Joseph Runciman, 10 Wardlaw Drive, Rutherglen. Received parcel from Bucham.
24th March Mrs A.W. Watt.
[Accounts]
13 June 1/10/-
20 June 4/-/-
27 June 4/1/-
4 July 4/-/-
11 July 4/1/-
18 July 4/-/-
25 July 4/1/-
2 August 4/-/-
9 August 4/-/-
16 August 4/-/-
23 August 4/-/-
30 August 4/-/-
6 September 4/-/-
13 September 4/1/-
20 September 4/0/-
Service Pilot 23rd
22 October Cox & Co. 39.0.0
25 October A533576 – £10 – — 29-0-0
1November 7 £15 — 14-0-0
8 December £ 5 — 9.0.0
Additional Unknown Pictures
These pictures were among the bundle that came with the diary.
[1] Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser 22 March 1941.
[2] Headstone in Craigton Cemetery, Glasgow: Erected by Herbert Runciman in loving memory of his wife Mairi Ann Nicholson died in Glasgow 12th March 1941 aged 38. His sister Anabella Scollay Runciman died in Glasgow … 1961 aged 74. The above Herbert Runciman died 7th June 1978, aged 86.
[3] His brother, William Watson Runciman, 1892-1918.
[4] His sister, Helen Clark Runciman, 1872-1957.
[5] Possibly a relation of Herbert’s future wife.
[6] His brother, Henry Irvine Runciman, 1895-1919.
[7] Brother William Watson again.
[8] This is the date Herbert’s service as cadet began.
[9] This mark records the death of Corporal William Watson Runciman, Scots Guards & R.A.F. from August 1914, Died in Dundee War Hospital 4th November 1918 aged 29 (inscription on the family memorial in Craigton Cemetery).
[10] This telegram will have been the news that Herbert’s father Charles Runciman had died on 28 December 1918. The previous message may have been to say that Charles was gravely ill.