Original British WWI Named 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment Diary & Drawing Group – India & Mesopotamian Campaign Original Items

Original Group. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous grouping named to Leonard Oxford Caton, who served in India and Mesopotamia during World War I. The grouping includes a photograph of Caton, his diary, unit badge, ribbons, and two gorgeous original drawings done of likely Indian citizens. Caton enlisted on November 17th, 1915, and served in India during WWI, later moving to Mesopotamia, where he was captured.

The grouping includes:
• Caton’s “Soldier’s Small Book” with his information and service number, 22652. There is a postcard photo of Caton inside with a studio stamp in Ispwich. Contains Caton’s service history and description.
• Postcard photo of a shrine in Poona City, sent home to Caton’s mother with writing on the back.
• Drawing of Indian man with palm trees in background, holding a walking stick. Measures 5¾ x 6½”. Very detailed.
• Drawing titled “The Mid-day Wash” depicting Indian women washing under an archway, with trees and houses in the background. Signed L.O. CATON in the bottom right. 8½ x 7½”.
• Canton’s diary with many entries scattered throughout and reads more like a memorandum than a diary. Some good information with approximately 36 hand-written pages.
• Cap badge for the Norfolk Regiment.
• 2-place ribbon bar with the British WWI Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
• 2 photos of British troops, likely later.

This is a tremendous ephemera grouping to a British soldier who saw harsh fighting in Mesopotamia, his battalion being captured after being besieged at Kut-al-Amara. A great group ready for further research and display.