Publications of War

'Publications of War' provides a set of example publications to supplement the archive. This includes the complete run of issues of The Hydra. This was the magazine produced by the patients resident at Craiglockhart Military Hospital during the First World War, notably Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon. It is understandable that upon Owen's arrival at the hospital he was drawn to this literary outlet. Stallworthy in his biography of Owen (Wilfred Owen, Oxford, 1977, pp. 192-215 pbk. ed.) details Owen's contributions to the journal, most notably his taking over the editorship in time for the edition of the 4th August, 1917 (which also records the arrival of Sassoon at the hospital). The Hydra also records the first appearance of one of his poems in print 'Song of Songs' in the issue dated 1st September, 1917 (which also includes Sassoon's 'Dreamers').

In most other cases publications are single issues of each journal (which could in effect mean it is the complete print run). The items cover a range of publications from trench newspapers, propaganda material, and comical gifts.