The log is entitled 'Diary of the War' includes a list of officers on HMS THESEUS, the loss of HMS HAWKE suck by German Submarine U-9 on 15 October 1914 while out of sight of the rest of the Squadron at 10:30, followed by an unsuccessful attack on Theseus by the submarine and notes at the end he will keep a new diary in the CLAN MACNAUGHTON. The book is dedicated to Geoffrey and Gertie his children. Only half the book is used.
Ernest service record are on the national archives refernece: ADM 188/209/147286 and ADM 196/34/462.

Administrative / biographical background
Ernest George Courtis, born 2 November 1873 died 3 February 1915 on HMS CLAN MACNAUGHTON which sunk. He married Gertrude Montague in 1900 and they had two children Gertrude Ellen May Courtis and Geoffrey Ernest Montague Curtis. Ernest first joined in 2 November 1891. He became Acting Gunner 1 November 1898 and Chief Gunner 1 November 1913.