My grandfather, Robert Donald West, was born in 1895 in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was conscripted into the army in 1918 and fought in France with the 140th Infantry, 35th Division. On these pages, you'll read entries from his 1918 diary, the letters he sent home to his parents and sisters, and my thoughts about all of this. Thanks for visiting! Continue reading...
Memorabilia
A collection of Robert's insignia, photos, dogtags, etc. See more....
Lake Rebecca
Pictures of Robert, Elinore and Bob Jr. at Lake Rebecca. See more...
Postcard to Lenora
This is it: the last piece of Robert's writing during this amazing period of his life. Continue reading...
Newport News
"Seems mighty good to be home again." Continue reading...
Homeward Bound
"Sailed Apr. 15th. Mighty glad to leave." Continue reading...
Letter to Dad
"the latest A.E.F. disease, ie "the gangplank itch." We all have it bad. Embarkation officers have the "gangplank itch" also. They admit it. No doubt Gen. Black Jack has it too. The only real cure is "Get the boys home toot sweet!" then we will have it no more." Continue reading...
Letter to Mother
"It is a part of a doughboy's life to kick you know. It is our privilege to kick. I have seen men after going twenty-five miles in the dark curse the Army and swear that they will go only to the next town and absolutely quit. But they don't quit they go right on and continue to curse our good army and the men that are in it." Continue reading...
Letter to Mother
"[A]t last I am on the sea and Chaplain Edwards said this morning that this was our last Sunday in France, and I am weeping no tears unless they be of joy." Continue reading...
Postcard to Ruth
Postcard to Robert's sister Ruth. Continue reading...
Letter to Dad
"We can see the harbor here and can see and hear the ships coming + going. They are taking the 91st Division out now. They have nearly all gone and the 35th is next. I will land at Newport News. Camp Lee Virginia. From there I will take the Camp Dodge men to Des Moines to be discharged. I do not know how long this will take but I do not think it will be long." Continue reading...
MN Doughboy 1918 