"Elinore says I must name baby if it is a girl." Continue reading...
Month: April 2018
Looks Like We Got Ourselves a Convoy.
"We are nearing the danger zone, but no one seems to worry.” Continue reading...
Robert is Not an Anglophile.
"If Germany is whipped I bet Eng. and U.S. will have another war." Continue reading...
The Romance of an Ocean Voyage is Short Lived.
“One more ship joined us today. Life boat drill." Continue reading...
Life at Sea
"Transferred to bunk in steerage. Feel a little sea sick.” Continue reading...
Underway
"The weather is fine and I think we will leave today." Continue reading...
Aboard the Adriatic
April 24, 1918 - Letter from Robert to his mother:Co. B 140th InfantryAmer. Expeditionary ForcesDear MotherYou will notice I have a new address Amer. Exped. Forces. We left Camp Mills early this morning. I am writing this aboard ship but do not know when we will leave.I am not allowed to put the date, name … Continue reading Aboard the Adriatic
Bon Voyage
April 24, 1918 - Full diary entry:“Leave Camp Mills 6a.m.Loaded on English S.S. Adriatic.There are 12 ships going across. 33,000 men.Assigned state room 2nd class.”Robert certainly could have had a less comfortable trans-Atlantic voyage. The Adriatic was one of the largest and finest passenger ships of the era. This is from the US Army WWI Transport … Continue reading Bon Voyage
Special Delivery
April 23, 1918 - Full diary entry:“Burned my clothes in the fire. Will have to get another suit.On K.P.I hate to go and leave my dear Elinore.Received Special Delivery letter from Elinore also $5.00.”So now he has no suit, no bed, no gear… and he’s still not leaving camp today. At least he has five … Continue reading Special Delivery
Packing up
April 22, 1918 - Full diary entry:“Issued steel helmets. No work.Burned straw bunks and loaded barrack bags on freight train.No mail yet. Wrote cards saying I had arrived “over there” safely.”I just have to laugh a little, although I suppose it wasn’t at all funny for Robert. “Here’s your helmet, now please burn your bed and load all … Continue reading Packing up
