Letters home from soldiers fighting in World War I
Lt. Glenn C. Hawk kept a journal while crossing the Atlantic. In it he describes conditions, food and activities aboard the British ship. He sent it home from France as his first letter home.
Editor’s note: This Looking Back by area historian Mike Franks is the first in a two-part series on World War I servicemen from the area and the correspondence they had with other locals.
World War I lasted over four years and involved 11 countries and 70 million military personnel. The United States came into the war late, declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
Stateside, once the military had become organized and camps started filling, soldiers and sailors began writing letters home, describing their experience and sharing observations of their new surroundings. Some of those letters were published in local newspapers, providing historical perspective of this great endeavor. A small portion of those letters are presented here. The dates indicate when they were published, unless otherwise noted, in the Wooster Daily News.
Oct. 9, 1917
Writing from Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Horatio Ebert wrote to Capt. Wiley K. Miller of the Wayne County Draft Board: “An hour ago we had our first meal in camp, which meal consisted of meat, bread, butter, potatoes, peaches, coffee, salt and vinegar.”
Later in the letter, he added, “The food is nourishing and adequate, but few of us are greatly excited over the next meal.”
Nov. 1, 1917
Writing from France as part of a volunteer service with the American Red Cross to supply ambulance and logistics support for France, D.O. Welty wrote home.
“My present surroundings are far from ideal for letter writing, but this is the only place where I will have time to write for some time. This morning as my car was in the shop, I didn’t think I would have to go out; however, about 4 a.m., pitch dark and cold, we were all roused out of bed, and I was told to take another car and go with the rest of the bunch as every possible car has got to be on the road today. It was raining when we started and has been up till about an hour ago — which don’t add much pleasure to the drive but helps in that it lays the dust. The cook gave up all grub to last us until tomorrow for there is no telling when we will get back. The rations consisted on ½ loaf of war bread, two pieces of cheese, four squares of sandy chocolate and two chunks of cold beef. When washed down with stale water, the above makes an exquisite meal fit for any truck driver.”
March 13, 1918
Wayne Markley is a pilot in training, describing his daily activities at Kelly Field in San Antonio, Texas. He recalls the Irishman, stating falling is the easy part. It’s the lighting that is hard. He goes on to recall how effortlessly his instructor can find a pathway through, seemingly unlimited aircraft all around him. Markley writes he is having the time of his life.
Aug. 1, 1918
Lt. G.C. Hawk decided to make a journal of his crossing of the Atlantic from USA to England, then send that home as his first letter home. It appears to have been about an eight-day crossing. Hawk writes he is making the crossing on a British ship and says the food and service were outstanding. He found the British accent entertaining, stating it was common for them to use the phrase, “right you are.”
He goes on to describe the entertainment for the men in transit: organized boxing and wrestling, singing quartets and checkers. The YMCA is aboard and provides a library of books to read. Hawk has chosen three books to read. He finishes two of them before reaching France: “Laddie” and “David Harum.”
Hawk describes the unique experience of saltwater baths, comparing them with the freshwater baths he is used to — some stark differences.
Hawk finally makes it to France, sends his sea journey journal to his parents and settles in for a few days of rest. He writes his parents to explain the culture he is witnessing. “I am having quite a bit of sport trying to talk French with the natives and handling foreign money. I do not think foreign wines and beers are good.”
Hawk finally makes it to his unit. He writes his parents that he is exhilarated being so close to combat. He compares it to his time in high school on the football team on game night. He closes, “Yes, numerous things are funny and queer, antique old buildings, real windmills like you have seen pictures of, and oh my, you should hear me: ‘polor voi francais,’ ‘merci boque,’ ‘con bien.’ Of course you don’t know what it all means, but if I can learn as much as I have hopes for — wow.”
In part two local soldiers document their battlefield experiences.
Mike Franks can be emailed at mlfranks@gmail.com.