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Will, Grace, and World War One

100 years ago, a YMCA man writes home from the Western Front

May 12, 1918

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May 12, 2018

Will's "Aliens' Restriction Order" card lists him aboard the steamer Victoria arriving in Tilbury, Britain, on May 12, 1918.

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February 17-18, 1919

February 18, 2019

Excerpts from letters mailed together and dated February 17 and 18, 1919 My Dear Grace – Rec’d your letter this afternoon, some parts of it were just fine, but I see you opened up family matters again, I just wrote you a letter and tore it up so Ill try and keep off of that questions, No I have not received any Xmas box from any one this year, I guess it landed in France all right, as I received a card from [illegible] that there was a box there and also a card from Brest, that there was a box there for me, I filled out my slip and sent them back about Xmas time but, I never received either box… My there have been thousands of horses passing here all day to day, the British are shipping them home I guess… My Dear Grace – This is a nice warm morning just like it is home in May. the birds are all singing and every thing looks quite springey but perhaps in a hour or so, things will look different, I got thro’ work last night before dark which is about six o...

April 26-May 11, 1918

May 11, 2018

Excerpts from letters written at sea, April 26-May 11, 1918: My Dear Grace - We left the US. yesterday and are in convoy, are on a fairly good sized boy, Sorry I did not have time to see Florence. In my rush to get ready, I slammed the door a taxi and broke the glass the driver tried to string me $3.00 I offered him a $1, he said he would call a cop, well in got the cop and I paid $1, they don't string me if I can help it... I have the soft side of a settee to sleep on, but had a good night rest. Ralph is in the next state room and also has a settle to sleep on there are 2 births and 2 sette in a state room. This is a beautiful day, you would not think you were out on the ocean by the size of the waves We had drill at 3: P.M my boat is No 4 and so is Ralphs, and believe me if anything happens I will be right there when the bell rings all rigged out, two ladies are in our boat... I have my pockets full of English French and American money, don't know whether I go...

November 29, 1918

November 29, 2018

Excerpts from November 29, 1918 My Dear Grace - Am going to steal a few minutes and write to you, seems as if I don't get time to write any one but you I owe so many letter, I am going to send all I owe just a card with my picture Yesterday was Thanksgiving, I took the Ford. as we did not intend to work and started with a load of Choc. Cigrettes, Cigars + etc for Etretat which is about 18 mi north of here, as you will notice if you have a map of France was going o take it up to one of our Y. Huts I guess I had to big a load for the tires as I had one - H of a time, had to blow outs, and in mud, raining to beat the band, didn't get back untill nearly three o'clock. But i have "thanks'" that I got back at all, just had time to put on my new uniform and go get my picture taken before dark. Then Pat and I lay around in the room, untill the other fellows came up and then we had our Thanksgiving dinner, there was twelve of us, at the hotel, and we had a ...