WWI
WWI Doughboy Letter – Barre, VT Boy Compares Streets of France to the Granite Streets of Barre
A letter was delivered to Mr. Elmer Clark of 76 Maple Avenue, Barre, VT. in February of 1918. I’ve included a snapshot of 76 Maple in the photo below:
76 Maple Avenue, Barre, VT
The letter provides the Vermont World War One historian with a wonderful snapshot of life in France in the early days of American involvement. Sgt. Edward Clark was a truck driver who delivered supplies to front line troops but had the security of rear echelon protection to write his letters. Please enjoy this transcription and try to put yourself in Ed’s shoes:
Edward Clark Letter Cover
(Page One)
Dear Sis,
Just a few lines to let you know that I am well and feeling fine. We are stationed about 100 miles from the front and have to go up there every other day with supplies. To get back to when we first landed in France we received out trucks at a certain place and then drove them over land to General Headquarters. On reaching that place we were attached to that troop and have been with them ever since. The trip overland was about 400 miles so we had a good chance to see that part of the country. [Sgt. Clark appears to have refreshed his ink supply] From what I heard about France before I came over I thought that I would see greater things than we have in the States. But now if you should ask me I would say that France was 600 years behind the U.S.A. All there is to see is stone (Page Two)buildings two and tree stories high and the streets of Barre would make these streets look like a dump. When they talk about sunny France they will have to talk about it to someone else besides me.
I have received six or seven letters from Gin but none from you. What is the trouble, have you forgot that I am living? What is Elmer doing? From what I hear it must be a hard winter on him. We are in luck for one thing and that is we can go around part of the day in our shirt sleeves but in the morning and night we need our coats on. Not that it is so cold but it is damp and it goes right through you.
(Page Three) Is Royal staying with you yet? Gee it must seem good to him to get off the farm. How is Steve and all the rest of the folks? Well sis from the way things look over here we will be here for some time to come. Gee if I could only get back in the gold old U.S.A. They would never get me to come over here again. Well it is time for lights out so I will have to bring this to a close. Love to all. Write soon and often.
Brother,
Ed
Sgt. Edward Clark
Motor Truck Co. 304
General Headquarters
A.E.F
Want to read the letter in the original script?
Page 3 of Letter
Page 2 of Letter
Page 1 of Letter
WWI Photo – Female YMCA Worker in Germany w/ Good Uniform Details and Rare Beret Cap
YMCA Ladies were sent overseas to help bring a glimmer of American home life into the trenches in France and Germany. YMCA workers were attached to specific divisions and were tasked with putting on events, providing comforts of home, and entertaining the US soldiers with music and reading material. Interestingly enough, female YMCA workers were only selected from a pool of women ranging in age from 25-45 with a few older exceptions. No women whose parents were born in an enemy country could serve and women who were British or Canadian could not be sent to France. The YMCA was often criticized for price gouging US soldiers when charging fees for cigarettes, shaving material and everyday odds and ends.
Through a collecting friend and author I was able to obtain a nice side profile shot of a YMCA woman associated with the 9th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Division. The uniforms for the female YMCA workers was designed by Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt and was a gray-green in color with a French horizon-blue collar. The pair of US triangles on the upper collar lapel were embroidered in silk and sported red-edged details. This particular woman is wearing an incredibly rare beret stye hat with a felt YMCA patch attached.
WWI YMCA Worker
WWI Vermont RPPC Photo – Herbert L. French of Stratton/Lononderry, VT 1918 France 78th Div.
WWI Photos of Vermonters are hard to find and I continually search for superlative examples at flea markets and yard sales. This past May I was lucky enough to encounter a Vermonter dealer at a Massachusetts flea market. Low and behold, the seller had a fantastic image of a WWI Vermonter for sale! Herbert L. French is identified as being from Stratton, VT and as being a member of the 307th Field Artillery of the 78th Division.
Herbert L. French
WWI Vermont Roster Entry
Misidentified WWI Veteran Grave Card
WWI Draft Card
WWII Draft Card
WWI 29th Division 115th Infantry Regiment Panoramic Yardlong Photo – Amazing Details!
WARNING Large File Size
One of the hardest parts of collecting WWI panoramic photography is presenting it in a manner that allows for many people to view it. Each of my scanned examples takes at least an hour to scan in sections, and then digitally splice together. Here is a particularly good example from H Company of the 115th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Division. Note the Native American soldier as well as two soldiers wearing the ribbon for the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC). Sorry about the large file size.
Click HERE for the H Company, 115th Roster!
This photo was made into a giant panoramic painting!
I actually was able to do some research on Company H of the 115th and found some info on a few members that I was able to identify in the photo.
Robert S. Landstreet
Robert S. Landstreet
Place of Birth: Maryland, Baltimore
Home of record: Baltimore Maryland
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Robert S. Landstreet, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, A.E.F., near Bois-de-Consenvoye and Bois-de-la Grande Montague, France, October 8 – 16, 1918. On October 8 First Lieutenant Landstreet led his platoon through machine-gun and rifle fire in an advance which resulted in the capture of 300 prisoners and 12 machine-guns. On the morning of October 16 lie volunteered, with one sergeant, and straightened out the line of an adjacent unit. His movements were under constant machine-gun fire, and so close to the enemy that he, with his sergeant, captured two prisoners while accomplishing their mission.
Hugh P. McGainey
Place of Birth: Maryland, Baltimore
Home of record: Baltimore Maryland
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant Hugh P. McGainey (ASN: 1285511), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division, A.E.F., near Verdun, France, October 8 – 15, 1918. In the Bois-de-Consenvoye, east of the Meuse, Sergeant McGainey, in command of his platoon, led his men, under heavy machine-gun fire, and captured approximately 500 prisoners, three fieldpieces, and many machine-guns. On October 15 he voluntarily exposed himself to warn his men against gas, and was wounded by shrapnel. He refused to go to the hospital until ordered to do so by the medical officer.
General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 3 (1919)
Action Date: October 8 – 15, 1918
Pietro De Berardinis
Company H, 115th Infantry. For extraordinary heroism in action near Verdun, France, October 17th, 1918. In the Bose de Consenvoye, east of the Meuse, Pvt. De Berdaninis, acting in the capacity of a runner, carried three successive messages through heavy barrage of both own own and the enemy’s artillery, traversing a patch where two men had previously been killed by the same barrage.
Home address: Louis Brino, 3921 Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD.
George Anibal
A June 20th, 2016 post from a direct relative:
“Looking at the Robert lands tree photo.
Over his right shoulder, our left. Is George Anible of Michigan.”
Corporal George William Anible of Midland, Michigan
George William Anible of Midland, Michigan
Maine in the First World War: The Maine National Guard and the 54th Artillery Regiment Coastal Artillery Corps in WWI
Everyone knows that I love Vermont WWI material, but I also enjoy collecting photos from other New England states as well. I have a handful from every state but only one from Maine. Now I have another!
This fantastic interior studio RPPC has a ton of great qualities that drove me to make the purchase. The crossed flags at center, the helmet and pistol props, the uniform details, and the identification on the reverse all make it a great shot to add to the collection. This particular group is comprised of men from Portland and Bath.
Battery D of the 54th Artillery Regiment, C.A.C.
Identified to a Corporal Carl L. Pearson who I believe is positioned directly right of the flag, this shot shows a group of 19 soldiers posed in a French studio. This may be a record for my collection! I have a few with 6-8, but none with more than 10.
Pearson was from West Falmouth, Maine and was born in January of 1893. He enlisted with the National Guard in Portland in March of 1917 and reported for Federal service in June of that year. He was overseas from March of 1918 to March of 1919. This photo was taken in either late March, or April or May of 1918. He was promoted in early June of 1918. Since this photo shows him as a Corporal at the time of the photo, we know it was taken before his promotion. Also, his lack of OS chevron and the abundance of spats likely points towards an early photo taken in France.
A little info on the 54th CAC
Source: http://freepages.military.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cacunithistories/54thcac.htm
WORLD WAR I — 1917 – 1919The Coast Artillery Corps a Maine National Guard were mobilized on 25 July, 1917, and all companies, band, field officers, and non-commissioner staff officers reported on 27 July. 14 staff officers reported at Portland Coast Defenses and were assigned to duty in the Coast Defenses. The several companies were re-designated at once. This designation was changed again on 23 August 1917, and on 25 December 1917, nine of the thirteen C.A.C. Maine National Guard companies were made a part of the 54th Artillery, C.A.C., the supply company and Batteries B, D, E, and F, of the new 54th Artillery, C.A.C. 6 inch guns (Motor drawn), were entirely constituted from the nine companies Maine National Guard.
The 54th Artillery, C.A.C., was organized with a Headquarters Company, a supply company, and three battalions of two batteries each. Of the 6 batteries, four were taken from the Maine National Guard and from 25 December 1917, the further World War history of the C.A.C. Maine National Guard is properly that of the 54th Artillery since over 62 percent of its units were entirely Maine National Guard. In addition, only 30 percent of the units of the Maine National Guard were not included in the organization of the 54th Artillery C.A.C.
The 54th Artillery, CAC, (6-Inch Guns, Motor)
This regiment was organized in Portland Harbor Forts on 25 December 1917, five of its units being formed from National Guard units and three from Regular Army units.
The batteries of the 54th Artillery were organized as follows:
Headquarters Company, and Batteries A and C from the Regular Army.
Supply Company, from 20th Company, Lewiston.
Battery B, from 4th Company, Portland, and 7th Company, Biddeford.
Battery D, from 2nd Company, Portland, and 4th Company, Bath.
Battery E, from 3rd Company, Auburn, and 3rd Company, Kennebunk.
Battery F, from 9th Company, Lewiston and 11th Company, Portland.
Headquarters Company, Batteries C, D, E, and F, sailed from Portland, Maine, on the CANADA, 22 March 1918 and arrived Glasgow, Scotland 2 April, Winchester, England 3 April, and LeHarve, France, 6 April 1918.
The Supply Company, Batteries A and B, left Portland 14 March, sailed from Hoboken 16 March, 1918 on BALTIC arrived LeHarve, France, 6 April 1918.
The 54th Artillery C.A.C. was sent to rest camp at Mailly-le-camp (Aube) and on 2 May 1918, transferred to Haussimont (Marne), as replacement regimen to Railway Artillery Reserve and Tractor Artillery Regiments. On 20 September 1918, the 54th Artillery was reorganized into three battalion stations as follows:
1st Battalion, Training Battalion (A and B Battery) Angers (Marne-et-Loire).
2nd Battalion, Tractor replacement(E and F Battery), Haussimont (Marne) Angers (Marne-et-Loire.)
3rd Battalion, Unknown.
After the Armistice the 54th Artillery was assigned to Brest, and part of the Regiment sailed 23 February 1919 on the Vedic arriving in Boston 7 March 1919. It was completely demobilized at Camp Devons by 13 March 1919.
The four companies (1st, 6th, 10th and 12th) that were not formed into the 54th Artillery, C.A.C. were demobilized in January 1919 at Harbor Defenses of Portland however, but few of the original members of the companies remained in them late in 1918. Two large transfers of enlisted men from these batteries were made. The first was made on 23 August 1917, to the 26th Division Artillery and Engineers. One hundred-sixty-nine men were taken from these four companies in the transfer. On May 31 1918, the other large transfer was made to the 72d Artillery, C.A.C. From the 1st Company, 147 men were taken, and from the other three companies large numbers. However, the transfers were made as individuals no units being reformed or discontinued.
In July 1922, the regiment was reorganized and designated as the First Coast Defense Command, C.A.C., Maine National Guard. The regiment was formed into Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment, Band, Medical Detachment and 1st Fort Command.
1st Fort Command
301st Company, Portland, org. 1803 – later Btry A
306th Company, Sanford, org. 1903 – later Btry B
307th Company, Brunswick, org. 1884 – later Btry C
311th Company, Portland, org. 1807 – later Btry D
2nd Fort Command
303d Company, Camden, org. 1920 – later Btry E
304th Company, Thomaston, org. 1921 – later Btry F
305th Company, Rockland, org. 1921 – later Btry G
302d Company, Vinalhaven, org. 1921 – later Btry H
On 17 September 1923, the 1st C.D.C. was re-designated as the 240th Artillery, C.A.C., and individual batteries as shown above. The designation was again changed to 240th Coast Artillery, Harbor Defense, on 16 April 1924.
WWI Photo Research – Dedication Provides 26th Division, 103rd Regiment DSC Recipient’s Identity – Maine Veteran
Sometimes a little research and hard work pay off. In this case, I received a WWI 26th Division portrait in the mail from a friend in Pennsylvania. I knew it was a good image given the subject matter and the fact that the soldier was likely from the Lewiston area given the photographers embossed stamp. Not an easy task. I counted a dozen or so guys in a thirty mile radius of Lewiston that were possible contenders. Lots of Maine men were members of the 26th during the war, and it’s not always easy to associate a location given a photographers stamp.
Mellen F. Tuttle
With a little forensic work I was able to figure out the identity of our mysterious hero. Since I’ve handled thousands of vintage photos and negatives, I know that photographers often penciled info on the back of the print, or etched names/numbers on the bottom of the original negative. The numbers would cross reference to a name and address to ship the photo. In this case I was lucky to find a name etched on the original negative. Obviously it was in reverse on the positive image, so I flipped it 180 degrees with photoshop and tweaked the contrast and brightness. Bingo, a name appeared. Tuttle. A quick search found a Mellen F. Tuttle from New Gloucester, ME who served as a private in Company B of the 103rd Infantry Regiment.
Further research shows that his actual name was Francis Mellen Tuttle, but he went by Mellen F. Tuttle during the war. After an hour of searching in vain for the death records of Mellen F. Tuttle, I decided to search for birth records for the Tuttle family in Maine. I came across a Francis M. Tuttle Jr. and clicked on the birth record. His father was Francis Mellen Tuttle! Everything fell into place after that. Please see the end of the article for a photo of his grave showing his name as Francis M. Tuttle. Somehow he made it all the way to Los Angeles and passed away in 1961!
His feat of bravery occured on July 20th, 1918 on Hill 190 near Rochet Woods, Chateau Thierry. Mellen was with an automatic rifle team of Co. B of the 103rd when all of his fellow soldiers wounded. He single-handedly advanced on an enemy MG nest and forced them to retreat. His detachment was able to advance due to his bravery.
Reversed photographer etching
Hammond Brothers
Lewiston, ME Photographers Stamp
Maine soldier registry entry
Name: Mellen F. Tuttle
Serial Number: 67163
Birth Place: Freeport, Maine
Age: 22 6/12 yrs.
Residence: New Gloucester
Comment: Enl: NG Augusta, May 30/17. Pvt 1st cl Jan. 2/18; Cpl July 18/19. Org: Co B 2 Inf Me NG (Co B 103 Inf) to Mar. 6/19; 291 Co MPC to disch. Eng: St Mihiel; Defensive Sector. Awarded French Croix de Guerre; awarded DSC. Overseas: Sept. 26/17 to Aug. 3/19. Hon disch on demob: Aug. 8, 1919.
Note the Chateau Thierry reference on the grave marker!
World War One Solar Eclipse Captured in France 1918 – American Red Cross Nurse Photo Album Image
Although my East Coast residence prevented my viewing of the solar eclipse today, I am able to post a wonderful shot of an eclipse captured nearly 100 years ago. Snapped by a US nurse while stationed in Rimaucourt, France. I have an album of nearly 200 images following a Springfield, MA native through her WWI service. Some of the best shots come from her time with the 52nd Base Hospital. Enjoy!
WWI Photo – 89th Division Soldiers Pose w/ Mascot Dog France
Following up on one of my favorite common threads seen throughout WWI photography – I present yet another example of the unit mascot. Normally seen at the compnay level or below, the idea of having a small pet (normally a dog) as a mascot is very common throughout various nations during WWI. I’ve literally seen examples from the US, England, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and even Australia. I probably have 15-20 examples in my own collection, ranging from small children as mascots, to dogs, pigeons and even goats. My favorite are the small dogs. Here’s an example from the 89th Division. The collection of 8 photos came from a member of the 356th Infantry. Unnamed, but we know he was wounded at least once during the war due to the wound chevron on his right cuff.
Rare WWI 2nd Cavalry Photo RPPC Taken in France – 2nd Dragoons Training Station
A particularly special photo acquisition comes in the form of a 2nd Cavalry RPPC (real photo postcard) taken somewhere near Tours, France during the war. The 2nd Cav. trained only ten miles from my house in Vermont, at Fort Ethan Allen before their departure to Hoboken for transfer overseas to France. Considered by many to be the only true U.S. mounted cavalry units to serve during WWI, the 2nd Cav. was a unique unit that tends to be glossed over by WWI histories. I’m proud to add this photo to my collection!
Interesting details of the photo include a mascot puppy, the use of spurs, and a raggedy pigeon perched on a shoulder.
For those interested in reading more on the history of the 2nd Cavalry, check out this website: http://history.dragoons.org/category/world-war-i/
2nd Cav. Puppy Dog Mascot
Portraits of War 