Descriptive summary
|
creator:
|
Guernsey, Lamar
R. (1897-1981) |
|
title:
|
Papers
|
|
dates:
|
1917-2007, n.d. |
|
extent:
|
0.42 linear ft.
(1 document box) |
|
collection number:
|
MS 354
|
|
repository:
|
Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.
|
Administrative
information
|
access:
|
Open for research
|
|
publication rights:
|
Consult Head, Special Collections Department
|
|
preferred
citation:
|
Lamar R.
Guernsey Papers, MS 354, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.
|
Biographical
note
|
Lamar R. Guernsey was born to Mr. and Mrs. J. J.
Guernsey on April 24, 1897. In November 1917, with his family living
in Marshalltown, Iowa, Guernsey enlisted in the U.S. Army and was
stationed with Co. C, 6th Field Signal Corps out of Fort
Leavenworth, Kansas. By June 1918 Guernsey's unit had been
transferred to Camp Wadsworth in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in
preparation for entry into the war in Europe. He arrived in France
on July 23, 1918, and served in the American Expeditionary Forces.
Guernsey's unit was stationed at the Vosges front from September 1
to October 12, 1918, and then transferred to the Argonne offensive
in reserve. Following the end of the war, Guernsey was discharged
from Camp Dodge, Iowa, in June 1919.
Lamar Guernsey's last residence was in Urbana, Iowa. He passed away
January 1981. |
|
Collection description
|
This collection (1917-2007, n.d.)
contains correspondence of Lamar R. Guernsey shortly before and
during his service in the U.S. Army during World War I. Guernsey's
two main correspondents are his parents in Marshalltown, Iowa, and
Evelyn "Betty" Thompson, a friend who attended Cornell College in
Mount Vernon, Iowa, and later was a school teacher in Palo, Iowa.
Guernsey often asked about friends and family back home and shared
with his parents what he could about his experiences in the war. He
described his overseas trip, the landing, and some of the equipment
he carried with him. He also wrote about his experiences in France
and shared his views on the French culture.
In his letters to Betty before his enlistment, Guernsey inquired
about her college activities and briefly told about his time spent
at Iowa State College (University) and the push ball tournament he
saw there in 1917. While he served in the military, Guernsey
described living conditions, how he spent his Christmas overseas,
and some of the places he was able to see and visit while in France.
He also related a story about a meal shared with a local French
family.
The collection also contains several letters between members of the
R. E. J. Thompson family including letters received by Evelyn
"Betty" Thompson from other servicemen. Her brother, Cecil, also
served in the war and wrote several letters to Betty and to his
parents. In a letter to his parents, Guernsey commented that Cecil
had been hospitalized following a chemical gassing.
A collection of photographs from the 1930s showing military
exercises are included in the papers including a photograph of an
unidentified serviceman (possibly Guernsey). Guernsey's World War I
dog tag is located in the artifact collection. |
|
Organization
|
|
The collection
is arranged with biographical information listed first, followed by
Guernsey's letters, Thompson family letters, and photographs. |
Container list
| Box
|
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
| 1 |
1 |
Biographical information |
1919,
2007 |
|
Artifact collection |
Dog tag
(Artifact 2007-315.01) |
ca. 1918 |
| 1 |
2 |
Letters
from Lamar Guernsey to parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Guernsey (17
letters) |
1918 |
| 1 |
3 |
Letters
from Lamar Guernsey to parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Guernsey (16
letters) |
1919 |
| 1 |
4 |
Letters
to Lamar Guernsey from Mrs. J. J. Guernsey (mother) (3 letters) |
1919-1920 |
| 1 |
5 |
Letter
to Lamar Guernsey from Catherine Guernsey (sister) |
1919 |
| 1 |
6 |
Letters
from Lamar Guernsey to Evelyn "Betty" Thompson (4 letters) |
1917 |
| 1 |
7 |
Letters
from Lamar Guernsey to Evelyn "Betty" Thompson (20 letters) |
1918 |
| 1 |
8 |
Letters
from Lamar Guernsey to Evelyn "Betty" Thompson (20 letters) |
1919 |
| 1 |
9 |
Letters
to Lamar Guernsey from Evelyn "Betty" Thompson (3 letters) |
1919 |
| 1 |
10 |
Letters
to Evelyn "Betty" Thompson from Cecil Thompson (brother), her
mother, and others (including servicemen) (7 letters) |
1917-1918 |
| 1 |
11 |
Letters
from Cecil Thompson to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. E. J. Thompson
(2 letters) |
1918 |
| 1 |
12 |
Letters
to Ada Thompson from Corporal Robert O. "Bob" Bates (2 letters) |
1919 |
| 1 |
13 |
Miscellaneous letters: Howell C. Borden draft qualification postcard
and letter from Jno. T. Palmer to "Dear Friend" |
1918,
n.d. |
| 1 |
14 |
Photographs: Military exercises (27- 3x5 b/w photographs) |
1935,
n.d. |
|
