Finding Aid for Harold A. Spencer First World War correspondence 2018.100.w.r
Benjamin Stevens
Center for American War Letters Archives
5/24/2019
Leatherby Libraries
Chapman University
Orange, CA 92866
speccoll@chapman.edu
Contributing Institution:
Center for American War Letters Archives
Title: Harold A. Spencer First World War correspondence
source:
Martin, Sue Stamp
Creator:
Spencer, Harold A., Private
Identifier/Call Number: 2018.100.w.r
Physical Description:
.025 Linear Feet
(1 Folder)
Date (inclusive): 1917 December 12 - 1919 March 28
Abstract: This collection contains nine letters and four postcards from Pvt. Harold A. "Horace" Spencer, AEF to Jean I. Wilson during
the First World War.
Language of Material:
English
.
Container: WWI 13
Container: 16
Container: 1
This collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Sue Stamp Martin.
This collection is arranged chronologically.
No personal information for Private Harold A. Spencer, American Expeditionary Force. He served with the 42nd division during
their time as an occupatioinal force in Europe after the First World War.
[Item title / description; Box "n" / Folder "n"], Harlod A. Specner First World War correspondence (2018.100.w.r), Center
for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.
For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this
collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.
This collection contains the correspondence from Pvt. Harold A. Spencer, AEF through his service at home and in Europe during
the First World War.
All correspondence addressed to Miss Jean Wilson.
• Postcard dated October 16, 1917, sent from Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.
A thankyou note for the congratulations he received on passing his physical.
• Envelope dated December 12, 1917 contains a two paged letter (front and back) dated December 12, 1917, written in New Jersey.
The letter conveyed the inner workings and issues of PVT Spencer's local church and the choir.
• Envelope dated April 8, 1918 contains a two paged letter (front and back) dated April 7, 1918, written at Camp Dix, New
Jersey.
In this letter PVT Spencer included his unit information, Company F, 310th Infantry, Camp Dix, NJ. Wrote about his first week
in the Army and the in-processing he went through as well as the weather during that period. He continued to write about the
food and what he was learning.
• Envelope dated April 21, 1918 contains a three paged letter (front and back) dated April 21, 1918, written at Camp Dix,
New Jersey.
The letter discussed the recipient's job and the likelihood of PVT Spencer's departure overseas happening soon. He continued
to write about how they were preparing the men for war in the trenches. He also wrote about the parades his unit was participating
in.
• Postcard dated May 16, 1918, sent from Camp Dix, New Jersey.
Short and basic update
• Envelope dated July 3, 1918 is a one paged letter, written during overseas transportation to "over there."
The letter described some of the journey and PVT Spencer expressed concern for his mother and charge the recipient with her
care.
• Envelope dated July 30, 1918 contains a four paged letter (front and back) dated July 13, 1918, written from "somewhere
in the Hills o' France."
The letter described PVT Spencer's transportation to France and a description of the area they are training and staying in.
He claimed he and one of his friends were both in the intelligence detail of his battalion.
July 26, 1918, the letter began again informing the recipient they had moved locations and the method of their transportation.
• Envelope dated September 2, 1918 contains a three paged letter (front and back) dated August 25, 1918, written in La Havre,
France.
The letter described the housing the men were living in throughout France, transportation methods, and an additional recollection
of the overseas portion of his transportation to France.
• Envelope dated November 29, 1918 contains a three paged letter (front and back) dated November 27, 1918, written in Luxemburg.
He wrote explaining his transfer to the 42nd Division, which he referred to as, "the rainbow." He wrote about the lack of
Thanksgiving Day celebrations in Europe. He then went on to describe their journey across Europe as an occupational force.
He described the differences between France, Belgium, and Luxemburg.
• Postcard for Christmas. No date. Signed Harold
• Envelope dated January 11 contains one page folded in half for a four paged letter dated December 31, 1918, written in Lohndorf,
Germany.
The letter described issues with the mail and what he had received so far and from whom. He wrote about the sights he would
still like to see before they are sent home. Wrote about what New Year's Eve and his plans.
• Envelope dated March 21, 1919 contains one page folded in half for a four paged letter dated March 20, 1919
PVT Spencer wrote about coming home and what his plans might be. He also wrote about a boat trip he took down the river Rhine
to Cologne and back up.
• Postcard for Easter (most likely from March 28, 1919) with the army of occupation stamp.
There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Adventure travel
Armed Forces -- Correspondence
Christianity
Christmas
Church buildings.
Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918
Landscapes.
Military
Music
Postcards.
Baby boom generation
Rationing
United States -- Army -- American Expeditionary Force.
United States. -- Army. -- American Expeditionary Forces
United States Postal Service.
War recovery
World War (1914-1918)
World War (1914-1918) -- Belgium.
World War (1914-1918) -- Christmas
World War (1914-1918) -- England
World War (1914-1918) -- Hospitals.
World War (1914-1918) -- Personal Narratives.
World War (1914-1918) -- France
Worship programs.
Martin, Sue Stamp