McKay, Chester (First World War correspondence), 1918 - 1922

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Summary

Title:
Chester McKay First World War correspondence
Dates:
1918 - 1922
Creators:
McKay, Chester M., 1888-1947, McKay, Hilda, 1891-1920, and Conner, LA
Abstract:
This collection contains 27 letters to Private Chester McKay, who served overseas with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe at the end of World War I. Most of the letters were written by his wife, Hilda McKay. The collection also includes letters written to Chester McKay by other family members. In addition to the letters, there are nine photographs, several blank postcards, and other documents.
Containers:
box: WWI 5
folder: 5-10
Extent:
.22 Linear feet (6 folders)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Chester McKay First World War correspondence (2017.150.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.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains 27 letters written to Private Chester M. McKay, American Expeditionary Force at the end of the First World War. He served with the Tank Corps in the US Expeditionary Forces. The collection was donated by LA Conner, who says they were in his mother's possession and he found them after she died. He writes that his mother, Verdie Conner, was a friend of the McKay family.

Most of the letters are written by McKay's wife, Hilda. In the letters she discusses her loneliness and writes about activities on the homefront at the end of World War I. She also writes frequently about news of soldiers returning home.

There are also letters from other family members, including Chester McKay's sister, Nettie, and his brother-in-law, Harry, who also served in World War I. Additionally, there is a letter from a man named George, who may have been McKay's brother-in-law.

Another letter is from a woman named Louise, whose relationship to Chester and Hilda McKay is unknown. The letter is addressed to Chester and she also mentions Hilda in the correspondence.

The collection also contains nine photographs, although there are no captions and the subjects are not identified. In one photograph, a soldier is standing next to a product sign written in French. Additionally, there are several blank postcards and a clipping of a magazine series called "Training Camp Tales" that ran in a publication titled "People's Favorite Magazine."

Biographical / historical:

Chester Miles McKay was born on August 8, 1888 in Harrison County, Texas. He was inducted into the Army on June 27, 1918 and sailed overseas on the Leviathan in late October of 1918, just before the war ended. Private McKay was assigned to the Tank Corps of the American Expeditionary Forces. He served with Casual Company A.

He served overseas in France from November 1918 to May 1919 and was honorably discharged on June 9, 1919.

McKay died on June 26, 1947.

Acquisition information:
Gift of LA Conner.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged chronologically by material type:

  • Series 1, Correspondence from Hilda McKay to Chester McKay
  • Series 2, Correspondence from Family Members to Chester McKay
  • Series 3, Other correspondence
  • Series 4, Graphic materials
  • Series 5, Ephemera
Physical description:
Two of the pictures in the Graphic Materials series arrived torn in half and were placed in plastic sleeves.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-03-24 17:36:14 -0400 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

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. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Preferred citation:

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Chester McKay First World War correspondence (2017.150.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.

Contact:
(714) 532-7716
privette@chapman.edu
Website