Finding Aid for the Wendell B. Thomson First World War correspondence 2017.112.w.r

Center for American War Letters Archives

Leatherby Libraries

Chapman University

Orange, CA 92866

speccoll@chapman.edu

URL: http://www1.chapman.edu/library/archives/

Contributing Institution: Center for American War Letters Archives

Title: Wendell B. Thomson First World War correspondence

Creator: Thomson, Wendell Bretney, 1893-1979

source: Eiswald, Jim

Identifier/Call Number: 2017.112.w.r

Physical Description: .05 Linear feet (2 folders)

Date (inclusive): 1917 September 8 - 1919 November 11

Abstract: This collection contains seven correspondence from PFC Wendell B. Thomson, AEF to his sister and mother during the First World War. Also included is one letter from Sgt. Howard Welch which appears to be addressed to the husband of Thomson's sister.

Language of Material: English .

Container: WWI 5

Container: 3-4

Container: 1-2

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Jim Eiswald, grandson of letter/postcard recipient.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by material type, author, and date.

Series 1, Correspondence from Wendell B. Thomson
Series 2, Other correspondence

Biographical / Historical

Private First Class Wendell Bretney Thomson, American Expeditionary Force (1/25/1893 - 12/25/1979) was born in Xenia, Ohio and grew up in Winchester. According to a biography of Thomson in the book "History of Ohio, Volume 3" by Charles B. Galbreath, Thomson's father, Nathan Richey Thomson, was a lieutenant in Company I of the 30th Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. The biography states that Thomson attended the Mueller School of Business in Cincinnati in 1911. He later taught at a rural school and was a postal clerk before enlisting on June 20, 1917 at age 24. Thomson served with the American Expeditionary Forces in France as a Private First Class and with the United States Army Ambulance Service.

According to the biographical entry, Thomson sailed on the San Jacinto on August 7, 1917 and arrived at Saint-Nazaire France on August 20, 1917. Among the battles he participated in were battles in French Lorraine and Mount Kemmel in Belgium. The book notes that for his service, Thomson was awarded the French Croix-de-Guerre.

He arrived back in the United States on the USS Pueblo in March of 1919 and was honorably discharged on April 7, 1919.

Information from the donor indicates that Thomson died on Christmas day 1979 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, Box number, Folder number], Wendell B. Thomson First World War correspondence (2017.112.w.r), Center for American War Letters Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Content Description

This collection contains seven letters that PFC Wendell B. Thomson wrote to his sister and mother while serving in France during the First World War. There is also a letter from a Sergeant Howard Welch that appears to be addressed to the husband of Thomson's sister.

The letters describe Thomson's trip to France and events and places in France. Letters of interest include a letter written on November 11, 1918 in which Thomson writes about the end of the war. Another letter from September 5, 1917 has portions cut out by a censor.

Conditions Governing Use

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.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Correspondence -- World War, 1914-1918

World War (1914-1918) -- France

Eiswald, Jim

box WWI 5, folder 3, folder 1

Series 1, Correspondence from Wendell B. Thomson 1917-1919

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains letters written by PFC Wendell B. Thomson, AEF to his mother and sister while he served with the Army in France during World War I.

Letters of interest include a letter written on November 11, 1918 in which Thomson writes about the end of the war. Another letter from September 5, 1917 has portions cut out by a censor. In the September 5, 1917 letter, Thomson also writes about a baseball game between Yale and Harvard.

box WWI 5, folder 4, folder 2

Series 2, Other correspondence 1918 December

Physical Description: .025 Linear Feet(1 folder)

Language of Material: English.

Scope and Contents

This series contains a single postcard that was written by Sgt. Howard Welch, AEF to Mr. I. W. Delp, which appears to be the husband of Wendell Thomson's sister. It is unclear if there is a connection between Welch and Thomson.