Description
This collection contains letters, military documents, and ephemera from Pvt. William G. Clay, AEF to his family during the
First World War.
Background
Private William Graves Clay, American Expeditionary Force was born in Honey Grove, Texas and was a high school instructor
prior to enlisting in the armed forces. He was 5'6" with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a fair complexion. At the age of 29,
with no wife or children, Clay enlisted in the army on May 23, 1918 at Texarkana, Texas. Pvt. Clay of Company "C" 127th Machine
Gun Battalion, Army Serial # 1415483, suffered from acute rheumatic fever and rheumatoid arthritis, was hospitalized months
after enlisting, and thus did not serve in any battles, skirmishes, or expeditions. He was honorably discharged in April,
1919. After the war, Clay attended the North Texas State Teachers College and in 1940, earned a Master of Arts in Public School
Administration. His thesis was titled "An Evaluation of the New Boston Secondary School." He later became the superintendent
of New Boston, Texas and served in that position for 24 years. His daughter, Mary Pearson, described her father as a quiet,
intelligent, caring man that never talked about the war and had a dislike of guns and war. She noted he always observed events
on Memorial Day and other patriotic holidays.
Restrictions
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.