Davidson Family papers, 1903-2018, bulk 1908-1978

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Summary

Title:
Davidson Family papers
Dates:
1903-2018, bulk 1908-1978
Creators:
Davidson, Ethel Helena, 1885-1906 Davidson, Frederick Arthur, 1906-1968 Wagner, Mary Davidson
Abstract:
The Davidson Family papers include photographs taken and correspondence written during Ethel Helena Davidson's time as an American Expeditionary Force nurse in France during World War I and Frederick Arthur Davidson's time in the United States Army between the 1920s and 1950s. Also includes a scrapbook of Ethel's war experience and army records for each of them.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Davidson Family papers, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection consists most prominently of the materials of Frederick Arthur Davidson and Ethel Helena Davidson. Frederick Davidson was the nephew of Ethel Davidson. Mary Davidson Wagner, daughter of Frederick Arthur Davidson, compiled the collection.

Among Ethel Davidson's materials are records pertaining to her time working as an Army nurse in France during World War I. These include photographs, letters, poetry, war records, and her discharge papers. Also included is a photograph album of family, friends, and fellow nurses, as well as a scrapbook of her time in France during the war. The scrapbook includes newspaper clippings, photographs, letters, drawings, and poetry. Records of Ethel's fight to receive a pension for her service in the War are also included.

The materials of Frederick Davidson consist primarily of correspondence and photographs documenting his time in the US Army from the 1930s into the 1950s. These photographs and letters pertain to Frederick's service in World War II and the Korean War. The bulk of the correspondence is with Frederick's sister, Bernice, though not exclusively. Correspondence with friends and other family members is also included. Stationed in England during the 1940s with wife Joan, topics include what life was like in England during the war, impending air raids, life with their new-born son, Dale, and Frederick's desire to build a boat. Photographs and correspondence reveal Frederick's nicknames: to his army comrades, he was known as Dave, and to his family he was Fritz. This collection also includes correspondence and photographs of Joan Hale Davidson.

Biographical / historical:

Ethel Helena Davidson born January 9, 1885 in Belleville, Hastings, Ontario, Canada. She moved to the United States in 1900, and in 1906 earned her Registered Nurse Certificate from the University of the State of New York, Albany. She then worked as a nurse in a hospital and lived with her mother and six siblings in Rochester, New York. In 1917, Ethel began serving in the US Army Nurse Corps. She was assigned to the Base Hospital, Unit 36, American Expeditionary Force in France. She was relieved of active service in April 1919. Ethel died on April 28, 1950 in La Jolla, California.

Frederick Arthur Davidson was born on January 17, 1906 in Rochester, New York. He joined the US Army at the age of 17. He was stationed in Panama in the 1930s with the US Army Signal Corps. While in Panama, he built a boat he named Gulliver. In 1942 he was assigned as an Ordnance Officer in the US Eighth Air Force in Bushy Park, Widewing, England in charge of the ammunition section. While there he met Joan Hale, with whom he married in 1943. Joan and Frederick had two children, Mary and Dale. Frederick was reassigned to the United States in 1947. He was stationed at Muroc Army Base in the Mojave Desert to clear unexploded bombs used for bombing practice during World War II. He then served in the Korean War between 1951 and 1953. He retired from the Army in 1955.

After serving in the Army, Joan and Frederick purchased a house in San Clemente, California. Frederick built a 24 foot fishing boat which he named "Mary Kathleen." Joan and Frederick's son Dale attended the University of San Diego and married 1967 USD Associated Students President Joylee Loftis. Frederick died April 28, 1968 in San Diego, California. Joan died July 8, 1978.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mary Davidson Wagner in June 2018. Additional materials donated by Mary Wagner in July 2018.
Processing information:

This collection was processed by Ashley Toutain in 2018.

Materials have been rehoused in alkaline folders. Folder titles have been transcribed exactly from the original. When no folder title was given, brackets [] have been used to describe included items.

Arrangement:

Records remain in original order.

Physical description:
1 box plus 3 oversize boxes, (3.5 linear feet)
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
Date Prepared:
© 2018
Date Encoded:

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Preferred citation:

[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, Davidson Family papers, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections.

Location of this collection:
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110 2492, US
Contact:
(619) 260-2730
spcoll@sandiego.edu
Website