World War I Diary

Introduction

My grandfather, Ervin Earl Putnam was an X-Ray Technician during World War I.  He kept a diary of his time in the army which I will post here.  He also took a number of photos that I will incorporate where I can.  He labeled them with the place they were taken and the year.  I'll do my best to insert them in the diary where appropriate.  Currently, the original document has been misplaced,  so I am taking this from a transcription my brother did 20ish years ago. 

Front

Corp. E.E. Putnam

Camp Greene, N.C.

Diary

Corp. Ervin E. Putnam

6 Elm Street

Houlton, ME

Home Phone: 297 M

Emergency Contact:  Amos Putnam, 6 Elm Street, Houlton, ME

Hospital: Base Camp Greene

Weight: 149 lb

Height: 5' 5"

Watch Make: South Bend

Shoe Size 7 1/2

Hosiery: 10 LL

Hat: 7

Contacts:

Clarence Caswell

838 Kursington Rd.

Los Angeles, CA

Joseph Fogerty

482 Delaware Ave.

New York, NY

Jim Gillin

1st Co. 1st Batt.

Depot Brigade

Camp Devens

Gus Dow

2nd Co. 1st Batt.

Depot Brigade

Camp Devens

January 1918

• Thursday January 17th, 1918: Charlotte, NC 

  • Received Corporals Warrant

• Thursday January 24th, 1918:

  • Camp quarantined for two weeks for meningitis.

February 1918

• Monday February 4th, 1918:

  • Took out $10,000 life insurance

  • Big games on these days

• Tuesday February 5th, 1918:

  • Paid today $18.37. Muddy as hell and then some.

• Wednesday February 6th, 1918:

  • In town with X-Ray Patients.  Half day off. Nothing doing.  Had a head on collision with trolley car.  Freeman + g + $12.00.

• Thursday February 7th, 1918:

  • First good day this spring.  Fairly hot. Cleaned up the shack. +3.00

• Friday February 8th, 1918:

  • Another good day. Capt. O.D. mud drying up fast. quarantine extended for another week. 80'

• Saturday February 9th, 1918:

  • Went to Charlotte with Patients,  X-Ray material coming in.  Corking good day. +$6.00 85'

• Sunday February 10th, 1918:

  • Day off worked just the same. Great day 86' above $3.00+

• Monday February 11th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing Great weather 88' $1.85+

• Tuesday February 12th, 1918:

  • Just the same. Great day 78' $4.00-

• Wednesday February 13th, 1918:

  • Foggy + raining a little.  80' Go to the Sanatorium.  Cleaned up fine. 90+

• Thursday February 14th, 1918:

  • 80' Sanatorium again. Had Dinner at Browns. Quarantined for another week.  First drill since leaving Ft. Ethan Allen.  84'

• Friday February 15th, 1918:

  • First Thunderstorm of the year. Physical instructions. Day off.

• Saturday February 16th, 1918:

  • Charlotte again.  1st. M.H.F.A. leaves for Spartanburg. 88' 1st N.H. leaves for foreign services.

• Sunday February 17th, 1918:

  • Worked some on the X-Ray room. Nearly done.

• Monday February 18th, 1918:

  • Sergeants exam this a.m. postponed. Missed trip to Charlotte in afternoon.  Got to town about five o'clock.  Stayed out to supper with Capt. Carney.  Went to pictures and then stayed all night.

• Tuesday February 19th, 1918:

  • Started wiring X-Ray room.  Cool + rainey

• Wednesday February 20th, 1918:

  • Same job

• Thursday February 21st, 1918:

  • Same thing. transformer doesn't work.  Cold.

• Friday February 22nd, 1918:

  • In town with ambulance. Stuck for 3 hours on the road. got back 4 o'clock. Finished up X-Ray.

• Saturday February 23rd, 1918:

  • Started taking pictures 10 o'clock. 15 in two hours. Getting Warmer.

• Sunday February 24th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing today chilly.

• Monday February 25th, 1918:

  • Busy as ever and then some. Fire back of officers quarters.

• Tuesday February 26th, 1918:

  • Just the same

• Wednesday February 27th, 1918:

  • Just the same

• Thursday February 28th, 1918:

  • Just the same

March 1918

• Friday March 1st, 1918:

  • Just the same

• Saturday March 2nd, 1918:

  • Left camp for 24 hour pass. with Capt. Carney, Files and Freeman

• Sunday March 3rd, 1918:

  • Went to Statesville, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Lexington, Concord.  Visited National Cemetery and old Confederate prison at Salisburg.  238 miles

• Monday March 4th, 1918:

  • Busy as the devil.

• Tuesday March 5th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Wednesday March 6th, 1918:

  • Paid today $14.40

• Thursday March 7th, 1918:

  • Thunder shower last night.

• Friday March 8th, 1918:

  • Clear and warm

• Saturday March 9th, 1918:

  • The same

• Sunday March 10th, 1918:

  • Played ball in the afternoon.  Went to town and then Davidson College.  clear and cool.

• Monday March 11th, 1918:

  • Busy as hell.

• Wednesday March 13th, 1918:

  • Barracks 7 won from barracks 2 by score of 7 to 1.

• Friday March 15th, 1918:

  • Barracks 6 won from barracks 3 by score of 4 to 1.

• Sunday March 17th, 1918:

  • Game call on account of rain 7 + 2

• Monday March 18th, 1918:

  • Rain

• Tuesday March 19th, 1918:

  • Cloudy

• Wednesday March 20th, 1918:

  • Rain

• Thursday March 21st, 1918

  • Good boxing at Y. Rain

• Friday March 22nd, 1918:

  • Afternoon out first for really two months.

April 1918

Ervin started to take notes on his X-Ray training in his diary at the end of March into April.  I have tried to include them but left the dates out as they seemed irrelevant.

• 140 v. a.c. Idle

• 117 V. a.c. Load

• Gives 5 M.A.

• For Flouriscopic

• For pictures

• 160 v. a.c. Idle

• 117 v. a.c. Loaded

• Gives 10. M.A.

• Distance 20”

•  Exposure formula

• If two bodies are in the same plane they have the same shadow traverse. Conversely.

• Triangular Methode

• Tube shift 10 c.m.

• Traverse shadow is opposite direction

• Localizating

• 10 base is to other 

• 2 base as anodal tube

• Distance miners x is to x

• Strolls Method

  • 1. Determine vertical ray. 2. Determaine anode-plate distance which should be 60 c.m. 3. Place plate on table and place marker at place where vertical ray passes. 4. Make setting to be 10 c.m. Tube shift.

  • Place patient so foreign body will not lie in plane of tube shift.

  • With indicator in position place central ray over marker.

  • Expose

  • Move tube 5 c.m. to left and mark skin. Move to

• Saturday April 20th, 1918:

  • Received orders to go to Army Med. at Washington, D.C. at 11-30. Leaft on 7:30 train.

• Sunday April 21st, 1918: 

  • Reported to school at 12-30.  Then wandered around city.  British aviator flies around monument.

• Monday April 22nd, 1918:

  • First class 9- to 1030 Drilled on capitol grounds till 12. Reported back at 1

• Tuesday April 23rd, 1918: 

  • Chart of wiring + Chart of Rheostate Buttons.  Finished

• Wednesday April 24th, 1918:

  • Organized ball team first practice.

• Thursday April 25th, 1918:

  • Plan of dark room finished.  Ruth laws gave exhibition

• Friday April 26th, 1918:

  • Liberty Day. 50,000 people in parade.

• Saturday April 27th, 1918:

  • First quiz and ball game in afternoon.

• Sunday April 28th, 1918:

  • Went to monument and the National Museum.

  • Col. Lee Loops the loop again

• C Hearts Compass right 10 c.m. and mark skin

• Explore in this position

• Make exposures in both places on the same plate.

July 1918

My grandfather didn't seem to enter any information for May and June and overwrote the dates with July of 1919.  He did list some names at the beginning of May but I don't know if they are related to his time in Washington or France.  I have listed them here.

• W.J. Martin

• 99 Rockland St., Swanpscott Mass.

• W.A. Dittmar

• 123 Wayne St., Jersey City N.J.

• E.D. Armstrong

• Athens New York

• Joseph H. Baborsky

• New York

• Wittkoop D.

• Bay City

• 2019-4th Ave. Mich.

• Owen Harold

• Detroit

• 282 Magnolia St. Mich

• Tuesday July 2nd, 1918:

  • Started Boarding at 222 3rd St. at night.

• Wednesday July 3rd, 1918:

  • Paid till the 20th of July 18 da.

• Tuesday July 9th, 1918:

  • Paid today

• $34-12 Room + pay

  • Birthday Last time

• Wednesday July 10th, 1918:

  • Received overseas outfit, list on last page

I'm inserting the list here for reference:  1/2 shelter tent, Blue Denims, Fatigue Cap, 3 pr. socks, 3 pr. shoes + Leggins Lace, 1 pr. Leggins, 1 pr. Leather Gloves, 1 O.D. Blouse, 1 F.A. Packet. Canteen, 1 F.A. Belt + Axe Mess Kit, 1 Haversack, and 1 F.A. Pouch.

• Thursday July 11th, 1918:

  • Rec'd certificate of proficiency from Army Med. School

• Friday July 12th, 1918:

  • Board Bill Due pd.

• Sunday July 14th, 1918:

  • Nothing to do but drill from now on till our orders come in

• Monday July 15th, 1918:

  • Drill and show in the afternoon

• Tuesday July 16th, 1918:

  • The Same as usual

• Wednesday July 17th, 1918:

  • Took in Garitty Theatre for 1

• Thursday July 18th, 1918:

  • Laid around all day.

• Friday July 19th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Saturday July 20th, 1918:

  • All day off.

• Sunday July 21st, 1918:

  • Reported at school at 9:00 a.m. no orders as yet. warm as the deuce.

• Monday July 22nd, 1918:

  • Orders to leave for parts unknown.  Everybody happy.

• Tuesday July 23rd, 1918:

  • Got our ration money + room allowance $43.00

• Wednesday July 24th, 1918:

  • Leaft Washington 9:00 a.m.  Arrived at Camp Merritt N.J. Same day

• Thursday July 25th, 1918:

  • July Replacement

• Friday July 26th, 1918:

  • Draft Med. Corps. Overseas Casuals Camp Merritt N.J.

• Sunday July 28th, 1918:

  • Sergt. Paul Lord

  • Calais, Maine

  • July Replacement

• Monday July 29th, 1918:

  • Med. Corps Washington D.C.

  • Overseas Casuals

• Tuesday July 30th, 1918:

• A.E.F. France

August 1918

• Friday August 2nd, 1918:

  • Left Camp Merritt at 5-30 a.m. Arrived at Alpine Landing Ferry 9-30. boarded transport at 12:00

• Saturday August 3rd, 1918:

  • Fair. No land in sight. convoyed by two destroyers.

• Sunday August 4th, 1918:

  • Reveille 6-00 A.M. Fair + Warm

  • No-one sick yet. Destroyers leave us

• Monday August 5th, 1918:

  • Fair + Warm

  • Some sick, but otherwise everything o.k.

• Tuesday August 6th, 1918:

  • Fair + Warm

  • Same old story nothing doing

• Wednesday August 7th, 1918:

  • Raining a little. Stayed below all day.  Entered danger zone.

• Thursday August 8th, 1918:

  • Some rough. Most of the fellows are coming to it. Man overboard. Lost.

• Friday August 9th, 1918:

  • No excitement

• Saturday August 10th, 1918: 

  • Picked up destroyers 6 A.M.  

  • Landed at 3-30 p.m.

• Sunday August 11th, 1918: BREST, FRANCE

  • Slept in "Pup" tents to-night. First night in France. Brest, France

• Monday August 12th, 1918: 

  • hiked down to Barracks in morning.

• Tuesday August 13th, 1918:

  • Portaninzin Barracks Some place + bunks.

• Wednesday August 14th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Thursday August 15th, 1918:

  • Brest France Went to town with detail same time.

• Friday August 16th, 1918:

  • Played ball + tennis

• Saturday August 17th, 1918:

  • Played tennis

• Sunday August 18th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Monday August 19th, 1918:

  • Tennis

• Tuesday August 20th, 1918:

  • Tennis

• Wednesday August 21st, 1918:

  • Ball game lost 8-1

• Thursday August 22nd, 1918:

  • Getting ready to move. Out on detail

• Friday August 23rd, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Saturday August 24th, 1918:

  • Packing up for moving

• Sunday August 25th, 1918:

  • Leaft Pontanenzen Barracks 5 o'clock.  Arrived at Brest 6:00 A.M. deMyers. Took train for St. Aigan.

• Monday August 26th, 1918: St. Aignon De Novers, France

  • Riding all day.  Arrived at St. Aignon De Novers at 10 o'clock p.m. Billeted in a Farm House.

• Tuesday August 27th, 1918:

  • Up at five packed and ready to leave. Classified and Hiked out to the camp 6 miles.

• Wednesday August 28th, 1918:

  • Tin Derbyshire and gas masks issued. Instruction in gas in A.M. Drill in the afternoon.

• Thursday August 29th, 1918:

  • Lectures in A.M. Drill all the afternoon Two fellows leave. Byrd and Atkinson.

• Friday August 30th, 1918:

  • Seven more leave. Hartman, Houssler, Hain, Cummings, Groff, Matheis, Myers.

• Saturday August 31st, 1918:

  • No drill to-day. Three more men go. Writ, Whycoff, and Norris.

September 1918

• Sunday September 1st, 1918:

  • Nothing doing first fair meal for an age.  Another bunch picked out. Leave tomorrow.

• Monday September 2nd, 1918: Labor Day

  • Lecture in the A.M. half holiday.

• Tuesday September 3rd, 1918:

  • Cleaned up the streets of Thesis France. some job

• Wednesday September 4th, 1918: 

  • Lecture and drill. Bunk with Jim Martin

• Thursday September 5th, 1918:

  • Same as usual. "Corned Willie" for 3 meals.

• Friday September 6th, 1918:

  • Rain, bunk fatigue all day. First rain since arriving in France.  Corned Willie for 3 meals

• Saturday September 7th, 1918:

  • Still raining. Army holiday. all the time Corned Willie for 3 meals and we are still alive.

• Sunday September 8th, 1918:

  • And still the rain keeps up. Corned Horse again for 3 meals.

• Monday September 9th, 1918:

  • Lecture and drill. Rain a little in p.m. The horse again appears.

• Tuesday September 10th, 1918:

  • Raining, no reveille.  Water under and over everything.  Nearly up to the top of my tick. Red Horse as usual.

• Wednesday September 11th, 1918:

  • Still raining no reveille. Corned mush + syrup for breakfast. No lecture. Red Horse for dinner + Supper.

• Thursday September 12th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Friday September 13th, 1918:

  • Detail work

• Saturday September 14th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Sunday September 15th, 1918:

  • Leaft camp at 6 p.m. For Bazoiller Sur Meuse (Voyer)

• Monday September 16th, 1918: Langres, France

  • Still traveling, change cars at Langres at 4-41 p.m.

• Tuesday September 17th, 1918: 

  • From Langres to Bazoilles Sur Meuse. Arrived at 8-30 A.M.

• Wednesday September 18th, 1918:

  • Started in at school this a.m. Lecture in L'Aster Engine.

• Thursday September 19th, 1918:

  • Continued to-day. No excitement.

• Friday September 20th, 1918:

  • Air raid on Neufchateau last night no damage.

• Saturday September 21st, 1918:

  • Half Holiday Nothing doing

• Sunday September 22nd, 1918: Neufchateau, France

  • Walked to Neufchateau. Best town yet. Two planes collide + burn on the Hill.

• Monday September 23rd, 1918: 

  • Getting time to move again. Work hurried up so we will be ready.

• Tuesday September 24th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

• Wednesday September 25th, 1918:

  • First reveille + exercises since leaving Thesee

• Thursday September 26th, 1918:

  • Old bunch from Army Med. school arrive in camp.

• Friday September 27th, 1918:

  • Changed barracks. Much better quarters. Signed the payroll.

• Saturday September 28th, 1918:

  • Inspection. First mess by ourselves. Have my doubts as to the outcome.

• Sunday September 29th, 1918:

  • Left for Souilly at 6-15 A.M. for re-assignment, missed train wait till 5-43 p.m. At Neufchateau. Had a great feed at Red Cross Hut.  Free

• Monday September 30th, 1918: Souilly, France

  • Some Trip. Arrived at Souilly 12-30 p.m.

October 1918

• Tuesday October 1st, 1918:

  • Bringing wounded in off the front. Some bunch.

• Wednesday October 2nd, 1918:

  • Loafed all day. Called out at 10 p.m.

• Thursday October 3rd, 1918: 

  • Arrived at E.H. No. 9 at Taubecaut 11-30 p.m. Worst dump yet.

• Friday October 4th, 1918:

  • Shaged stretchers all night. Continue 4 all night tonight.

• Saturday. October 5th, 1918:

  • Another drive started. Patients coming in fast.

• Sunday October 6th, 1918:

  • Doing x-Ray worked at last. Nothing doing. Helped load an ambulance train.

• Monday October 7th, 1918: 

  • In Danbeciut. In first time all shot up by the Huns. Not win a "Y" at this H.

• Tuesday October 8th, 1918: Sorilly, France

  • Took a trip to Sorilly by truck.

• Wednesday October 9th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing in the pay line. All the towns have been knocked to pieces by shells.

• Thursday October 10th, 1918:

  • Still working nights. Fair. Busy as hell

• Friday October 11th, 1918:

  • Still so. Rain

• Saturday October 12th, 1918:

  • Busy as usual. Rain. Nothing doing.

• Sunday October 13th, 1918:

  • Drive still continues in the Aigonne.

• Monday October 14th, 1918:

  • Busy night + day. Rain.

• Tuesday October 15th, 1918:

  • Paid today. 371 francs. Rain.

• Wednesday October 16th, 1918: Vaubrecourt

  • In to Vaubrecourt. Rain

• Monday October 21st, 1918:

  • Y.M. Opened up. Bought cigarettes + some jam.

• Tuesday October 22nd, 1918: Verdun, France

  • Up to Verdun, five shells landed while there. Some place. Vaubecourt

• Wednesday October 23rd, 1918:

  • Air raid last night. Knocked the windows out of X-Ray Room. Getting close.

• Thursday October 24th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing

  • 
    

At the end of the month, Ervin referenced some postcards labeled views of Brest from the Thompson Illustragraph Co. Petersburg, VA.

#7127 Camp View

7175 Camp Port Brest

7132 Napolens Barraks

7172 Brest Harbor

He also had another address:  Roy C. Parker, Dallas Texas. 1915-1917 Commerse St. c/o Dallas Oakland Sales Co.

November 2018

• Sunday November 3rd, 1918: 

  • In Verdun again. Still shooting the place up.

• Thursday November 7th, 1918:

  • Peace rumors start. Envoys from Germany over to Foc H.

• Friday November 8th, 1918:

  • Given till Monday noon to sign terms.

• Sunday November 10th, 1918:

  • German plane flies over camp with lights on.

• Monday November 11th, 1918:

  • Armistice signed with Germany. Hostilities cease at 11-a.m.

• Tuesday November 12th, 1918:

  • Cold + clear

• Wednesday November 13th, 1918:

  • Great Weather, finish since Sept. Moved X-Ray Room to operating room. Shipped one machine to the 42nd Div. Germany.

• Thursday November 14th, 1918:

  • Fixed up new room everything going fine. One patient today.

• Friday November 15th, 1918:

  • Put up stove. Best room in the operating Building.

• Saturday November 16th, 1918:

  • Commissary opened bought up chocolate + candy + cigarettes

• Sunday November 17th, 1918:

  • Nothing unusual.

• Monday November 18th, 1918:

  • Put in another stock of candy.

• Tuesday November 19th, 1918:

  • Wash day.

• Wednesday November 20th, 1918: Verdum, France

  • On pass to Verdum had a great time.

• Thursday November 21st, 1918: Triacourt, France and Bar le Duc, France

  • Went to Triacourt + Bar le Duc on the truck.

• Friday November 22nd, 1918:

  • New boarder comes to the tent making 4.

• Saturday November 23rd, 1918:

  • Bill went to Verdun. Some walk. Caught train at Beausel.

• Sunday November 24th, 1918:

  • Fathers Day wrote home nothing unusual happening

Had a few more names listed at the end of the month.

Bradly L. Thompson

24 Terry Ave. W. Detroit

Lew Townley

Ann Arbour Mich.

December 2019

• Sunday December 1st, 1918:

  • On pass to Verdun again. Some time coming back on engine.

• Tuesday December 3rd, 1918:

  • Received orders to go to Bazorilles

• Wednesday December 4th, 1918:

  • Leaft Evac. H. no. 9 at 8-30 on truck for Bar-le-Duc. Took train for Toul a 1 A.M.

• Thursday December 5th, 1918:

  • Arrived at Neufchateau stopped all night at the "Y" slept on chairs. No blankets.

• Friday December 6th, 1918:

  • Met Lawrence Russelll in town Parade of Algerian march under Arch De Triumph

• Saturday December 7th, 1918:

  • Went down to Bazoilles for a stay

• Sunday December 8th, 1918:

  • Feeding with Base #60.  Good eats and a swell place to sleep. Matress, pillow + sheets. Some class for any life.

• Thursday December 12th, 1918:

  • Looking at the fine officers Nothing else to do.

• Friday December 13th, 1918:

  • Tried to corner the candy market but did not have quite enough francs

• Saturday December 14th, 1918:

  • Made another raid on the chocolate line.

• Sunday December 15th, 1918:

  • Received orders to go to Paris. Leaft Neufchateau at 4-44 p.m.

• Monday December 16th, 1918:

  • Traveled all night by way of Bar-le-Duc + Chateau Theiuz. Got in Paris at 8-30 a.m.

• Tuesday December 17th, 1918:

  • Saw P.Wilson + wondered around all day. Met Wood at the "y" got directions from him so will leave for the shop to-day. Outside Maillott Gate.

• Wednesday December 18th, 1918: 

  • Nothing doing all day. Reported at Repair shop. Went down to Palais de Glace to see some boxing

  • Good bouts.

• Friday December 20th, 1918:

  • Nothing doing as usual. Came near signing the Pay roll but missed out.

• Saturday December 21st, 1918:

  • Down to Palais De Glaci Took a trip around city.

• Sunday December 22nd, 1918:

  • Stayed home all day  Rainy as usual. Saw P. Wilson at Neuilfy Hospital

• Monday December 23rd, 1918:

  • Took in boxing at the Palais de Glaci in the evening. Fine boute 

• Tuesday December 24th, 1918:

  • Half day holiday Rainy as the deuce. Stayed in. In charge of quarters in the evening.

  • Bed Check: 

    • Edwards

    • Pvt. Colton

    • Pvt. Dovast

    • Pvt. Millar

    • Sgt. Ryuson

    • Sgt. Turns

    • Pvt. Johnson

    • Pvt. Harris

    • Pvt. McSweeney

    • Pvt. McDermot

• Wednesday December 25th, 1918:

  • Had dinner at the hospital. Supper at "Gare St. Lazare".

• Thursday December 26th, 1918:

  • Had half day off went down to Boul Des Italiens to Art Galerie. Some place.

• Friday December 27th, 1918:

  • Rainy as the duece half holiday stayed in quarters.

• Saturday December 28th, 1918:

  • Down to the Invalids and Napoleans tomb. To Champs Elysies Theartre in evening.

• Sunday December 29th, 1918:

  • Cummings phophesies that we'll be home in six weeks. S-O-M-E ------

January 1919

• Friday January 10, 1919:

February 1919

• Friday February 7th, 1919:

  • Going home in two weeks Cummings

  • Some more Hot Dope.

March 1919

• Friday March 7th, 1919:

  • Hanker 13, Shirt 2, Draw. 2, Towel 1, Union suit 1, stock. 6, wool 2, 1 Outside shirt

April 1919

• Tuesday April 8th, 1919:

  • Leaft Paris April 8th to convoy car to Mais-Sur-Arilleir, Arrived in Bueil----- stopped 1st night at la Croix St. Leufroy. Some place

• Thursday April 10th, 1919:

  • Leaft St. Leufroy at 2-April 10 for Chatres, then Oleans + Nevers

• Sunday April 13th, 1919:

  • Arrived at Mais April 13, stopped all night + Sunday 

• Monday April 14th, 1919:

  • Caught 11 o'clock train for Paris

There a a number of photos that I don't know exactly when they were taken, but suspect that it was in the first half of 1919 so I will include some here.

May 1919

There are a lot of photos that don't have dates, so I am placing them where I think the fit.  There are no entries for May 1919.

Here are some photos from trip to Rheims, France that he took at some point in the Spring of 1919.

June 1919

• Tuesday June 3rd, 1919:

  • Leaft Paris June 3rd at 2-10 arrived at Lyons 11-30 p.m. stayed all night room 22 f.

• Wednesday June 4th, 1919:

  • Caught train at 7-10 for Aiz les Bains. Arriving at 11 a.m. Leaft Aix at 2 p.m. for Chamberry + Les Eschelles had a blow out on the way. Wonderful scenery all taking the "route des alps." Engine running poorly.  Got to Lyons at 6 o'clock. stayed all night.\

• Thursday June 5th, 1919:

  • Started at nine taking till eleven to find our way out.  Stopped for Dinner at Roanne supper at Moulins. Engine stopped for want of gas 35 kilos from Nevers.  Stayed in the ditch that night.

• Friday June 6th, 1919:

  • Took out the gas line and changed it along with the carbuetor everything in running order at 7 a.m. arrived at Nevers at 11 got an extra tire, fixed a leak in the gas line and had dinner.  Everything going good till we had a blow out just north of Cosni fixed it in record time.  Another blow out overtakes us.  Taking two hours and a half to fix it.  Arrived in Fortainbleau at 11 p.m. 59 kilos ran Paris made the distance in 2 1/2 hours going some with no lights. trip over 700 kilometer

Paris Photos

July 1919

• Saturday July 12th, 1919:

  • Received orders to go to Brest + and then home.  Leave tomorrow at 8 p.m. from Gare Montparnasse Arrived in Brest at 12-30 p.m. Monday.  Took a truck out to Portanenzen Camp Some different from last year,   Double deck bunks again with chicken wire.

• Tuesday July 15th, 1919: 

  • Moved out to another camp

  • Got classified and Inspected.  put in Casual Co. 27.  Moved to another camp same day same old stuff.  A casuals life is hell.

• Thursday July 17th, 1919: 

  • had inspection + bath got orders to move down to the docks in the morning. Orders changed Only 30 men to go Thank God.  I’m one of the lucky ones.

• Friday July 18th, 1919:

  • 6 a.m. all packed ready to move out at 7 a.m. Brest Casual Co: #2791 18th Hiked down to dock at 7 O’clock waited around till 3 in the afternoon.  The rest of the bunch comes down in trucks and go aboard the same boat with us.  Holland Line ships “Zeelandia”.  Takes 12 or 13 days to make the trip. oh-la-la!! 

• Sunday July 20th, 1919:

  • Fair Weather still continues.  everything going fine.  Struck first detail today.  Passed three ships.

• Monday July 21st, 1919:

  • Foggy in the a.m. Cleared up fine.  Passed one sail boat.

• Tuesday July 22nd, 1919:

  • Getting a little rough. Seas came over forward deck all day and night. Got two or three shower baths and lost my dinner by being filled up with salt water. Passed a square rigged sailor with 21 sails set.  Some boat.

• Wednesday July 23rd, 1919: 

  • A few rollers left but cleared up fine.

• Thursday July 24th, 1919:

  • Rough all day with a little rain. just making headway most of the time.

• Friday July 25th, 1919:

  • Everybody lined up for shower bath same time no soap and salt water

• Saturday July 26th, 1919:

  • Clear + fine been in Gulf Stream for some time. Slept on deck and got caught in a shower. Never again.

• Sunday July 27th, 1919:

  • Clear as usual nothing doing. Saw small octopus in a.m.

  • USS Zeelandia 900 miles from N.Y.

• LAND WED. MORNING M-A-Y-B-E !!!

  • Will Teague Brenham Texas

• Monday July 28th, 1919:

  • Great weather sea is smooth as a looking glass. Passed three 2 stackers

• Tuesday July 29th, 1919:

  • 5 A.M. Thunder shower cleared up fine by seven.  Good boxing in the evening

• Wednesday July 30th, 1919:

  • A little cooler but clear.  Fine all day, no land in sight at 8 p.m.

• Thursday July 31st, 1919: NEW YORK, NY

  • Sighted land at 2-30 a.m.  Breakfast at 4 o'clock. Docked at 8 o'clock. Had a wonderful feed by the Red Cross. Milk, buns ice cream + pie. Took ferry up by Broklyn Bridge and had a great view of the waterfront of New York + Broklyn. Entrained for Camp Mills to get de-"cootied".

• Friday August 1st, 1919:

  • Fixing up service records

• Saturday August 2nd, 1919:

  • Final physical exam in a.m.

• Tuesday August 5th, 1919:

  • Leaft N.Y. for home 10 a.m.

List and Addresses

Ervin wrought peoples addresses and list of things throughout his diary.  I've compiled many of them here:

Addresses

R.G. Haberkorn

2917 Franklin Ave.

Seattle, Wash

Chas. Painter

Plano Texas

Box 371

Earl T Bailey

329. 14th St. N.E.

Wash DC

Horace T Keller

940 N 43rd St.

Plula, PA

Charles A. Bpham

3735 Ferdinand St.

Chicago, Ills.

Leo Hain

5514 Cedar Ave.

Phila.

E.R. Groff

3763 Main St.

Sittiz, Pa.

J.B. Taylor

Stoneville N.C.

C.L. Penoyer

1011 Vermont

Detroit Mich.

Oliver Mathis

Holdewills Okla.

Wm. J. Cummings

66 St. Andrew Road

E. Boston Mass.

Glenn Myers

965 Gramercy Pla.

Los Angeles Cal.

Ellis L. Delancy

Petersburg, Ind.

Samuel Porter

4430 Sumartown Ave.

Phila.

Harry Farkash

168 Lee Ave.

Bklyn. N.Y.

Bruchell Atkinson

Route #2

Charlottsville Va.

Joseph Sward

942 Henderson

Galesburg. Ills

Arthur B. Feeley

Registered at "Eloile Service Club". Paris

April 8, 1919

Guy G. Thoen

Hammond Wisconsin

Avid O. Johnson

521-7th St.

Rockford Ills.

Carl Nelson

Pelican Rapids

R. #6 Minn.

E.H. No. 31.

767 Nantes

E.H. 30

927

Rue D'Exchequer

Hotel Pavilion

Rue Faubourg

Montm artre

E.E. Putnam

School Roentgenology

Hospital Center

Amer. E.F.

A.P.O. 731

France

Reu M. Wright

Walnut Grove Mo.

Sydney Boardman

Gallup N.M.

Box 741

Lists

• Engine should show 110 volts and 12 amphers.

• Two or Three Week Trip

  • Canoes, Poles, + Paddles

  • 2 Bacon

  • 10 tea + salt + pepper

  • 10 Pork

  • 12 Bread

  • 1/8 lb flour

  • 5# sugar

  • 1 qt. Molassas

  • 4# cookies

  • 1/2# cr. tar.

  • 1# soda

  • 2 qt. Beans

  • 1 qt. Peas

  • 10 cans milk small

  • corn meal

  • Peaches

  • Pears

  • soap + Rowel + Razer

  • Matches, Bedding

  • Tent, axes. fishing tackle, Pails, Baker dishes, Rope, nails.

• List to Take Home Brest France July 15, 1919

  • 2 pair shoe lases

  • 1 Dublin

  • 1 comb

  • 1 Mirror

  • 1 gas mask

  • 1 pair shoes

  • 1 belt

  • 1 breeches wool

  • 1 cap

  • 1 coat wool

  • Ornaments

  • 4 pair socks

  • 2 drawers

  • 2 shirts

  • 2 O.D. shirts

  • 1 leggins

  • 1 slickers

• X-Ray Unite

  • Sept 15, '18 S.O. 254 Paragraph 23

  • 10 men 2 days reserve

  • From Thesis to Bazorlle France

    • Armstrong E.D.

    • Baborsky J.H.

    • Martell Theo.

    • Martin W.J.

    • Penoyer Cecil

    • Breese

    • Dittmar W.A.

    • Owen Harold

    • Putnam E.E.

    • Spencer W.O.

    • Whittkrepp D.

• April 22, 1918

  • 1 pr. shoes Russett

  • 1 pr. shoes field

  • 4 pr. stockings

  • 6 pr. underware

  • 2 Wollen shirts

  • 1 O.D. Blouse

  • 1 pr. O.D. Trousers

  • 1 Khaki blouse

  • 2 pr. Khaki trousers

  • 1 Hat

  • 1 Slicker

  • 1 Overcoat

  • 2 Ornaments

  • 1 Hat Cord

• Overseas outfit

  • 1/2 shelter tent

  • Blue Denims

  • Fatigue Cap

  • 3 pr. shoe + Leggins Lace

  • 1 pr. Leggins

  • 1 pr. Leather Gloves

  • 1 O.D. Blouse

  • 1 F.A. Packet. Canteen

  • 1 F.A. Belt + Axe Mess

  • 1 Haversack Kit

  • 1 F.A. Pouch