100 Years ago this week: we should have much better eats now

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. In November he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is based  inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  Many of the soldiers around him have come down with the Spanish flu.  Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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Sunday September 1, 1918– The medics left our mess today for their own new mess hall.  We should have much better eats now. Pumpkin pie for dinner today.

Monday September 2– “Labor Day” all are laboring too.  Some nice mail today is the most interesting thing to write about.

Tuesday September 3– Were issued tobacco for Sept. at 12:30 this morn but was all gone at 1:00 Great sport playing poker with Bull Durham.  

Wednesday September 4– Joe sells tickets on the world series.  Eighteen of us out of twenty drew blanks but Joe says it was perfectly on the square.  

Thursday September 5– The tennis courts are being used very extensively.  The courts are good. The Y.M. C.A. have furnished the equipment and we enjoy it.  

Friday September 6– We have remodeled the tent fixing up the floor sides and frame.  Will have a much more comfortable place this winter.

Saturday September 7– Payday and Mail day.  Two of the letters were from Marion.  The very best yet.


Mess Hall

Sunday September 1, 1918– The medics left our mess today for their own new mess hall.

Mess hall 1st Co., Mees

Labor Day

Monday September 2– “Labor Day” all are laboring too.  Some nice mail today is the most interesting thing to write about.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City.  So it was a pretty well established holiday by the time Poppa celebrated it in France in 1918.

Tobacco Rations

Tuesday September 3– Were issued tobacco for Sept. at 12:30 this morn but was all gone at 1:00 Great sport playing poker with Bull Durham.  

Prior to World War I pipe smoking was more popular among American men than cigarettes and any type of smoking was considered “unlady like”.  When the United States entered the war in 1917 tobacco companies saw an opportunity and marketed cigarettes to the soldiers as an escape and morale booster.  Cigarettes became so popular that they were used as a form of currency among soldiers.

Back home in America as women began filling jobs that became available as men joined the military they also began to take up smoking.  Campaigns were initiated to provide tobacco to the troops over seas.  The American Tobacco company of Durham started a program that allowed any American citizen or organization to provide a soldier with a gift box of 2 packages of Lucky Strike cigarettes, 3 packages of Bull Durham tobacco, 3 books of Bull Durham cigarette papers, 1 tin Tuxedo tobacco, and 4 books of Tuxedo brand cigarette papers for less than retail price.  When it was determined that not enough tobacco was getting to the troops through these contributions the American tobacco company took their products off the market and contracted directly with the U.S. government to provide tobacco to our soldiers.

For soldiers, tobacco was seen not only as an item of comfort but also as a battlefield necessity.  Contemporary studies supposedly demonstrated that soldiers could go an additional two hours between meals if they smoked, the tobacco serving as an appetite suppressant.

Poppa did not specify whether his tobacco ‘issue’ came directly from the army or if was a provided by private parties.

The World Series of 1918

Wednesday September 4– Joe sells tickets on the world series.  Eighteen of us out of twenty drew blanks but Joe says it was perfectly on the square.  

In 1918 The world series was played between September 5th and 11th.  The Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs in 6 games.

The World War I “Work or Fight” order forced the premature end of the regular season on September 1, and 1918 is the only World Series to be played entirely in September.

The rushed timing of things was due to the obligation of players drafted into the military to leave their teams and go to war.

According to Wikipedia the 1918 World Series marked the first time “The Star Spangled Banner” was performed at a major leaguegame. During the seventh-inning stretch of Game 1, the band began playing the song because the country was involved in World War I. The song would be named the national anthem of the United States in 193

.The winning pitcher of Game 1 was Babe Ruth, who pitched a shutout.

Babe Ruth

 

Next Week:  I Have Asked for a New Job

100 years ago this week: Joe saves a kid from drowning

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. In November he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A which is based  inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  Many of the soldiers around him have come down with the Spanish flu.  Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.


From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday August 25, 1918– Had talk with Chaplin this morning.  Baseball game in the afternoon. Game of tennis this evening.  Has been a very good day.

Monday August 26– “Blue Monday”.  A dark rainy day.  Everyone’s spirits about as bright as the day is.

Tuesday August 27– Joe is taken to the hospital today for two days treatment.

Wednesday August 28– Today while lying in bed in hospital Joe sees  a kid drowning in river.  He jumped through side of tent over to and into the river saving the kid from drowning.  We made a “ Croix de guerre” out of piece of old copper and presented it to him in a “mock” formation. At 9:00 P.M.

Thursday August 29- (No entry)

Friday August 30– Canadians have invited us to a picture show at their camp tonight to see some American pictures.  

Saturday August 31The allied armies are racing for the Rhine Each one driving at germans ahead of it.   


A Child is saved from drowning

On Tuesday August 27th Poppa noted that a soldier friend named Joe was taken to the hospital for two days of treatment.  He doesn’t say what he is bring treated for but many soldiers on both sides of the conflict have been sickened by the Spanish flu.  Possibly that is Joe’s situation.

The next day Poppa wrote in his journal that Joe saved a child from drowning in the river. “ He jumped through side of tent over to and into the river saving the kid from drowning.”

“We made a “ Croix de guerre” out of piece of old copper and presented it to him in a “mock” formation. At 9:00 P.M.”

“Croix de guerre” is a French medal of honor presented to soldiers who distinguish themselves in battle.  

The french medal of honor known as the Croix de Guerre

Here is an article about the event from the battalion newspaper.

Here is an article about the event from the battalion newspaper.

This article mentions that Joe was presented with the D.S.O.  The only military abbreviation  I could find for DSO is  “Distinguished  Service Order”  However, this is a British military honor awarded to British soldiers who distinguish themselves in battle so it may not be what is referred to in the article.

The article quotes ‘Messergent Bandage‘.  I believe they might be referring to another of Poppa’s soldier colleagues M.R. Brundage .

I don’t have a picture of Joe Neiswanger.  However, In the address section of his 1918 journal Poppa has this entry: Joe Neiswanger, Brookville PA.  The April 5th, 1950 edition of the Tyrone (PA) Daily Herald newspaper states that Joseph Neiswanger, of Brookville, was a ‘veteran leader’ and past commander of the American Legion post.

Here is a picture of a grave marker for a Joseph Neiswanger who died in Brookville, PA in 1962.  He was born the same year as Poppa.  Do you think it is the same person?

Next Week:  We should have much better eats now!

Sources:

Boquet, Michel, email July 16, 2018

“Croix De Guerre.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Aug. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croix_de_Guerre. Accessed 24 Aug. 2018.

100 Years Ago This Week: Camp Tuscania

100 Years Ago This Week: Camp Tuscania

Background:  In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, joined the United States Army.  He was assigned to the 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers. In November he sailed to St. Nazaire, France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is now based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  The company has been recently struck by the sudden death of their commanding officer Major Edward E. Hartwick, of meningitis  On March 31st, 1918.


From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday April 14, 1918 – The name of their camp being “Camp Tuscania” they have a very interesting story to tell of their trip on the ill fated ship.

Monday April 15– The river is rising rapidly due to so much rain.  The ground around the arena is all under water. Pay day today.  Have been broke for some time.

Tuesday April 16– Joe Laid off today coming in slightly worse for wear in the evening.

Wednesday April 17– We are now putting in 10 hours per day work.  7:20 to 6:00. I am sure getting tired of this daily grind.

Thursday April 18– A fine little supper party at ‘Cheval Blanc’ this evening.  Gil, Tom, Brundage and myself. A good feed sure is appreciated.

Friday April 19– Wed night we had some more Y.M.C.A. entertainers at Co. C.  Four young ladies one American gave some real music.

Saturday April 20– Usual Saturday work until 3 P.M.  Clean up for inspection then take a bath.  Went to picture show this evening at casino.


Camp Tuscania

Saturday April 13– Today I went with Joe to help move in the 6th Bn.  They are about 20 Km from us. 

Sunday April 14, 1918 – The name of their camp being “Camp Tuscania” they have a very interesting story to tell of their trip on the ill fated ship. 

Here Poppa is referring to the 6th Battalion of the 20th Engineers who experienced disaster on their trip from America to France.

On January 23, 1918, the 6th Bn. 20th Engrs. were among about 2,300 soldiers to  board the troopship “Tuscania” in New York harbor.  On February 5th the Tuscania, traveling as part of a British convoy was torpedoed and sank off the coast of Ireland by the German submarine U-77.  About 200 men were lost.  Two months later, on April 13, 1918 Poppa and  another soldier, Joe,  traveled to the 6th battalion’s  new camp to help the survivors move in.  

The camp of Company D of the 6th Battalion of the 20th Engineers.

In 1920 a monument to those lost on the Tucania was built on the Irish coast.

The monument to those lost in the torpedoing of the Tuscania.
A view of the Irish coast where the monument to those lost on the Tuscania was built.

I wrote about the sinking of the Tuscania previously here.

High Water

Monday April 15– The river is rising rapidly due to so much rain.  The ground around the arena is all under water. 

Apparently, 1918 was not the only year that flooding was an issue in Dax.

This picture shows flood conditions in Dax France in 2014, 96 years after Poppa wrote about high water near his camp in Dax.

Supper Party

Thursday April 18– A fine little supper party at ‘Cheval Blanc’ this evening.  Gil, Tom, Brundage and myself. A good feed sure is appreciated.

The Cheval Blanc (White Horse) Restaurant in Dax, France Circa 1920?

Y.M.C.A. entertainers

Friday April 19– Wed night we had some more Y.M.C.A. entertainers at Co. C.  Four young ladies one American gave some real music.

YMCA Hut and Office building 3rd Co., Candale where Poppa was entertained on the Evening of April 17th, 1918.

As I wrote previously, the YMCA took on the role of looking after the soldiers in the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) during WWI.  The USO did not yet exist.  They provided wholesome entertainment and tried to keep up the soldiers’ morale.

Next Week: Seven Months a Soldier

Sources:

Vents, Une Picorreuse à Tous. “Articles à Propos De 1914-1918 Sur La Biblogotheque.” 1914-1918 – Page 4 – La Biblogotheque. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2018.

Steamship Tuscania Is Torpedoed and Sinks.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.

“SS Tuscania (1914).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Jan. 2018. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.

100 Years ago This Week: A German Sub Sinks the Tuscania

Background: In September of 1917 My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, joined the United States Army.  He was assigned to the 20th Engineers whose primary purpose was to mill lumber and build the wooden structures needed by the soldiers.  In November he sailed to St. Nazaire, France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is now assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday Feb 3, 1918 – A rainy Sunday.  One letter from Clancy today.  Neiswanger returns from 2 weeks trip after trucks. Wild Ladies of Paris tonight.

Monday Feb 4 – Made a small plain table survey ad map for siding at Mees.  John and Tom both sick today.  Oh Remorse.

Tuesday Feb 5 – Rest today- Some mail including papers from home and a few letters from same place.  Package from george and Ollie Scott (?).

Wednesday Feb 6 – Took cross sections at Mees siding today.  Weather continues warm, similar to weather I am used to having in June.

Thursday Feb 7 – A day of mail – fourteen letters from U.S.A.  Most of them rather old dating as far back as Dec. 10.  One from Marion dated Jan 9th was the latest.

Friday Feb 8 The U.S. transport Tuscania was sunk Feb 5.  First news to reach us today.  We will get them later.  Drawing maps and making blue prints today.

Saturday Feb 9 – Staking out telephone line.  Papers from Marion, two packages from home and one from Ora today.  Payday every 1 has been busted for some time.


Sunday February 3, 1918– “Wild Ladies of Paris tonight”.  Author’s note:  Sometimes it is difficult to decipher Poppa’s writing so this entry is subject to interpretation.  If you want to form your own opinion check out a copy of the entry on this page.  Vaudeville shows were popular in the early 20th century so I think that is what he is referring to.  Especially since the next day he wrote  “John and Tom both sick today.  Oh Remorse.”  By “sick” did he mean hungover?

A French postcard humorously depicting the relationship between French women and soldiers during WWI.

Also on February 3rd Poppa wrote:  “Neiswanger returns from 2 weeks trip after trucks”.  In the address section of his 1918 journal Poppa has this entry: Joe Neiswanger, Brookville PA.  The April 5th, 1950 edition of the Tyrone (PA) Daily Herald newspaper states that Joseph Neiswanger, of Brookville, was a ‘veteran leader’ and past commander of the American Legion post.  Here is a picture of a grave marker for a Joseph Neiswanger who died in Brookville, PA in 1962.  He was born the same year as Poppa.  Do you think it is the same person?

 

Wednesday February 6– “Took cross sections at Mees siding today.”  Mees is the location of one of the lumber mills operated by the 20th engineers.  Mees is about 4 miles from the headquarters in Dax where Poppa was serving.

Pictures from the Mees Mill

Friday Feb 8 – “The U.S. transport Tuscania was sunk Feb 5.  First news to reach us today.”

The SS Tuscania was built in 1914 as a luxury liner for the Cunard Line.  It was named for the city of Tuscania, Italy.  In 1916 she was refitted and to serve as a troop transport.

On February 5, 1918, the Tuscania, traveling as part of a British convoy and transporting over 2,000 American soldiers bound for Europe, was torpedoed and sinks off the coast of Ireland by the German submarine U-77.

The German submarine U-77, with its crew of 34 men under the command of Captian Wilhelm Meyer, spotted the Tuscania and its convoy on the evening of February 5, just eight miles off the Irish coast. After moving into position, Meyer fired two torpedoes at the Tuscania. The first torpedo missed, but the second torpedo scored a direct hit on the starboard side.

Captain Meyer and the crew of U Boat U-77

Of the 2,397 American servicemen on the Tuscania, the convoy was able to rescue 2,187, along with the majority of the ship’s British crew.  About 200 men died.

The sinking Tuscania

Next Week: John and Shorty Cannot Play Billiards

Sources:

Vents, Une Picorreuse à Tous. “Articles à Propos De 1914-1918 Sur La Biblogotheque.” 1914-1918 – Page 4 – La Biblogotheque. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2018.

Steamship Tuscania Is Torpedoed and Sinks.” History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.

“SS Tuscania (1914).” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Jan. 2018. Web. 28 Jan. 2018.