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100 Years Ago This Week: I’m the most disappointed fellow in the A.E.F. today!

Background:  WWI  has been over for over 4 months and the soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force are being sent home from France.   My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, has moved with his buddies to a camp in Bordeaux.  He is anxiously awaiting his orders to head home.   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday March 23, 1919 –  The most disappointed fellow in the A.E.F. today.  Have not been able to get more information yet. Do not want commission or to stay over here.  Have hopes that it can be fixed up some way so that I may yet go back with the boys. Arm very sore from shot.  Nearly sick. Saw “Let’s Go” tonight.

Monday March 24 – Still hoping that something can be arranged so that I can go home with the bunch.  Not much to eat in this camp and we are quartered in different barracks all over camp. Gilcrest, who was left behind in the hospital with the flu caught up to us today.

Tuesday March 25– Nothing definite today, looks very doubtful that I can go with the 20th.  Rec’d a note from D.J. Robertson at Bassens with Q.M.C. Hope to see him tomorrow.

Wednesday March 26– Went to Bassens today for some canteen supplies and called on Dave Roberson.  When I returned found that I was detached from 20th and attached to Hdq of embarkation camp. Moved to other camp.  Found 70 others in the same fix that I am in. Good quarters here however. Hope the commission will come soon.

Thursday March 27– We are quarantined in a good barracks with floor here.  Have a good place to eat with nothing to do but wait. Went to other camp this P.M. Visited with the old bunch all afternoon and evening.  

Friday March 28 – Doing nothing- It’s very tiresome- wrote a few letters this A.M.  Spent P.M. in Bordeaux. Good supper at Y with real ice cream. We are allowed passes everyday when not on duty from 2 to 9 P.M.

Saturday March 29 – Moved this A.M. to a dirty, old, casual barracks.  Hope to move again soon as every other one is better than this place. Visited the old gang at other camp this P.M.  Stayed there for supper and until 8 P.M.

Stuck in Bordeaux

For the first leg of their trip home Company A of the 20th engineers have left their camp of over a year and traveled by train to Bordeaux.  They have been there over a week awaiting orders to go home.  But there is a complication.  Because he is a candidate for an officers commission Poppa had recently been told that he would have to remain in France.  Given the choice, he would gladly forget the commission and head for home.  But it’s not up to him.   On March 26th Poppa was detached from his unit and assigned to the headquarters unit of his new camp.  With little work to be done he spends his days with his old unit but sleeps in his new camp with “70 others in the same fix that I am in”.  It appears now that his buddies will soon be returning to America without him.  

Let’s Go

On March 23rd Poppa saw “Let’s Go” which was a short film from 1918 starring Harold Lloyd.

Harold Lloyd (1893-1971) appeared in dozens of films. He was 2 years younger than Poppa.

Bassens

On March 26th Poppa drove to Bassens, which is less than 10 miles north of Bordeaux, for supplies.  Like Bordeaux, Bassens is a port community.  While there he visited with Dave Robertson who I believe is a relative.  Poppa had an aunt whose family name was Robertson.

Two weeks after leaving their home camp in Dax Poppa and his unit are only 90 miles closer to home.

 

Next week: I hate to see the 20th boys go without me

 

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100 Years Ago This Week: My bag is packed!

Background:  WWI  has been over for 4 months and some soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force are being sent home from France.   My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’,  has been stationed with the United States Army’s 20th Engineers at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  He is anxiously awaiting his orders to head home.   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday March 9, 1919– Cleaned up this A.M. Wrote a letter in the P.M.  Went to “Pas bon” entertainment in the evening. This constituted my Sunday.

Monday March 10– More joy for everyone.  We are confined to our camp until departure.  The optimist would say “What a rare opportunity to observe the beauties of the park!”  The pessimist would rejoin “It’ll be Hell without our beer when the hot weather starts.  I want to shave now. My water is just now hot and four fellas are crowding my little tent.   If I had any sense I’d shave in the morning anyhow. Bon soir! By Ohlman

Tuesday March 11– Inspector general is here today looking over records, camps equipment, etc.  Some say we will leave here very soon. Fourth battalion has taken over nearly everything now.  Good minstrel show at the casino tonight. We were allowed to march over and back as real prisoners would.  

Wednesday March 12- Took physical examination yesterday and papers went in today.  For O.R.C. Took a long time for these forms to reach us.

Thursday March 13– Gil is in the hospital with the flu. Brundage there with a dislocated knee and Munday with a cold.  Am afraid not all will be able to go with us. Much rain these days but it is not cold.

Friday March 14 – Being confined to camp we now have two guards on at all times.  All take turns at four hours of guard duty. I was on today but read a story in the bright sunshine.  Rcd many letters today (14), ten of them were written in October, lost at the A.C.S.

Saturday March 15– Turning in all surplus equipment today.  Have my shoulder bag packed but little goes in the barracks bag.  All that is left to do is to roll my pack which can be done in 15 minutes.

In early January of 1919 Poppa left Engineers Training School before completing the course because he thought he was about to be sent home.  Two months later he is still biding his time in the 20th Engineers camp in Dax.  He is more than ready to return home.  By the end of this week he wrote that his bag was packed and he could leave with 15 minutes notice.  But the order to return home hasn’t arrived.

A “guest” journal writer

Poppa’s journal entry for Monday March 10th was different than any of his other entries.  The entry is longer than usual and almost sounds poetic.  And it is in a different handwriting.  Apparently his journal was borrowed by another soldier, possibly when Poppa left it unattended to shave?  At the end of the entry it says “By Ohlman”.

Poppa’s journal pages for March 8th-11th, 1919. Notice how the entry for March 10th appears to be in a different handwriting, with a different “voice”and ends with “By Ohlman”

The company roster shows that there was a soldier named Hilmer Oehlmann stationed with Poppa.  He was from Alameda, California.  According to the internet Hilmer Oehlmann went on to become  General Manager, Chairman of the Board, and President of Yosemite Park and Curry Company, Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley, CA.  He was married three times and had 3 children. When he died in 1983 his ashes were scattered by airplane overYosemite.  His son, Hilmer Oehlmann, Jr. was a law student at Stanford when he was killed in a car accident in 1951.  The Stanford Law School awards a prize in his name.

Hospitalized Soldiers

Poppa is also concerned that his friends who are currently hospitalized won’t be able to travel once orders to return home arrive.  He has mentioned Gil several times in previous journal entries but his last name is unknown to me.

M. R. Brundage from Sonora, CA is in the hospital with a bad knee

In 1912, Before joining the army and being sent to France Brundage was a forestry assistant working in California for the U.S. Department of agriculture.  Many of Poppa’s colleagues worked in the forestry and/or lumber business before and after they served in the 20th Engineers.

Bill Munday, hospitalized with a cold, is from Boston MA.

Next Week:  Leaving Dax!

Sources:

List of Workers in Subjects Pertaining to Agriculture and Home Economics in the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture and in the State Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations.” Google Books, books.google.com/books

Boquet, Michel- correspondance

 

 

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100 Years ago this Week: Made THE purchase!

Background:  WWI  has been over for almost 4 months and the soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force are being sent home from France.   My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’,  has been stationed with the United States Army’s 20th Engineers at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  He is anxiously awaiting his orders to head home.   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday  March 2, 1919– Had inspection of packs and equipment in park outside of arena today.  Reminds one of days when we were getting ready to come over. Hope to hear some definite date this week.

Monday March 3– Medical inspection at the companies today.  Drove all A.M. Band practice in the P.M. is every days routine.  Forgot to mention on Feb 28th Major Brookings left for Paris there to start for Finland to work for the Hurd (?)  commission.

Tuesday March 4– French holiday this.  Lieut. Ward leaves tomorrow to join the major for his work in Finland.  Captain Wilson transferred to one of the later battalions. Capt Elam C.O. of this district as he will not go home with us.  Tom Coleman has gone to Poland..

Wednesday March 5– Rec’d a letter from Marion today which made me very very happy.  My truck was sent to Arengosse today so now I am out of a job in the A.M.s .  Band concert at 2nd CO. tonight.

Thursday march 6– Started on 3 day leave today.  Went to Pau in the A.M. Saw the sights of Pau in the rain all P.M. Visited the Chateau of Henry IV which was very interesting.  Slept in nice warm room in good soft bed.

Friday March 7– Made the purchase this A.M. Hope it pleases you Marion and that when you accept it you will never have cause to regret it.  I shall do my best. Visited Lourdes this P.M. A beautiful spot in the mountains. My thoughts are also with you today my mother, your birthday.  May you have many more to come.

Saturday March 8– Spent the A.M. in Lourdes most of the time hunting for entrance to the old castle which we never found.  Went back to Pau in the P.M. Again it rained the remainder of the day so at 5 o’clock departed for Dax.  Found some nice mail waiting for me there.

Romance is in the air!

Poppa’s job changed again when the truck he had been using to make deliveries all over southern France was assigned to another unit.  The next day he went to Pau, which is a town in southern France, about 55 miles from Dax,  for a three day leave.  It seems like was romance was on his mind and he made a big decision about his future!

Wednesday March 5– “Rec’d a letter from Marion today which made me very very happy…”

Marion Clarkson Brown in 1916

Friday March 7– “Made the purchase this A.M. Hope it pleases you Marion and that when you accept it you will never have cause to regret it.”  

Poppa never mentions exactly what he purchased in France but the context suggests that it is an engagement ring.  Don’t you agree?

This is a picture of Marion Brown Jamieson’s ring resting on a rose petal.  We don’t know for sure that Poppa purchased this in Pau, France but a jeweler who recently appraised it said that it is made in the 1920’s style and that the diamond is of the “European cut”.

Pau is a city in The south of France near the Pyrenees Mountains.   Records indicate that Pau has existed at least as far back as the middle ages.  It has been a  resort center since at least the 1800’s and during WWI it was a very popular destination for American soldiers on leave.

A post card view of Pau, France in the early 20th century.

In 1909 the Wright brothers set up a pilot training school near Pau.  During the year that Poppa was stationed in Dax he saw ‘aeroplanes’ fly over and even land.  Is it possible that those planes were from the pilot training school in Pau?

This is said to be a picture of Wilbur Wright flying his airplane over Pau France in 1909.

Poppa wrote that while on leave he also visited the Chateau of Henry IV and Lourdes.  

Lourdes is a small town at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains in southwestern France and about 20 miles south of Pau.   According to Poppa it was a popular location to visit for soldiers on leave in 1919.

The castle and river in Lourdes

Soldiers assignments change

Walter DuBois Brookings was Poppa’s commander.  On February 27th, 1919  Poppa wrote that Brookings was leaving camp to work on the (illegible) commission.   Although Poppa initially said Brookings was going to Paris, this week he wrote that Brookings was headed to Finland.  That makes mores sense because  Brookings obituary says that after leaving France, “as a representative of Herbert Hoover he took the first shipload of relief food to the Baltic Region, landing in Libau Latvia” in March of 1919.  Ten years before he was president of the United States, Herbert Hoover led the commission for Relief in Belgium.  According the Wikipedia the commission’s purpose was to supply food to German occupied France and Belgium during WWI.

Eliza Duff Jamieson

On March 7th Poppa wrote “My thoughts are also with you today my mother , your birthday.  May you have many more to come.” 

March 7th, 1919 was the 55th birthday of Poppa’s mother, Eliza Duff Jamieson

 Next Week:  My bag is packed!

Sources:

Note:  In the first version of this week’s blog post I wrote that Poppa went to Paris to make THE purchase.  Thanks to Michel Boquet for pointing out that it was more likely Poppa made his purchase in Pau, France, as it is much closer to Dax.  I checked the journal entry more closely and clearly Poppa wrote ‘Pau’ not ‘Paris’.  This makes much more since since it is near Lourdes and the Chateau of Henry IV.

Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 25 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pau,_Pyr%C3%A9n%C3%A9es-Atlantiques. Accessed 4 Mar. 2019.

“Aviation History Wing/Aviation’s Attic/Charles Fint Remembers From the Memoirs of Charles Flint,  the American Tycoon Who Backed the Wright Brothers.” History of the Airplane, www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/Aviations_Attic/Charles_Flint/Charles_Flint.htm. Accessed 4 Mar. 2019.

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100 Year ago This Week: The show was a big success!

  Background:   WWI is over and the soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force are being sent home from France.   My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, has been in France with the 20th engineers for over a year.   He was assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  He is anxiously awaiting his orders to head home.   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday February 23, 1919– Spent day getting over it.  Practicing show, writing letters and sleeping.  

Monday February 24– Spent most of day getting show material in casino, rehearsing parts of show and getting ready.   Big rehearsal this evening. Looks as though show will go pretty well after all.

Tuesday February 25– Band practice in A.M. The show was a big success.  Everything went off very well. The (?) Engineers made the big hit. But everything was pulled off soberly, smoothly and successfully.  

Wednesday February 26– Made about 1150 francs clear on the show.  Tonight we had a big banquet at Hotel du Voycrgus (?).  Supper was good, wine very good. Everyone had enough to feel like a million dollars but none enough to make them drunk, troublesome or disagreeable.

Thursday February 27– At last some mail came today.   Two nice letters from Marion and others from home.  Worked all day and part of night on some maps for Major Brookings who is leaving here tomorrow for his new job in Paris.  With the H(?) Commission.

Friday February 28– Lt. Col Benedict ordered all work to stop today.  Hope it means home soon. Gen. Pershing in this part of country.  He may be here tomorrow. Today is my father’s birthday. Hope he enjoys the day and has many more birthdays to celebrate.  

Saturday March 1– Drove to Pontenx today after tires. Gen. Pershing inspected the troops from this district this afternoon.  Gave us a nice little talk and very brief inspection.

The Frolics

The Dax Casino circa 1919

WWI is over and there is not much for the soldiers to do.  For several days those in Poppa’s unit have been rehearsing for a show they planned to put on.  He was obviously looking forward to it.  It was held at  the Dax casino on the evening of February 25th.  Here are pictures of the 4 pages of the program:

The program cover indicates that the show was held at the Dax casino at 8:30 PM.  The French at the bottom identifies the printing company and their address.
It looks like each soldier played several roles in the show.  For example, Poppa’s  friend named Kraft apparently appeared as  ‘Eddie’ Kraft, ‘Nero’ Kraft, and the soprano ‘Katherine’ Kraft.  Bon Soir means good evening.

 

The back of the program shows that Poppa was the “Bass Drummer”.  The French statement under the heading band “Nous ne savon Pas”  translates to “We don’t know” (who is in the band).

I don’t know how talented the soldier/musicians were but Poppa had some musical experience as he played trombone in his high school band and was part of the Ripon College band in 1910.

Ripon College Band 1910-11. Poppa is far left middle row.

Poppa wrote that they made 1150 francs from the show.  In 1919 that was equivalent to $162 but is equal to the buying power of $2400 in 2019 dollars.  Apparently that helped fund the dinner and drinks the next night at the Hotel du Voycrgus (Not clear from his handwriting if this is correct spelling of hotel).

Major Brookings Leaves Dax

Walter DuBois Brookings was Poppa’s commander.  On February 27th Poppa wrote that he was leaving for Paris to work on the (illegible) commission.  Paris was where the commission was held that set the terms for the defeated powers.  It resulted in the Treaty of Versailles and the start of the League of Nations. Although Poppa said Brookings was going to Paris,  Brookings Obituary says that after leaving France, “as a representative of Herbert Hoover he took the first shipload of relief food to the Baltic Region, landing in Libau Latvia” in March of 1919.  Ten years before he was president, Herbert Hoover led the commission for Relief in Belgium.  According the Wikipedia the commission’s purpose was to supply food to German occupied France and Belgium during WWI.

February 28, 1919 – Birthday of Addison Jackson Jamieson

Addison Jackson Jamieson was Poppa’s father. February 28th, 1919 was his 61st birthday.  Addison died in 1943.

March 1, 1919 – General Pershing inspects troops

General Pershing

On March 1st Poppa wrote that General John J.  “Black Jack” Pershing inspected the troops.  Pershing was the general in charge of the American war effort in Europe.  This is at least the third time that Poppa had crossed paths with Pershing since he enlisted.  After victory in Europe Pershing returned to America a hero and some of his most ardent supporters encouraged him to run  as a candidate for president of the United States.  Pershing had little enthusiasm but agreed.  He was not nominated by either party.

Next Week: Made THE purchase in Paris!

Sources:

Thanks to Michel Boquet for finding the “Frolics Program”

 

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100 Years Ago This Week: What a glorious life.

Background:   WWI is over and the soldiers of the American Expeditionary Force are being sent home from France.   My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers and in November, 1917 he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He was assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  He is anxiously awaiting his orders to head home.   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday February 16, 1919– Wrote a few letters, cleaned up and am going out to Cafe St. Pierre for supper.  We are all getting fine treatment at that place now. Tough piece of luck this P.M. when I broke my pipe.  Can get it repaired soon in U.S.A.

Monday February 17 – Old Co  E of 2nd Bn now fifth company arrived today.  They have been up quite close to the front all the time since they left us at ST. Nazaire.  The band started practicing today. Our schedule is for every afternoon 1:30 to 4:30. I drive the bunch out from headquarters in my Dodge to 2nd CO Y.M.C.A.

Tuesday February 18 – Driving all A.M.  Band practice all P.M. and show practice in the evening.  What a glorious life.

Wednesday February 19– Had a nice ride to Arengosse this A.M. The band practices playing and marching this P.M.  I am a sick woman tonight don’t know what is the trouble. Haven’t had a drink and feel as drunk or seasick as I had a good one.

Thursday February 20– (No entry)

Friday February 21– Feel much better today still not good enough to go to band practice this P.M. Full rehearsal of show at casino tonight.  I’ll be there to pound the bass drum. Relieved from further work today. Left out the 20th

Saturday February 22– Drove Dodge on various trips to Cos most of the day.  Trucks are moving 1st co from Pontex back to their old camp.  Officers dance at the casino is the principal event of the day.  Jazz orchestra played for the dance. Much champaign put the orchestra in best of form.  The dance a great success and orchestra wonderful (!)

Units of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) continue to be moved around France in preparation for being sent home.  The soldiers of the fifth company had traveled to France on the same ship as Poppa but were stationed closer to the front.   On February 16th Poppa wrote that the Fifth CO.  has now rejoined him in Dax.

Poppa was sick for several days during the week of February 16, 1919.  He doesn’t report the cause of his illness.  However, in early 1919 the world was still experiencing what is thought to be the second biggest epidemic in world history:  the Spanish flu outbreak.  In the month of October, 1918 alone 195,000 Americans died from the disease.  Because of improvements in transportation and because of the mobility of soldiers the flu spread rapidly around the world.  Some experts say that more America soldiers were lost during WWI to the flu than to the fighting.

In previous journal entries Poppa wrote that some of his colleagues were hospitalized because of the flu but it doesn’t appear that Poppa’s illness was severe enough to require hospitalization.

Michel Boquet is a retired French engineer who is an expert on the history of forestry in France in WWI.   He has acquired the journal of a US army physician who was  treating soldiers in the area of Poppa’ camp.  Michel noticed the following entry:  “Saw Pvt (possibly Lt) Jamison from St avit for acute appendicitis”.

However,  this entry was labelled January 19, 1919, almost a month before Poppa’s illness.

On February 22nd Poppa wrote that “Officers dance at the casino is the principal event of the day.  Jazz orchestra played for the dance. Much champaign put the orchestra in best of form.  The dance a great success and orchestra wonderful (!)”

A WWI era picture of the casino in Dax, France. This was just a short distance from Poppa’s camp.

Poppa did not write whether his band was part of the entertainment but his enthusiastic description suggests that they might have been.  The same physician who treated private Jamison for appendicitis attended the officers’ dance and made this journal entry:

“Washington’s birthday. We engaged Casino and gave a party. Band music and invited all our friends. Enormous success. Nobody wanted to go home. Dancing and songs.”

Next Week: The show was a big success!

Sources:

Michel Boquet

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100 Years Ago This Week: I didn’t know I had so many French friends!

Background:   WWI has been over for 2 months.   It has been more than one year since my grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers.  In November, 1917 he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He was assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  On November 7, 1918 he traveled to Langres France and enrolled in Army Candidate School (A.C.S.).   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday January 12, 1919– Arrived in Lyon at 8:00 AM but R.T.O. & M.P. would not allow us to stay over one day.  Left for Bordeaux at 11:00 AM. Train’s crowded, no sleep last night. Pretty scenery around Lyons as train travels along Rhone River.  Record- Oct 10 letter reached me as I left engrs camp yesterday.  Note -we’re much surprised to get our certificates yesterday as we left school three weeks before close.  Could not go to Paris as it is closed to A.E.F. at present. Couldn’t make my purchase I had planned so much on making in either Paris or Lyon

Monday January 13– Rode all night on crowded train but had seat.  Arrived in Dax at 10:30. Heard that order just came to the effect (?) that 20th will stay over about three months on road repair work.  Everyone disappointed. I am glad to get back to the old bunch.

Tuesday January 14– Tom and I are living in a little tent by ourselves.  He arrived about a week in advance of me. I didn’t know I had so many French friends until I got back here.

Wednesday January 15– This is the day we were supposed to start for home. I am glad to be here however and  the time will be spent in a good camp at least.

January 16 17-18, 19– Heard the Hanger was reported missing.  Doing nothing but resting, writing, and reading.  Five officers in the Hospital —— (9).

On Saturday January 11th, while in engineers training school near Langres, France,  Poppa was ordered to re-join his unit in Dax.  By the end of the day he had left the training school in Langes and traveled to Dijon.  From there he took a train to Lyon, France.

Lyon was formed in ancient times at the spot where the Rhone and Saone rivers meet.  Lyon is the country’s third largest city and currently has a population of about half a million.

Saone River in Lyon, France

From his journal entry it appears that Poppa wanted to see the sights of Lyon “but R.T.O. & M.P. would not allow us to stay over one day.” R.T.O.  may refer refer to railway transport officer?  M.P. could stand for ‘Military Police’?   From Lyon trains took him to Bordeaux and then back to his unit based in Dax.

Poppa said that he could not make the purchase that he planned.  He couldn’t make the ‘purchase’ in Paris as he had hoped because that city was closed to Members of the American Expeditionary Forces (U.S. Soldiers).  Apparently, for at least a time after the end of the war soldiers were not allowed to go to Paris on leave.

He has not yet specified what he plans to purchase but I believe that he wants to buy an engagement ring for Marion Clarkson Brown.

In previous journal entries he had mentioned a fellow soldier named Hanger.  What does Poppa mean when he says that “Hanger was reported missing”?

Meanwhile, back in America

On January 16th,  1919 the 36th and final state approved prohibition making it possible to ratify the 18th amendment to the constitution.  That meant that prohibition would go into effect in one year (January 17th, 1920).  Local governments could choose to implement prohibition earlier.  Poppa had been in training camp in Washington D.C. on  November 1st, 1917 when prohibition was implemented there.

Next week: Back to Work

Sources:

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Lyon.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 6 July 2018, www.britannica.com/place/Lyon-France. Accessed 9 Jan. 2019.

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100 Years Ago This Week: Drilling in Rain and Mud

 Background:  It is mid-December of 1918 and WWI has been over for more than a month.   My grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we called ‘Poppa’, had enlisted in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers in 1917.  He sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship and was assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A based at a camp set up inside a bull ring in Dax, France.  However, on November 7, 1918 he traveled to Langres France and enrolled in Engineers Candidate School.   Here are the journal entries he wrote one hundred years ago this week.

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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday December 15, 1918– A beautiful day, spent all the time cleaning up, writing letters, and being entertained by the stews coming in just before taps.  

Monday December 16– Rain again today.  Drilling in rain and mud.

Tuesday December 17– Mining problem at Fort this a.m. Kraft gets letter from McKeen telling him that unit leaves Jan 1st.  Hope we can get back soon.

Wednesday December 18– Sent a wire today to Major Brooking to find out if 1st BN 20th was going home.  

Thursday December 19– Some of the old October mail that never came showed up today.  Glad to get it. Mining examination today. Not very bad.

Friday December 20– Started camouflage class today.  All afternoon on “Duck Pond” doing doughboy.

Saturday  December 21– Rainy day,  half day of camouflage, inspection and dismissed. Lots of mail. Christmas box came today.

Poppa had the misfortune to be accepted into engineers officers training just as the war was ending.  His soldier buddies back in Dax are preparing to return home but Poppa has no information about when he will be able to leave.   Although he finds some of the training interesting he would prefer go home as soon as possible rather than finish training and receive his commission.

When he wrote on December 15 that he was being “entertained by the stews coming in just before taps”  he likely is referring to the soldiers returning at the last minute after imbibing too much in town.  According to urban dictionary  someone who is “stewed” is under the influence of alcohol.

In the back of Poppa’s  journal there is a pass that authorizes him to leave camp on December 15th.  Although he doesn’t mention it maybe he was one of the “Stews” coming in right before taps.

 

On December 18th he sent a wire to “Major Brooking to find out if 1st BN 20th was going home“.  He is likely referring to Major Walter D. Brookings.  

Like many of the other officers in the 20th engineers Walter Brookings was involved in the lumber business before joining the army.  In 1899 Brooking’s family owned a logging business in San Bernardino County in the southern part of California.  They used clear cut methods which left the land bare and so, in 1912 when their timber supply dried up,  they moved to Oregon.  They started the Brookings lumber and Townsite Company which bought 30,000 acres of timber in Oregon.  They started the community of Brookings, Oregon to attract workers and built a railway.

Brookings Oregon was started by the Brookings family in 1908 and had a population of 6,300 in 2010.

According to a website maintained by Eldon Gossett the 30 something Walter Brookings was named vice president of the company.  Gossett wrote that Because of Walter’s temper and poor judgment his father put him in charge of the San Fransisco California office which was quite a distance from headquarters and, therefore, out of his hair.

Walter’s uncle was Robert Brookings, a very successful business man who, after retiring, went on to build up Washington University in St. Louis and start the Brookings Institution for Government Research in  Washington D.C.  He was highly regarded and served as a consultant to President WIlson.

This is a picture of Robert Brookings, the influential uncle of Major Walter D. Brookings

When Walter received a notice from the U.S. government in 1917 that he would be drafted into the army he contacted his uncle Robert Brookings and asked him to use his influence to keep him out of the army.  It is apparently a measure of what his uncle thought of him that he refused to intervene.  The army offered Walter a commission as a captain but Walter wanted to enter the army as major.  Again uncle Robert refused to intervene and Walter was inducted into the army as a captain.

Captain Walter Brookings sailed to France in November of 1917 on the same troop ship as Poppa and  was placed in charge of forestry operations in the Dax district in April of 1918.  He was promoted to Major on September 21, 1918.  He was discharged from the army on October 8, 1918.

Later in life Walter moved to Virginia where one of his hobbies was raising Germans Shepherd dogs for the “Seeing Eye” Organization.  He died in 1950 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Next Week: President Wilson Reviews the Troops on Christmas Day

Sources

“Quality. Independence. Impact.” Brookings.edu, The Brookings Institution, 7 Dec. 2018, www.brookings.edu/. Accessed 12 Dec. 2018.

“Robert S. Brookings.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Dec. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_S._Brookings. Accessed 12 Dec. 2018.

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100 Years ago This Week: Letters are the greatest means of encouragement these days.  

 Background:  It is October 1918 and more than one year since my grandfather, John Rodney Jamieson, who we later called ‘Poppa’, enlisted  in the United States Army’s 20th Engineers.  In November, 1917 he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is based at a camp set up 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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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday October 27, 1918 –We had a basketball game today with “C” company.  We won 16 to 10. Very stiff and tired tonight as I am not used to so much exercise.

Monday October 28– We were re-classified last week.  Am afraid it will do no good but maybe, possibly, perhaps something might happen. 

Tuesday October 29– British “Royal Blue Horse Guards Band” played here yesterday.  Good music but not enough “Pep” for outdoor military concert.

Wednesday October 30– Another nice bunch of mail today.  Letters are the one big event and greatest means of encouragement these days.  

Thursday October 31 – News came this P.M. (Unofficial) that Turkey quits.  Hope so. Entertainment by American girls at the new ‘Y’ tonight.  Guess we will all be there.

Friday November 1– Good news today.  Major B______ told me he would send in my name for me in answer to a telegram for two men for Engineers Army candidate school.

Saturday November 2– Expect to go to Pau with Captain Elam for weekend this P.M. returning Monday morning. 

Tuesday October 29– British “Royal Blue Horse Guards Band” played here yesterday.  Good music but not enough “Pep” for outdoor military concert.

The Royal Regiment of Horse Guards (The Blues) (RHG) was part of the British Army.  It was formed in 1650 and its coat of arms was blue.  The regiment served in many wars including WWI.

Thursday October 31 – Entertainment by American girls at the new ‘Y’ tonight Guess we will all be there.

Poster designed by N. McMein, 1918, “One of the Thousand Y.M.C.A. Girls in France.” 1986.3051.04. Recto. | After conservation treatment.

During WWI the YMCA was a different organization than we think of today.  According to The History of the YMCA in WWI the ‘Y’ provided 90% of the welfare services available to the military both at home and overseas.  The Red Cross and USO were not yet the organizations we think of today and when American needed to quickly build an army to fight overseas the YMCA also mobilized.  During the ‘Great War’ 35,000 YMCA volunteers worked to meet the welfare of our forces overseas.  Of the men and women working with the YMCA there were 286 casualties during the war.

Saturday November 2– Expect to go to Pau with Captain Elam for weekend this P.M. returning Monday morning.   

 Pau is a city in southwestern France, set along the Pyrenees mountains’ northern edge approximately 50 miles from the Spanish border.  Pau is about 55 miles from Dax where Poppa’s company is located.  Poppa didn’t say whether the trip to Pau would be for work or pleasure.

Meanwhile, on the front lines

The war was nearing its end.  The Germans and allies lack men and resources and the civilians were protesting the war.  The head of the German Navy decided to stage a major naval battle against the British.  However, on October 29, 1918 German sailors refused their orders to attack the British and began a revolt which began the German Revolution.  On October 30th Turkey signed an armistice with the Allies.

On the Home Front

During the last week of October, 1918  21,000 Americans died from the Spanish Flu epidemic.

 

Next Week:  Poppa Arrives at Army Candidate School

 

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100 Years ago this week: We … would rather go to the front and help make them surrender.

Background:  It has now been over one year since Poppa joined 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, 1917  he sailed to France aboard a troop transport ship.  He is assigned to the headquarters unit of Company A and is based at a camp set up 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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From the Journal of John Rodney Jamieson

Sunday October 6,  1918– Report came today that “Central Powers” have asked for armistice to discuss peace terms according to Pres. Wilson’s provisions.

Monday October 7– More peace news today.  We would all like to go home but would rather go to the front and help make them surrender.  Payday today.

Tuesday October 8– We now have a basketball court inside of the arena.  The ground is very smooth and hard making a good place.

Wednesday October 9– Today was mail day bringing me twelve letters.

Thursday October 10– Spend the day staking out the new warehouse in the station yard.  We need this building very much to handle our supplies.

Friday October 11– Joe applies for another transfer.  Marshalls “across the street girl” polished the door knob only six times today.

Saturday October 12– Have made a big map showing front.  My job is to move the pins each day as  advance keeps on going.

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Optimism about the War

On October 6th and 7th Poppa wrote that there was talk of peace.  He might be referring to the fact that on October 4th President Wilson received a request from the Germans asking for an armistice discussion based on his 14 points.  Apparently the Germans approached the American president instead of the British and French who they had been fighting since 1914 because they felt they would get more favorable treatment from Wilson.  The 14 points refer to a set of principles of peace that Woodrow Wilson outlined in a speech in January of 1918.

Is Poppa smiling in this picture because there is talk of peace?

Tuesday October 8

“We now have a basketball court inside of the arena.  The ground is very smooth and hard making a good place.”

When Poppa’s unit arrived in Dax France in late 1917 they were provided with a bullfighting arena to use as their headquarters.  Although Bullfighting is popular in Spain the Dax arena is the only one in France.  Apparently, because they are only 30 miles from the Spanish border Dax residents were influenced enough by the Spanish culture to build an arena.

A contemporary picture of the Dax Arena

 

Meanwhile, on the Front lines: Corporal Alvin York

Although Poppa would likely not know about it yet October 8, 1918 was the date of a legendary event.   During a battle on this date Alvin York was part of a group of American soldiers sent to attack a German machine gun position.  After his superiors were killed York was placed in command.  He continued to fight.  When it was over he had singlehandedly killed at least 25 German soldiers and captured 132 more.

Sergeant Alvin York

His heroics were depicted in the Oscar winning 1941 film “Sergeant York” starring Gary Cooper.

 

Next Week: Who am I working for?

Sources:

“The History Place – World War I Timeline – 1918 – A Fateful Ending.” The History Place – World War II in Europe Timeline, www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/firstworldwar/index-1918.html. Accessed 5 Oct. 2018.

“Sgt. Alvin York Kills 25 German Soldiers.” OnThisDay.com, On This Day, www.onthisday.com/photos/sgt-alvin-york-kills-25-german-soldiers. Accessed 6 Oct. 2018.

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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 31–The 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.”

A  “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.