J. Wallace Williams First World War correspondence

Collection — Box: WWI 5, Folder: 14-16

Identifier: 2015-095-w-r

Staff Only

Content Description

This collection contains the correspondence from Lt. J. Wallace Williams, AEF, to his parents in Ottawa, Kansas, during the First World War. The collection also contains three newspaper clippings and three photographs.

Lt. Williams was a pilot during his service, but being an officer it seems he saw little action. He served in France but describes spending most of his time in chateaus with the local people. In a few of his letters he mentions serving with African American soldiers, whom he refers to as "coloreds" or "negros," although he doesn't have anything negative to say.

Letter dated July 28, 1918: "The war may be over in a short while. Pershing says, 'Hell, Heaven, or Broadway by Thanksgiving."

Letters dated in November 1918 indicate the war is coming to an end and their excitement over that news. Williams eventually returned home in March 1919.

Dates

Creation: 1917 November 24 - 1919 March 24

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions. For further copyright information, please contact the archivist.

Biographical / Historical

Colonel John Wallace Williams, American Expeditionary Forces (2/27/1897 - ) was born in Franklin County, Kansas and flew with the AEF during the First World War, arriving in France July 1918 and returning home March 1919. As a scout, he flew a 300 mile mission in two hours forty minutes over France and Germany, but spent most of his time joy riding a small plane called a Newport and enjoying the chateaus at which he stayed with a French officer's family. After the war, he married Leona B. Curry on September 8, 1928 and had two children, Dimma and John, Jr. He later became a flight instructor for the military as a Colonel and even swore in his own son to begin flight training.

Extent

0.1 Linear Feet (3 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains the correspondence from Lt. J. Wallace Williams, AEF, to his parents during the First World War. The collection also contains three newspaper clippings and three photographs.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Elmira Reavis. Legacy collection from Andrew Carroll. This collection does not have a donation form.

Subjects

Topical

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Finding Aid for the J. Wallace Williams First World War correspondence
Status: Completed
Author: Lauren Menges
Date: 12/8/2016
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Latin
Language of description note: English