Memories of The Great War
AKA WWI
Recently while at an auction
in Southeast Ohio USA, I bid on a box of old books. After getting
home to look over my "treasures" I found an old diary penned by one James
Brafford who had served in WWI as a US solder. The diary covers
his departure from
Camp Sherman
on March 4, 1918 through the
Armistice
on November 11 of the same year. While he was not diligent about
making daily entries I found the bits and pieces of life as a solder in
France to be fascinating. I was especially interested in songs or
poems that he had written down. Perhaps some he had heard or perhaps
some he had written himself. The book was rather frail and was missing
a page or two. I scanned it along with a number of WWI photographs
that were with it. Some of the photos seem to depict places he mentions
in his diary. The book itself and accompanying photographs have
been donated to the Ohio Historical
Society
for safe keeping & preservation To those interested I am making the
entire diary and set of photos available for viewing on line. Please
click on the links below.
It would be interesting to know what happened to Mr. Brafford and/or his family, if any. If anyone knows please let me know. The mysterious fact is that the diary & photos appeared to be with things having belonged to Howard Elliott. Mr. Elliott is mentioned in the diary as a "chum". Also in the diary was a receipt made out to Mr. Elliott dated 30 December 1925 so it would appear to have been in his possession many years. How did he come to have the diary ? Did Mr. Brafford become ill and/or die & it was sent to him? Or did he fall on hard times and have him hold it for safe keeping? Perhaps Mr. Elliott borrowed it and it never got returned. Was it Pinched? Who knows.....
It would be interesting to know what happened to Mr. Brafford and/or his family, if any. If anyone knows please let me know. The mysterious fact is that the diary & photos appeared to be with things having belonged to Howard Elliott. Mr. Elliott is mentioned in the diary as a "chum". Also in the diary was a receipt made out to Mr. Elliott dated 30 December 1925 so it would appear to have been in his possession many years. How did he come to have the diary ? Did Mr. Brafford become ill and/or die & it was sent to him? Or did he fall on hard times and have him hold it for safe keeping? Perhaps Mr. Elliott borrowed it and it never got returned. Was it Pinched? Who knows.....
Disclaimers
Please note that these items are posted for study
and review purposes for all interested persons. Any quotes or references
must be properly credited to the author. I have posted the
entire diary as it appears with no modifications. Some passages
may contain references to certain cultures and peoples that may be considered
by some to be less than favorable or offensive. Please understand that
these were written during the stress of war. They do not necessarily
reflect my views. They are simply posted for historic interest and
not as a vehicle to offend anyone. I have
no idea where the pictures are from. They appeared at one time to be
part of a publication or album but unfortunately no credits could be found.
If anyone can shed more light on the diary or
photographs please e-mail me. If you have a non-commercial
WWI page you wish to have linked here or find dead or non- working
links please let me know & I will do the best I can to change or correct
it . This site created by Paul Wallace. Email me
at:
ohglass@yahoo.com
