WW1 Daybook

In Twenty-First Century Minnesota, the term “doughboy” is probably more often associated with the Pillsbury mascot than the First World War. But during that conflict, the slang term “doughboy” in fact referred to army soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces. Leonard W. Melander wore the 1917 Model helmet while serving in the 351st Field Artillery Headquarters. Its design is simple: a shallow, olive drab bowl with a small, symmetrically flared brim. Its liner consists of black oilcloth sewn to a supporting band of leather, and the interior features a course felt pad and a leather strap.

 

Citation: Minnesota Historical Society Collection. 66.78

Still behind the Front, ambulance driver David Backus continues to enjoy himself and to report on the happenings within the Norton-Harjes ambulance division. On this particular day, Backus and others found time to play two full baseball games between their assignments. In his diary, Backus happily reports that he scored the winning run in the ninth inning of both games. Later that afternoon, the Norton-Harjes received word that multiple celebrities are to join the division as volunteer ambulance drivers. These new recruits include the leading actor from the 1915 play Fair and Warmer, two unnamed actors, and a “famous dancer” named Maurice. Backus likely refers not to the dancer, but rather to the French ballet composer Maurice Ravel, who is known to have volunteered as an ambulance driver during the First World War. Whatever the exact identities of these new celebrities, David Backus doubts their ability to perform in combat, noting slyly that it will be “fun to see how these chaps act under fire.”

 

Sunday June 24
Out nine - shaved - cleaned up. [...] played 2 - 9 inning games of ball. in both games we were tied with two down in the ninth & fortunately I was lucky each time and brought in the winning run. [...] There are eleven new men coming out here [...] & among them - Maurice - the famous dancer who has given 30 thousand francs & six cars to this Norton-harjes. Also - Vernon Castles brother-in-law, the leading man Hill from Fair&Warmer & two other actors. [...] Will be fun to see how these chaps act under fire. [...]

Citation: David H. Backus and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota. [123.D.10.6F]

The American Red Cross held a substantial presence overseas during the First World War, eventually establishing over fifty hospitals and sending nearly 20,000 nurses to active duty. Meanwhile, on the homefront the Red Cross mobilized an extensive network of 8.1 million volunteers, who solicited donations, provided entertainment to wounded veterans at military hospitals, and assisted in the production of garments and medical supplies. Today’s artifact, a 1¾-inch button which reads “Collector” and features a Red Cross symbol in the center, was likely worn by a Minnesotan Red Cross volunteer soliciting donations in their community. The button was worn approximately one hundred years ago today, during the week of June 18-25, 1917.
(Statistics from the American Red Cross website, “WWI and the American Red Cross,” http://www.redcross.org/about-us/history/red-cross-american-history/WWI. Statistics are likely reproduced from Henry P. Davison, The American Red Cross in the Great War. New York: Macmillan, 1919.)

 

Citation: Minnesota Historical Society Collection. 8581.67

After a particularly dangerous military engagement at Chemin des Dames the week prior, ambulance driver David Backus thankfully worked a few unexciting shifts. He used this time for two interrelated purposes: to chat with fellow soldiers and drivers, and to report on the larger state of the war. From his interactions with French soldiers, Backus learns that the French Army is waiting for approximately one million American soldiers to arrive, and similarly, the British Army is waiting for a half million. Backus anticipates that these new soldiers will greatly increase the morale of the French Army upon their arrival, scheduled in approximately one year’s time. Moreover, these new troops will enable the French army to launch a new offensive against the Germans. After reporting this crucial information on the state of the war, Backus transitions to less weighty anecdotes, describing how he ate an entire cup of fresh strawberries and discussed various delicious foods with Mr. Wilcox, presumably another ambulance driver.

 

Wednesday, June 20 17.
Went to the Hans above[?] and they will only leave by force at the point of the bayonet - the Belgian Coast - the war will be over & not until. The French Army is waiting for the American troops before starting a big offense, in other words, about one year from today, by next spring, when we have one million men over here. The French morale will be vastly improved by the effect of our troops being here. The English will have another half a million and we will be in shape to start a real Drive. What a gorgeous day. Several out on journeys. Had tea cakes & a cup full of real strawberries – delicious – in Wilcox’s room. [...]

Citiation: David H. Backus and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota. [123.D.10.6F]

Since so many women volunteered to sew clothing and blankets for soldiers, it is fitting that the American Red Cross would produce its own branded thimbles. Twelve of these thimbles, which were originally used in the Minneapolis Area during World War I, are housed in the MNHS 3D Collections. Each is made from aluminum and features a red band around its base, which reads “AMERICAN / RED CROSS / NEUTRALITY / HUMANITY.” Two Red Cross logos are also embossed on the red band.

 

Citation: Minnesota Historical Society Collection. 6430.6.1-12