1917-19 Handwritten WWI Soldiers Diary Corporal Soden Portland OR France England

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1917-19 Handwritten WWI Soldiers Diary Corporal Soden Portland OR France England:
$392.32

WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES:

Upfor sale today is a very full WWI handwritten diary kept byCorporal WillardRandolphSoden of Co. E. 162Infantry, A. E. F. (American Expeditionary Forces). Willardwas born on May 17th,1897 in Portland Oregonto the parents ofBartholomew Thomas and Cora May (Wells) Soden. There’sa good deal of family history on Ancestry concerning the Sodenfamily. His grandparents were all Irish and his father was born inTasmania. Some of his father’s siblings ended up in Hawaii in the1850’s. Further research would be very interesting. Willard joinedthe military in March of 1917.

Thediary contains 114 handwritten page and begins on March 26th1917 and ends on December 28th,1918. There are also 7 incredible small photos and all of them havehandwritten identification on the back. I’vescanned the photos and the backs.

Hisfirst entry has him in Portland Oregon and camped at the Lewis andClark Exposition Grounds. His entries on the first 2 pages are notdaily entries but just important events from March to December. Thenon page three, starting at the end of December (1917) we find him atCamp Mills in Long Island. This is when the entries become daily andweekly type entries.

Thereis really so much to this diary and his life overseas. There aredefinitely hardshipsright from the beginning. When he finally ends up at his camp inEurope (GeneralPershing’s Camp in Chaumont France),he says, “No mailfor a month, no bath for sixweeks and no pay fortwo and a half months. Great army life!”The food is also terrible in the beginning and everywhere he goes andstays is very cold.

Hetalks about naming one of the camps he’s in as “Camp Viral”because of all the diseases they have. Said at one point at least 25men a day were dying of the flu. Then he is chosen along with 15other men to be a guardfor the Kingand on another occasion (towards the end of the diary) he headsto London to be one of the Honor Guards for President Wilson. Reallyso much more than I can say here. Following are a few example quotesthat will give you a better idea of his entries and his life duringWWI…..

1917

“April7th,Marched to Lewisand Clark Exposition grounds. Pitched tents and prepared to relieve A& B companies from guard duty at Steel Bridge, North West Steeland Brooklyn Railway yards.”

“August1st,Arrived at CampWitycomb, Clackamus Oregon from Forestry Building Regimentassembling.”

“September19th,Arrived at Camp Greene N. Carolina after crossing continent from campFremont. Journey consumed eight days. Crossed the states of Calif,Arizona, N. Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia,South Carolina, N. Carolina and a corner of Florida. We drilled 8hrs. a day at Camp Greene.”(On to Camp Mills on the 29thof October where he was issued an entirely new regiment.)

“December11th,Left Camp Mills at 6:30 A.M. Arrived in N. Y. and boarded the AnchorLine Steamship, “Tuscania” at the 14thStreet Dock. The 2ndand 3rdBattalions remained at Camp Mills. At 2:30 P.M. we cleared andcommenced sailing to sea. Passed the “Statue of Liberty” andgradually left sight of land.”(I’m assuming his photo of the Statue of Liberty was taken at thistime. They arrive in Halifax Nova Scotia on the 13th.)

“December14th& 15th,Laid atanchor in the harbor. New transports arrive daily……Sailed fromHalifax. Are eight transports in the convoy. No lights are permittedon board ship. All port holes closed to prevent light from showing.”(He says the foodis not too good and the quarters are cold. One day he says they fedhim rotten meal and it nearly caused a riot.)

“December19th,Our convoy consists of an oil tanker, an ammunition ship, three trooptransports and one nurse ship. The other two are supply ships”

“December21st,We moved out on deck today as we are now in the danger zone. From nowon we wear our life belts. The night is very bright and the air isgreat. Haven’t been sick or missed a meal yet.”

“December23rd,A merchant vessel just passed us and when we reached port we foundthat she had been torpedoed by a German sub just an hour afterpassing us. We have 8 torpedo boat chasers with us now. We are nownear the coast of Scotland and on the starboard side the Irish coastis coming into view. Our trip ends tomorrow. Tonight is xmas nightand we have had no entertainment so far.”(They land in Liverpool and get ready to board the train)

“December25th,We left the boat on lighters for the train sheds. Our company left onthe “Skirmisher.” As soon as we landed we went into the Londonand N. W. Railway station and after carrying our barrack bags to thetrain we boarded it. The “Vaterland” flying the American Flag wasin the harbor. She had made the trip in 5 ½ days with 10,000 troopson board, all part of our division. We renamed our boat the “PeanutWagon.” Rations of corn beef and hard tack. We then boarded anEnglish train which was composed of about 20 small cars withcompartments instead of seats. Each compartment was made for 8passengers. “Third Class” was printed all over them lest peoplewould suspect that we were to ride in luxury. The cars were notheated and were cold as the dusce.”(At 2:30 in the morning they arrive at Romsey, the site of a restcamp. The next morning they march to the next railway station headedto Southampton dock. After 6 hours they board the S. S. SouthwesternMiller bound for LeHavreFrance. It was a cattle ship and they slept in a “dirty hole”.)

“December28th,stayed in dock till 1 P.M. Hundreds of Welsh and Scotch soldiers werethere. Several hundred Am. Signalmen passed the dock. The “WarBaron” and “War Viceroy” from Portland Oregon were in theharbor. Boarded the boat at 3 P.M. Reached Havre at 2 A.M.” (Waited2 hours with packs on before leaving the ship. Then they marched 5miles to Camp No. 1 at Navarre. He says Havre is a large city butvery depressing. All the women were black for mourning.)

1918

“January3rd,Still in the same place. 2,000 prisoners of war here. All have greencoats with PC marked on their backs. Went to the city this afternoonand gave it the once over. Freezing cold….”(Next day they board another “cold” train. Their ration car nevershowed up at the next stop so they had nothing to eat.)

“January6th,Got into a place called Rennes about 11 A.M. Our ration car came at 2P.M. We finally got our grub (at 3 P.M.) and left at five. Spentthree hrs. inspecting town. Military hospital here with lots ofcripples. Saw all the allied soldiers and also the German andAustrian prisoners. American artillery here.”(On to Brest)

“January8th,Snow. Got stoves for our barracks tho and we’ll have electriclights tomorrow. Cleaned up somewhat but have had no chance to take abath yet. Eats are great. Whee! Just heard that the M.P. and guardduties are off and that we leave tomorrow for Gen. Pershing’sheadquarters at Chaumont nearParis. No mail for a month, no bath for six weeks and no pay for twoand a half months. Great army life!”(Baths finally at the marine barracks that Napoleon built in 1814 andback on the train.)

“January13th,At 3 P.M. we passed thru an Americanartillery camp and on the side tracks we saw several of the big guns.Were about 20 ft. long and were “camouFlaged” in grotesquecolors. Some were inscribed “Alsace Lorraine.” The locomotiveswere painted also. Later we passed thru level fields which werestrewn with graves. The French Flag flying above them. These werevery numerous in some places. In all there were several hundreds.Along one side of the track field, kitchen and caterpillar tanks ontheir way to the front, halted while our train passed by. Thiscountry was once held by the Germans and several hard battles hadbeen fought in the vicinity. About midnight our train pulled intoChaumont. This is General Pershing’s headquarters. After a shortmarch we came to wooden barracks and here we were given bunks for thenight.”

“January14th,Nothing to eat today until 7 P.M. We moved to other barracks. The116thEng. andthe 9thArt. werestationed here. The 9thArt. Fired the first shot of the war for America. Now most of themare dead. The 9thinfantry was nearly annihilated. Out of one sector where 32 wereplaced at night, 9 were frozen to death in the morning….”

“January16th,Today the company went on detail. Some went on trucks and others weregrave diggers, etc. The American base hospital is here and there aremany wounded Americans inthem.”

“January17th,We leave at 8 A.M. This morning as we are under quarantine for aboutsix diseases. Packed our barrack bags and marched to a camp about 6miles away. Arrived there at noon. The camp is great. We live undercanvas but each tent has a stove and lots of wood. Got allstraightened up.”(He received his first batch of letters, 22, since leaving home.)

“January20th,……Outof 250 men in our company, 57 of them are in the hospital so far. Wehave scarlet fever, spinal meningitis, and about 3 other kinds ofdisease.”(Hearing his first battle sounds)

“January23rdto February 10th,During this time we were at “Camp Viral” which is the officialname of the camp. We drilled and were wood cutters in turn. Frenchwood is small limbs for the most which are one meter long and arepiled in “steers” of 1 meter long and high. Trucks from Chaumontcame for the wood. On February 1stmy squad was quarantined and confined to our tent as a case ofscarlet fever was found in the tent. We stayed in the tent and hadour meals brought to us for two weeks. Nice to be waited upon for afew days but it gets very tiresome. On February 3rdseveral canteens were lost and the men court martialed. Corp. Nelsondied in the hospital of pneumonia and the “Tuscania” was sunk.The ship we came across on just the trip before. The “Tuscania”was sunk near the Irish Sea with a loss of 212 men. I knew a few ofthem.” (By the11ththe quarantine is lifted. He then starts to summarize the month ofMarchwith several platoons being sent off, some also being sent to schoolnear the front for a 6 week course. One man sent to the guard housefor 2 months but he doesn’t know why. By the 1stof April they are all put on detail around headquarters. On April21sthe moves from Camp Bacon to Camp Babcock.)

“April22d, Drill anddetail as usual. Just received steel helmets and gas masks and havedrilled in them.”

“April24th& 26th,Company is split up. The privates are transferred to another division(32) and the newcoms(newcomers?) are toleave for England. I go to England. Why, I know not….At noon weleave Chaumont and it was mightilyhard to leavethe privates after living with them for 13 months.”(He arrives at Rest Camp #2 in Havre on the 28th)

“April29th,Still in Havre waiting to board a channel boat. Lots of BritishTommies here. A bunch of sailors from the Mediterranean came intocamp. Haven’t been home for over three years.”(He boarded the boat and was in Southampton the next morning. Thenthey hiked to Winchester, full packs on)

“May2-5th,Taking it easy most of the time. A fine camp and such beautifulcountry all around. We got a bunch of privates from the 127thInf. Feeling fine. As usual, go to town most every night. All kindsof girls and all crazy after the American soldier. Some good lookingones but very few.”(He says from the 11thof May to the 17th,eight thousand troops arrived.)

“June20th– 30th,On 6/25 took a 40 miles ride in an aeroplane and talk about yourwonderful experiences. There’s one I’ll never forget. Some greatthrills. Going up again _____. Is a five mile hike from Winnall DownCamp to aviation field but is worth it. Met some W.A.A.C.’s atFlower Down. Nuf said.”(From July 15th-23rdhe’s on furlough and heads to London. Sixteen pages are devoted tohis furlough)

“July23rdto 25th,Worked at the office all day and half the night. Seemed rotten to beback at camp, so dead. Crave the lights of London and also somethingelse? Wrote several letters and one to London.”

“July26th,Go back to London for the day. Sixteen of us from the company sentthere as a special body guard of the King. Quite an honor, eh? Ihappened to be one of the lucky ones to get to go. Left camp at 7:45A.M. in a motor truck for the station. Arrived at Waterloo Station at9:15 and had a large bus that took all of us to the Palace Theatrewhere we stood at PresentArmswhile Generalofferdle andAmbassador Page came into the theatre. Was the first appearance ofthe moving picture called, “America’s Answer to the Hun.” Weall then went in and saw the show. It certainly was a good one.Showed all US had done in the war in the way of building and etc.Then we all stood at Present Arms when they came out of the theatre.We then went in the bus to Eagle Hut and had dinner. Saw Miss Bruceand my friend from New Orleans. After dinner took a ride around townin the bus and at 3 P.M. went to the Alhambraand saw a good show. MissBruce got us the tickets…….”(More on that night, arriving back at camp that night)

“August7thto the 15th,Same work at theoffice. Troops coming as fast as ever. Meet a Portland boy passingthru to France. We hear that four old members of Co. E. who are nowin France are killed and lots wounded in the hospital. Pvt. Dudley,Wells, Turner and ____ are killed. Sure wish I was in France doingsomething. We expect to be there this winter, nice and cold. I wasthere last winter so I know. A great life if you don’t weaken. I ampromoted to Corporal soam given a new job and get out of the office. Not sorry at all…..”

“….Wowbut London is “Wild”, worse than ever. Have to watch your steparound those parts. All kinds of girls, I’ll say so. On train backto Winchester we meet Miss Elva Swinden of “Hold FartRevue”. Oh yes……”(His next entry is summing up 2 months at a time)

“August15thto October 30th,……Lostare dying from the flu. I am on the firing squad most everyday.Several U.S. nurses have died. An average of 25 men dying a day. Makea trip to town most every night and see “Babs”. Whow!(Talks about the other girls he is seeing)….Havinga warning for an air raid….no damage done. We’re having a drivefor war bonds. Big “doings” at Trafalgar Square and along theStrand. …..A man just back from the trenches with 17 wounds sleepsnext to me. Mike Alegande a Greek. Very well educated……I take aride in an aeroplane, up over ¾ of an hour. Fly all over Southamptonand the English Channel. My second ride but not my last.”

“October30thto November 5th,Camp is full of “Chocolate drops”, Negroes. Some band they have.Plays first thing every morning. Gave a concert in big YMCA tent…..”

“AboutNovember 7th,Co. E. (100 of us) parades in London at the inauguration of the LordMayor of London. We were the only ones representing the entire A.E.F. in the parade. Every one of the allies had a representative in theparade. We were first inspected by Gen. offerdle and he gave us acompliment, much to the delight of “Mother” Hotchkiss, ourcaptain. Never saw so many people in my life, all you could see formiles and miles. On top of buildings, telephone poles, etc. andbelieve me we made a hit. Talk about your cheering. They simply wentmad…..”

“December25thto January 30th1919.Some work as ever and nothing new. Move to “D” 20. We move toMorn Hill Camp and Winnall Down Camp is handed over to British. Imove to “M” 11 and a few days later to “N” 12 where I am now.Wallie Potter and myself make several trips to London and have a finetime at Ponders End with E. Bat. Home. On December 25thCo. “E” goes to London as President Wilson’s honor guard. Weform outside of Buckingham Palace and come to Present Arms as Mr. andMrs. Wilson pass by with King George and Queen Margaret. So we all goa good view of them. Afterwards we march up to Trafalgar Square upthe Strand to Waterlook bridge and…..”

Thediary suddenly stops there. Hispersonal photo showing him in uniform measures about 4 3/4” x 8”.The small photos measure about 2” x 2 1/2”. Then the diarymeasures about 3 1/2” x 5 1/2”. As far as the condition of thediary, the cover has completely come off but is accounted for. Thepages are all secure to their binding.