AN AMERICAN WW1 SOLDIER WRITES HOME

 Letter to Aunt Nell - [I'm inserting this letter here because although I anticipated that it was written on June 18, I discovered when removing it from the envelope that it was actually written on June 8 and I'm transcribing it here in order to maintain the chronology of this post. I also want to mention that some of the envelopes from Clyde's overseas service were discovered to be empty.] Somewhere in France June 8, 1918 Dear Aunt Nell - Just a few lines to supplement my doings, etc. since I wrote you last. Am still in France - but at a slightly different place. My company is still in billets, of course, but I'm on a bit of detached duty up here at the British School of Scouting, Observation and Sniping [S.O.S.] for Officers and N.C.O.s. I am representing my company here. We have Four N.C.O.s and a Lieut. from my battalion, learning what we can about "S.O.S." It's quite a school - and I find the British instructors (commissioned and warranted) to be very...

 More diary entries - May 31, 1918, Friday. Fair. Very Warm. France Good stiff drill first half of morning - then had monthly muster. Billet Commanders meeting at 1:00 on future plans. Lecture by English Sergt. on the Short Enfield Rifle 2 -3. Cal. 303 Mark IIII. Went to a canal for a swim 3 -4. Good supper. Went down and changed money for french values (20 cents = 1 Franc) Air raid expected tonight. Wrote a few letters - bed fairly early. June 1, 1918. Sat. Warm. In France. Drill both a.m. & p.m. with reg. Sat. a.m. insp. this a.m. Not very interesting today. Air attackers very near us last night. Many Boche planes directly over us last night. Several bombs struck within a half mile of us. Jarred us nearly out of bed. Bed before the Boche arrived tonight. Had some corking fine old champagne tonight. June 2, 1918, Sun., Warm. In France Got my guard out this a.m. - then played cards with Markham until noon. Good luncheon. Wrote letters in p.m. "Jerry" didn't come aroun...

 Letter to Aunt Nell - [Keep in mind that censors read all outgoing mail which results in Clyde being cautious about some details]                                 Clyde's first letter to Aunt Nell from France. Note censor's stamp and signature. My address... Sgt. Clyde G. Bliss Co. M. 107th U.S. Inf. A.E.F.  via New York May 30, 1918 Dear Aunt Nell - Just a few lines to let you know that I am most assuredly in France. Your last letter reached me just before we left the U.S. - so I had no opportunity to answer it then - and since then I feel I should congratulate myself in having time, ever, to write home and to Anna. But now we're "set" - way up as near the front as it's healthy and - being in billets - have more spare time. The ocean voyage was splendid - due to the month, I presume - and except for one day when the sea was exceptionally rough - I felt as normal internally as on shore - and that o...

 More diary entries - May 24, 1918, Friday, Fair. Cooler. On French soil. Still aboard ship. Loafed all day until supper. Went off at 5:30 on big freighter - formed up & hiked through the quaint old city's outskirts. It's most picturesque - nature's welcomed us most impressively - then through a colorful country side - unforgettable - to a grassy field some 5 miles from Brest. Turner & I pitched pup tents together. Cold night. Stepped on French soil about 6 p.m. May 25, 1918, Sat., Fair. Warm. In France. Near Brest. Beautiful day! Bkfst. at 10 a.m. Fair. Cleaned up, changed clothes, loafed - managed details - had lecture on orders & rules of law. This is a temporary rest camp. Out for 2 hour hike this p.m. Field Range of officers' tents here. Orders came later ordering (?) baggage all sent out again. We slept under thr stars with our packs as pillows. Cold as hell! May 26, 1918, Sunday. Rain in a.m. Cleared up. France. Up at 1:00 a.m. Reveille at 3. Had coff...