After Charles Anderson passed away in March 2005, we came upon a number of artifacts relating to his father's World War I service. Here is a compilation of William Anderson's service record, known service timeline and surviving letters. Many of these artifacts came from the Anderson's Wendell, MN farm after William's brother Carl passed away in 1982. William was with the 14th Construction Company, Army Air Service, and served under the American Expeditionary Forces in Winchester England during the summer and fall of 1918.
Tor Anderson, August 2005
William entered the Army May 17, 1918 in Elbow Lake, Minnesota. Below is the only service record we can find. It is the bonus application obtained from the Minnesota Historical Society. Unfortunately, national military service records were destroyed in a fire during the 1970's.
After beginning active duty on May 17, 1918, William traveled to Camp Sevier, near Greenville, South Carolina. Below is a May 19 post card he sent to his brother Herman prior to arriving in South Carolina.
Collecting and sharing post cards were a popular way to document one's travels. Following are postcard folders William sent to his sister Nellie and brothers Carl and Allen.
Although we have no record of William serving at Camp Forest, Georgia, he may have been there as he had this post card folder.
These post cards place William in the Southeast late May and early June of 1918. Below is a WWI Army map I found on the internet which locates Camp Sevier and Camp Dodge where he was discharged in December 1918.
The next known location of William's service is at Camp Mills Army Air Field #2, near Garden City on Long Island, New York.
Here's an air field map from the era I obtained on the internet. This area was completely filled in with development years ago. I recall Charles mentioning a visit William made to New York in the 50's and was disappointed to recognize very little of his old air field.
A number of letters from William to his mother survived and are imaged here with text transcripts. Three letters are from Hempstead NY dated June 22, July 5, and August 8, 1918. Click the following links to view.
Some of William's New York post cards found on the Wendell farm follows.
The next letter from William is dated August 18, sent from Winchester, England. There was no indication in the August 8 letter that the voyager was coming. I believe we've determined how and when William went Over There. William purchased a portrait of the SS Olympic some years later.
The SS Olympic was a sister ship to the Titanic and served as an Allied transport ship during the war. It sported the razzle dazzle camouflage paint scheme of the time. Here's some SS Olympic period pictures found on the internet.
A little research found that the SS Olympic sailed with troops from New York on August 9, 1918 and arrived in Southampton, England August 16. See below link.
A pocket New Testament found in Williams effects have the dates 9 of August, 1918 and 17th England. Its a good likelihood that William was on this voyage.
Click on the link below to view the only letter we have from William in England.
The next and last letter we have from William in the Army is dated December 21, 1918 and sent from Camp Dodge, Iowa. As we know he was discharged from Camp Dodge on December 27, this could have been his last letter in the Army.
Here's a postcard William saved from Camp Dodge.
Here are a couple more photos of William in the Army. The locations and other soldier are unknown.
The Wendell newspapers are referenced in William's letters. Some of these papers during and after the War have survived. Below is an interesting one that announces a welcome home gathering for returning soldiers. William and his brother Allen, who served in the Army Corp of Engineers are on the list.
After returning to Wendell, William kept in touch with some of his Army comrades. Below is a link to some correspondences William received after the War.
May 4, 1919, May 31, 1920 and March 29, 1921 Letters
Another interesting find is an little note book that William kept during his Army service. He used this as an address book where fellow soldiers entered their home address in their own hand.
William Anderson's Personal Address Book
Other William Anderson artifacts such as a service cap and dog tags have been saved and put into a display case proudly hanging in our den.
