A Personal Account of one soldier’s WWI Experience
By Lauren Klamm
April 6 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of America’s entrance into World War I.
As men made their way from their homes in the US to the trenches of Europe, soldiers and their loved ones in the States sent keepsakes and saved memorabilia, commemorating what was to become one of the most influential events in the 20th century.
When one thinks of textiles of war, uniforms, banners and flags immediately come to mind. Caring for Textiles has treated several non-traditional WWI commemorative pieces, including an entire quilted wall-hanging made up entirely of stitched cigarette silks. These printed cotton sateen panels show flags, military leaders and royalty from this era.
Cigarette silk Quilted Wall-hanging
However, perhaps the most breathtaking and personal piece from this era, came from a private client, whose great-grandfather served in Europe.
Imprinting his thoughts with ink, this soldier chose to document his promotions, movements and personal thoughts on this silk flag. Writing a journal was against military rules, as it could fall to enemy hands, but here our soldier notates milestones, fears, and success on a textile, a silk flag, which he clearly carried on his person. It is to history’s benefit that he penned these very personal accounts of war, the Great War, in the language of the day.
Our conservation work involved relaxing large creases and mounting, so that it will now last for many generations to come.
Totaling fourteen inscriptions in all, this soldier lovingly transcribes his pride, his faith and even his longing to hear from his loved ones.
From his “Baptism of war” to serving in the Somme, the flag serves as an amazing and personal record of just one of thousands of American soldiers tasked with fighting.
“The Happiest Day of my Life , Feb.26, 1917. Received my Commission (sheepskin) from the War Dept. Our Lord has seen fit to fulfill my prayers. May He give me strength to accomplish my mission..”
“Jan 5, 1918. Sunk Hun U-Boat. My Baptism of War. Excited but controlled myself immediately, my thoughts were of My Loved Ones. My trust was in “Our Lord” if He show fit”
“Served 42nd Div[ision] until July 14-1918. 42nd went to the Somme… Best Div[ision] in France.”
A heart-breaking entry from April 10th, 1918 reads “Merciful God [,] help me bear my lonesomeness. Mother Dear write to your Boy”
Art speaks to the heart and preserving these thoughts, no matter the medium, continues the prayer. Thank you Julia and team. Judith
I’m a sucker for compartmented designs. The idea of using cigarette silks to make a larger textile is still visible in flea markets and the like. I recently saw a sport coat entirely made from them. Younger silks, of course.
I grew up in a Protestant fundamentalist family, although I am not a believer myself. The way this soldier parades his beliefs seems old-fashioned, but I see very similar things in letters I get from some members of my family.
What an extraordinary artifact. And what luck that it surfaced and came to you.
These are indeed poignant. My grandfather was one of two or three survivors in a WWI regiment of Kansas volunteers in France.
I am with you R. John Howe, in that I’m also brought up fundamentalist Protestant tho’ I very early felt my ‘calling’ away from all that. However please understand that at the time these ealry 20c ‘boys’ were writing perhaps their last messages into the ether, most Americans hewed as religiously to various sects of mainly (?) Protestant Christianity, as most SE Asians and Middle Easterners adhere to their religious traditions today.
Thanks to Lauren Klamm and Julia, for sharing these images.
~ John