TRANSCRIBED FROM THE MALVERN TIMES JOURNAL FEBRUARY 6, 1919 P. 4
France, Dec. 24, 1918.
Dear Sir:
As Christmas is here again, and the little old war is over already, and I have a few minutes’ spare time, I will write you a few lines.
Boy, I am telling the truth---I don’t like France at all, for it rains too much over here. It started raining some time before I landed here and it hasn’t quit yet. This would be a good country to sell rain coats or gold fish.
You ought to hear me speak French. It takes me one month to learn one word. These people can’t talk, much less trying to fight. I wish you could have been with me on October 6th, when I went in the trenches, and on October 8th I went over the top with the 142d M. G. Bat., as our old company was split up when we started. Lots of the boys were transferred to other companies. Boy, the front is one more place it isn’t healthy, and a man stands a chance to get hurt, and the old 39th division lost lots of men. Most all the 114th Engineers were wiped out. Lots of other companies suffered sickness, but, at any rate, we came out all o. k., didn’t we? I think we will be back in the States in a few months; I hope so. I don’t like to be a soldier now when there isn’t any war anymore.
Now, about Christmas. Each soldier received one and one-half pounds of candy and a package of cigarettes. I wouldn’t tell you about this candy or cigarettes, but this is our first candy since being in France. Yes, turkey for dinner Christmas over here. What do you think of that! Well, they ought to treat us good, for, boy, we faced hell at the front, and I am telling you we stayed there till she froze over and skated around on ice. Of course, that was our business over here. I have met lots of home boys. Some of them “went west.” They can’t stand this staying in the “frog country,” and I hope in a few months to catch the good old boat for the States.
Now, I will close. Hoping you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ARVIE E. ELKINS.
NOTES: Arvie Edward Elkins was born at Malvern, Arkansas on November 17, 1918 and died at Benton, Arkansas on April 20, 1968. He is buried in the Oakland and Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park in Little Rock, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN
France, Dec. 24, 1918.
Dear Sir:
As Christmas is here again, and the little old war is over already, and I have a few minutes’ spare time, I will write you a few lines.
Boy, I am telling the truth---I don’t like France at all, for it rains too much over here. It started raining some time before I landed here and it hasn’t quit yet. This would be a good country to sell rain coats or gold fish.
You ought to hear me speak French. It takes me one month to learn one word. These people can’t talk, much less trying to fight. I wish you could have been with me on October 6th, when I went in the trenches, and on October 8th I went over the top with the 142d M. G. Bat., as our old company was split up when we started. Lots of the boys were transferred to other companies. Boy, the front is one more place it isn’t healthy, and a man stands a chance to get hurt, and the old 39th division lost lots of men. Most all the 114th Engineers were wiped out. Lots of other companies suffered sickness, but, at any rate, we came out all o. k., didn’t we? I think we will be back in the States in a few months; I hope so. I don’t like to be a soldier now when there isn’t any war anymore.
Now, about Christmas. Each soldier received one and one-half pounds of candy and a package of cigarettes. I wouldn’t tell you about this candy or cigarettes, but this is our first candy since being in France. Yes, turkey for dinner Christmas over here. What do you think of that! Well, they ought to treat us good, for, boy, we faced hell at the front, and I am telling you we stayed there till she froze over and skated around on ice. Of course, that was our business over here. I have met lots of home boys. Some of them “went west.” They can’t stand this staying in the “frog country,” and I hope in a few months to catch the good old boat for the States.
Now, I will close. Hoping you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
ARVIE E. ELKINS.
NOTES: Arvie Edward Elkins was born at Malvern, Arkansas on November 17, 1918 and died at Benton, Arkansas on April 20, 1968. He is buried in the Oakland and Fraternal Historic Cemetery Park in Little Rock, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY KAREN PITTMAN