TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COURIER DEMOCRAT OCTOBER 17, 1917 P. 7
With A. E. F., Ireland.
Dear Mr. Livingston:
I was quite lucky yesterday, for after a delay of some time I received quite a large bunch of mail from home. And among them was a letter from my mother: she told me that you would like a letter from me for the C-D. so I shall attempt to write a few at least of my experiences.
Of course you will have to excuse dates and such, for we are not allowed to tell such things, but they do not matter so much anyway. Our trip over the Atlantic was uneventful for the weather was good, and luckily so too, for I escaped that much dreaded "sea sickness". And we were fortunate too, in that we eluded the enemy submarines and landed safely.
We spent a short time in a sea port city of France and I can truthfully say it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Two flowers are the most noticeable things that I saw for it seemed that every hone that we passed was a mass of beautiful flowers. Of course, we were not there long enough to learn any of their language, but is was amusing to see the fellows make an effort at speaking it.
From France we were sent to England and I remained there "another short time". While there I, with a pal of mine, was assigned to a different organization, with 141st Aero squadron and soon afterwards was sent to Ireland. Now you have heard so many wonderful songs about Ireland, that you naturally think that it is unlike any other country in the world, and perhaps it is, but I have found it very much like America. in fact, more so than England or France.
The land here appears about like that at home, but owing to the fact that their principal crop is grain, and every inch is in cultivation, it is a much more pretty sight to see than a cotton or corn field.
One very good thing about the country is that there are no snakes here, so they say, but in passing through museum of a certain city a few days ago I saw reptiles that were raised in this country that would scare me more than a snake.
The buildings of both this country and England are practically all built of stone or brick, and roofed with either some permanent material such as tile or slate, or a straw thatched roof. And I want to say that there is nothing so picturesque as a white stone building with a straw roof such as so many of the country houses are built.
The trains too are interesting, for their coaches are very unlike ours, instead of a whole coach being thrown together, each is divided into sections, each section will comfortably seat eight people. Entrance is from the side. Their locomotives are very small, too, but they attain quite a good speed, and the road beds are as fine as I have ever seen, so traveling is quite pleasant here. No trains carry sleepers, due to the fact that Ireland is so small that long journeys are not possible and sleepers are not necessary.
As to our work, the only thing I can say is that we are caring for and repairing airplanes and that takes quite a lot of work for this is a large field. The weather here is very similar to home, except the fall is much earlier here than there.
I believe I have told you about all that I would be permitted to tell, so I shall close, wishing you all, the best of luck. I remain.
Your friend.
JOE FAULKNER.
My Address is Pvt. Wm. J. Faulkner, 142 Aero Squadron. American E.F., London. S. W. 1 England.
NOTES: William Joseph Faulkner was born on January 1, 1896 in Morrilton, Arkansas and died on December 17, 1985. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
With A. E. F., Ireland.
Dear Mr. Livingston:
I was quite lucky yesterday, for after a delay of some time I received quite a large bunch of mail from home. And among them was a letter from my mother: she told me that you would like a letter from me for the C-D. so I shall attempt to write a few at least of my experiences.
Of course you will have to excuse dates and such, for we are not allowed to tell such things, but they do not matter so much anyway. Our trip over the Atlantic was uneventful for the weather was good, and luckily so too, for I escaped that much dreaded "sea sickness". And we were fortunate too, in that we eluded the enemy submarines and landed safely.
We spent a short time in a sea port city of France and I can truthfully say it was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Two flowers are the most noticeable things that I saw for it seemed that every hone that we passed was a mass of beautiful flowers. Of course, we were not there long enough to learn any of their language, but is was amusing to see the fellows make an effort at speaking it.
From France we were sent to England and I remained there "another short time". While there I, with a pal of mine, was assigned to a different organization, with 141st Aero squadron and soon afterwards was sent to Ireland. Now you have heard so many wonderful songs about Ireland, that you naturally think that it is unlike any other country in the world, and perhaps it is, but I have found it very much like America. in fact, more so than England or France.
The land here appears about like that at home, but owing to the fact that their principal crop is grain, and every inch is in cultivation, it is a much more pretty sight to see than a cotton or corn field.
One very good thing about the country is that there are no snakes here, so they say, but in passing through museum of a certain city a few days ago I saw reptiles that were raised in this country that would scare me more than a snake.
The buildings of both this country and England are practically all built of stone or brick, and roofed with either some permanent material such as tile or slate, or a straw thatched roof. And I want to say that there is nothing so picturesque as a white stone building with a straw roof such as so many of the country houses are built.
The trains too are interesting, for their coaches are very unlike ours, instead of a whole coach being thrown together, each is divided into sections, each section will comfortably seat eight people. Entrance is from the side. Their locomotives are very small, too, but they attain quite a good speed, and the road beds are as fine as I have ever seen, so traveling is quite pleasant here. No trains carry sleepers, due to the fact that Ireland is so small that long journeys are not possible and sleepers are not necessary.
As to our work, the only thing I can say is that we are caring for and repairing airplanes and that takes quite a lot of work for this is a large field. The weather here is very similar to home, except the fall is much earlier here than there.
I believe I have told you about all that I would be permitted to tell, so I shall close, wishing you all, the best of luck. I remain.
Your friend.
JOE FAULKNER.
My Address is Pvt. Wm. J. Faulkner, 142 Aero Squadron. American E.F., London. S. W. 1 England.
NOTES: William Joseph Faulkner was born on January 1, 1896 in Morrilton, Arkansas and died on December 17, 1985. He is buried in the Oakland Cemetery in Russellville, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD