TRANSCRIBED FROM THE COLUMBIA BANNER JUNE 11, 1919 P. 1
May, 11th, 1919.
Lemans, France.
Spur Camp.
My Dear mother;
It is a great pleasure for me to sit down this beautiful Sunday afternoon and write to you.
Mother, I guess you know that this day was set apart as Mothers Day. And dear mother I am proud that I can tell you that I am just as clean and pure as I was the day I left you and I expect to come back to you that way. Mother dear, I have never done a thing that I would not tell you of. You know I am true to you and always expect to be. So Mother, my dear, don’t you worry one bit about this boy for I am glad to say that I am surely feeling fine and expecting to come back to the old home and father and mother in the near future, a clean pure man. Well mother kiss little Dorrie for me. Tell her brother wants to see her.
For such as you dear mother mine,
I want to keep the road.
Where worthy men clear eyed and frank.
Live by their honor code.
I know, in that great Mother’s heart.
There is a sacred shrine.
Where I in all perfection live.
Your boy Dear Mother mine.
I must be strong. I must be clean.
In mind and body too.
My debt to all prosperity.
And women, such as you.
So good by mother dear with lots of love to all.
As ever your loving son.
Archie C. Johnston.
Co. A. 131st Engineers.
Spur Camp, A. P. O. 762
American E. F., France.
NOTES: Archie Corneleus Johnston was born on September 30, 1891 at Magnolia. Columbia County, Arkansas and died on June 21, 1974 at Magnolia. He is buried in the Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery at Magnolia. He was described as being of medium height and slender with light brown eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
May, 11th, 1919.
Lemans, France.
Spur Camp.
My Dear mother;
It is a great pleasure for me to sit down this beautiful Sunday afternoon and write to you.
Mother, I guess you know that this day was set apart as Mothers Day. And dear mother I am proud that I can tell you that I am just as clean and pure as I was the day I left you and I expect to come back to you that way. Mother dear, I have never done a thing that I would not tell you of. You know I am true to you and always expect to be. So Mother, my dear, don’t you worry one bit about this boy for I am glad to say that I am surely feeling fine and expecting to come back to the old home and father and mother in the near future, a clean pure man. Well mother kiss little Dorrie for me. Tell her brother wants to see her.
For such as you dear mother mine,
I want to keep the road.
Where worthy men clear eyed and frank.
Live by their honor code.
I know, in that great Mother’s heart.
There is a sacred shrine.
Where I in all perfection live.
Your boy Dear Mother mine.
I must be strong. I must be clean.
In mind and body too.
My debt to all prosperity.
And women, such as you.
So good by mother dear with lots of love to all.
As ever your loving son.
Archie C. Johnston.
Co. A. 131st Engineers.
Spur Camp, A. P. O. 762
American E. F., France.
NOTES: Archie Corneleus Johnston was born on September 30, 1891 at Magnolia. Columbia County, Arkansas and died on June 21, 1974 at Magnolia. He is buried in the Magnolia Memorial Park Cemetery at Magnolia. He was described as being of medium height and slender with light brown eyes and dark hair.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.