TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BAXTER BULLETIN JANUARY 17, 1919 P.1
France Nov. 14. ‘18
Dear father and family:
Hope these few lines find you all O.K. I am at the same place as before and am enjoying myself very much.
I suppose every thing is all O.K. at home. Sure do hope so.
Do you remember about the 345th Infantry that I was in at Camp Pike? I have just returned from a concert given by their Band at the Hospital. They sure have a dandy good Band. Not as good as “ours” though. I heard them play their first tune in Camp Pike when I was there, and today I heard them play about their last one in France, as they are to return to the States real soon. Wish you could see this camp. All I have done since I came “over here” has been work on airplanes, sure great work too. I spent most of my time on one special foreign motor “Salmson.” of which I have built complete twelve and had my thirteenth nearing completion when I was placed on special duty with the band. We have the Liberty, Mono, Hispana, Saiga, Rinault, Fiat, Le Rhone, Salmson, and others. Sure wish you could see the planes in the air about 10:30 in the morning. Some sight believe me. This is the second largest flying field and production center in France and it is some place.
There are six big plants here and they sure put out the work. We could always tell when something was going to happen at the front by the number of planes that were ordered. I’m at Romorautin. I’m taking advantage of this special order to write “Dad a letter,” and tell him everything. You know I can’t tell you everything but will tell you enough that you will know about what I am doing. I have quit work at the plants now and am spending my time with the band. Same bunch I started out with. We have played in the largest cities in the States, New York, Phila., Washington, Baltimore and other places. We played in Liverpool, South Hampton, and La Havre in Europe and we expect to tone the States when we return. The Band composes of 42 instruments and we make some noise believe me. You know after we loaded on the boat in New York we went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then from there we went to Liverpool, got 2 sub’s during the time, saw a big ice berg off the Irish Coast. You bet I have plenty to tell you when I get home.
Have several dear lady friends “over here,” but think I have some just as dear back in the States, especially in Charlotte, N. C.
Hope this letter makes it clear to you that I have had everything my way. Think I have worked things very satisfactorilly and for my own good. As you know the war is over and I am soon to be coming home or at least I feel that way about it, then I can tell you all of it. Even at that I can’t tell you what the fellows from the front line can tell you, although I have a pretty good line.
Ans. real soon, love to all,
Your Son,
Corp. Roy Kirkwood
NOTES: Roy R. Kirkwood was born on January 10, 1896 and died on June 17, 1961. He is buried in the Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Corp. serving in the 4 Mtr. Mech. Regt. In WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON
France Nov. 14. ‘18
Dear father and family:
Hope these few lines find you all O.K. I am at the same place as before and am enjoying myself very much.
I suppose every thing is all O.K. at home. Sure do hope so.
Do you remember about the 345th Infantry that I was in at Camp Pike? I have just returned from a concert given by their Band at the Hospital. They sure have a dandy good Band. Not as good as “ours” though. I heard them play their first tune in Camp Pike when I was there, and today I heard them play about their last one in France, as they are to return to the States real soon. Wish you could see this camp. All I have done since I came “over here” has been work on airplanes, sure great work too. I spent most of my time on one special foreign motor “Salmson.” of which I have built complete twelve and had my thirteenth nearing completion when I was placed on special duty with the band. We have the Liberty, Mono, Hispana, Saiga, Rinault, Fiat, Le Rhone, Salmson, and others. Sure wish you could see the planes in the air about 10:30 in the morning. Some sight believe me. This is the second largest flying field and production center in France and it is some place.
There are six big plants here and they sure put out the work. We could always tell when something was going to happen at the front by the number of planes that were ordered. I’m at Romorautin. I’m taking advantage of this special order to write “Dad a letter,” and tell him everything. You know I can’t tell you everything but will tell you enough that you will know about what I am doing. I have quit work at the plants now and am spending my time with the band. Same bunch I started out with. We have played in the largest cities in the States, New York, Phila., Washington, Baltimore and other places. We played in Liverpool, South Hampton, and La Havre in Europe and we expect to tone the States when we return. The Band composes of 42 instruments and we make some noise believe me. You know after we loaded on the boat in New York we went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, then from there we went to Liverpool, got 2 sub’s during the time, saw a big ice berg off the Irish Coast. You bet I have plenty to tell you when I get home.
Have several dear lady friends “over here,” but think I have some just as dear back in the States, especially in Charlotte, N. C.
Hope this letter makes it clear to you that I have had everything my way. Think I have worked things very satisfactorilly and for my own good. As you know the war is over and I am soon to be coming home or at least I feel that way about it, then I can tell you all of it. Even at that I can’t tell you what the fellows from the front line can tell you, although I have a pretty good line.
Ans. real soon, love to all,
Your Son,
Corp. Roy Kirkwood
NOTES: Roy R. Kirkwood was born on January 10, 1896 and died on June 17, 1961. He is buried in the Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly, New Jersey. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Corp. serving in the 4 Mtr. Mech. Regt. In WWI.
TRANSCRIBED BY MIKE POLSTON