TRANSCRIBED FROM LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT JANUARY 9. 1919 P. 2
December 7, 1918.
Dear Fletcher:
I have intended to write to you for some time, but for the last two months, I have been traveling most of the time. On October 6, I sailed from the States and landed in Liverpool, England, on the morning of October 17 about 10 o'clock. I never will forget the night of the 16th. We had an explosion at sea that shook the whole ship. I don't know for sure even yet what it was, but we were all thankful to reach land again
I was left in Liverpool, but caught up with the company the next day at Winchester, England, where we stayed three days. While there we visited several old towers, cathedrals, castles, etc, of historical interest. I had the pleasure of seeing the old Round Table of King Arthur's knights of the round table, and numerous other relics.
We went from Winchester to South Hampton and sailed for France. I landed at La Harve, and stayed two days in an English camp. From there, I went to Nantes (two days and nights in a box car). We ran a hospital for awhile there. I was at Les Conetes the day the armistice was signed. We had our packs on our backs ready to start somewhere, when a French officer came up and announced that the armistice was signed. Now believe me, there was some celebration in France that day.
We marched on to Nantes, a distance of about eight kilometres, and all along the way we were cheered and given flowers. Nantes is a large city, and I never will forget our march down the main street that evening.
I saw Isaac and Oscar Anderson at Tours, and when I reached this camp, I found Homer Wilkins and Guy Camp. Homer is still here. We are together every day.
I went to town last night. Can't buy much here, though. I bought some bread and steak and carried it to the cafe and got it cooked.
I must close now. Give my best regards to the boys.
Yours truly,
Pvt. John E. Lyon.
152nd Field Hospital,
113th Sanitary Train, A.E.F.
NOTES: John Emmett Lyon was born in Greenbriar, Arkansas on November 29, 1890 and died on November 12, 1943. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Faulkner County, Arkansas. He departed from Brest, France on April 6, 1919 onboard the Winifredian. He arrived in Boston, Mass. on April 18, 1919. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in 103rd Ambulance Co. 101st San. Before the war he was an assistant cashier at the Faulkner County Bank. He was writing to Fletcher Smith.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HAROD
December 7, 1918.
Dear Fletcher:
I have intended to write to you for some time, but for the last two months, I have been traveling most of the time. On October 6, I sailed from the States and landed in Liverpool, England, on the morning of October 17 about 10 o'clock. I never will forget the night of the 16th. We had an explosion at sea that shook the whole ship. I don't know for sure even yet what it was, but we were all thankful to reach land again
I was left in Liverpool, but caught up with the company the next day at Winchester, England, where we stayed three days. While there we visited several old towers, cathedrals, castles, etc, of historical interest. I had the pleasure of seeing the old Round Table of King Arthur's knights of the round table, and numerous other relics.
We went from Winchester to South Hampton and sailed for France. I landed at La Harve, and stayed two days in an English camp. From there, I went to Nantes (two days and nights in a box car). We ran a hospital for awhile there. I was at Les Conetes the day the armistice was signed. We had our packs on our backs ready to start somewhere, when a French officer came up and announced that the armistice was signed. Now believe me, there was some celebration in France that day.
We marched on to Nantes, a distance of about eight kilometres, and all along the way we were cheered and given flowers. Nantes is a large city, and I never will forget our march down the main street that evening.
I saw Isaac and Oscar Anderson at Tours, and when I reached this camp, I found Homer Wilkins and Guy Camp. Homer is still here. We are together every day.
I went to town last night. Can't buy much here, though. I bought some bread and steak and carried it to the cafe and got it cooked.
I must close now. Give my best regards to the boys.
Yours truly,
Pvt. John E. Lyon.
152nd Field Hospital,
113th Sanitary Train, A.E.F.
NOTES: John Emmett Lyon was born in Greenbriar, Arkansas on November 29, 1890 and died on November 12, 1943. He is buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Faulkner County, Arkansas. He departed from Brest, France on April 6, 1919 onboard the Winifredian. He arrived in Boston, Mass. on April 18, 1919. He was listed as a Pvt. serving in 103rd Ambulance Co. 101st San. Before the war he was an assistant cashier at the Faulkner County Bank. He was writing to Fletcher Smith.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HAROD