TRANSCRIBED FROM THE POCAHONTAS STAR HERALD FEBRUARY 14, 1919 P. 7
A. E. F. France, Dec. 31, 1918.
Mrs. R. L. Melton,
Delaplaine, Ark.
Dear Mother:
I will write you a few lines to let you know I am getting along fine, and having a good time. What kind of a time did you have Christmas? I had a fairly good time, but I had much rather been home with you and Mary.
I hope you are all through gathering crop by this time. I am working every day, and hope I can soon get to come home and help get the new crop started. The boys are leaving here fast now for home, so I don’t think it will be many days until I can start for home.
Mother, I am in a camp near a little town named La Suze, about one hundred and twenty miles east of Brest, our nearest sea port. I don’t like this country as well as I thought I would, and I sure will be glad when we get started for home, as we boys are getting somewhat lonesome over here. Of course we get contrary now and then and don’t do as we are told to do. Our officers are splendid and I guess they should be tighter on us than what they are, for we certainly get out of place once in a while.
What are the children doing these days? Mother, I want you to stay in out of the bad weather and take good care of yourself. I guess you are having lots of snow by this time. It snowed a little over here on Christmas day. But it rains almost day and night.
I wish I could be with you all, for I haven’t heard from you since I left Camp Merritt, and you can guess how I feel about you. Mother, don’t worry about me, for I’m all right and hope to be there soon.
As I can’t think of anything more to write, had better close. Guess it will be no use for you to write me, for I hope to be home soon. So good bye, dearest mother.
From your son,
John W. Melton
NOTES: John Wesley Melton was born in Randolph County, Arkansas on December 2, 1886 and died in Pocahontas, Arkansas on May 12, 1957. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. in WWI serving in Co. A., 145th Infantry. He enlisted on July 29, 1918 and was discharged on April 17, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
A. E. F. France, Dec. 31, 1918.
Mrs. R. L. Melton,
Delaplaine, Ark.
Dear Mother:
I will write you a few lines to let you know I am getting along fine, and having a good time. What kind of a time did you have Christmas? I had a fairly good time, but I had much rather been home with you and Mary.
I hope you are all through gathering crop by this time. I am working every day, and hope I can soon get to come home and help get the new crop started. The boys are leaving here fast now for home, so I don’t think it will be many days until I can start for home.
Mother, I am in a camp near a little town named La Suze, about one hundred and twenty miles east of Brest, our nearest sea port. I don’t like this country as well as I thought I would, and I sure will be glad when we get started for home, as we boys are getting somewhat lonesome over here. Of course we get contrary now and then and don’t do as we are told to do. Our officers are splendid and I guess they should be tighter on us than what they are, for we certainly get out of place once in a while.
What are the children doing these days? Mother, I want you to stay in out of the bad weather and take good care of yourself. I guess you are having lots of snow by this time. It snowed a little over here on Christmas day. But it rains almost day and night.
I wish I could be with you all, for I haven’t heard from you since I left Camp Merritt, and you can guess how I feel about you. Mother, don’t worry about me, for I’m all right and hope to be there soon.
As I can’t think of anything more to write, had better close. Guess it will be no use for you to write me, for I hope to be home soon. So good bye, dearest mother.
From your son,
John W. Melton
NOTES: John Wesley Melton was born in Randolph County, Arkansas on December 2, 1886 and died in Pocahontas, Arkansas on May 12, 1957. He is buried in the Masonic Cemetery in Pocahontas. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Pvt. in WWI serving in Co. A., 145th Infantry. He enlisted on July 29, 1918 and was discharged on April 17, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS