TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SOUTHWEST AMERICAN SEPTEMBER 12, 1917 P. 4
Dear Aunt Helen:
I am now in England, safe and well. Everything is great here. The English people are as good to us as though we were their men.
The trip across was fine all the way—I didn’t get seasick and enjoyed my first ocean trip. I am not allowed to give details, but it may be safe to state I saw no signs of a submarine and I know we were not in fear of any.
Our trip was thus: We had a fine liner—a big one with lots of room for the men, deck games, piano and singing, our band, target practice and good eats.
After landing at an England port we traveled by train to the camp I am at now. The trip by rail gave us a view of England which was certainly great. We were cheered all along and given tea and cakes. We were the first Americans over the route we took.
The king and queen have reviewed us at our camp, so you see how our presence is taken.
A “Tommy” just told me we were the first American troops reviewed by the king. The “Tommies” and the “Yanks” get along fine.
They are helping us to get used to the ways here and count English money.
I cannot give you an address on this side yet. We won’t be here very long.
I am now known as Wagoner Pope. I understand our United States address is as follows:
Wagoner A. F. Pope, Quartermaster, Eleventh Engineers (Railway), Expeditionary Force in France, care of Major General, Washington D.C. With love and best wishes to all, and regards to “Uncle Billy” (W. A.) Johnson, I am,
Your loving nephew,
FAY POPE,
Somewhere in England,
July 28, 1917.
NOTES: Ashby Faye Pope was writing to his aunt, Mrs. M. F. “Helen” Harper of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on July 31, 1895 in Fort Smith and died on November 23, 1987 in New Jersey. He rose to the rank of Sergeant.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
Dear Aunt Helen:
I am now in England, safe and well. Everything is great here. The English people are as good to us as though we were their men.
The trip across was fine all the way—I didn’t get seasick and enjoyed my first ocean trip. I am not allowed to give details, but it may be safe to state I saw no signs of a submarine and I know we were not in fear of any.
Our trip was thus: We had a fine liner—a big one with lots of room for the men, deck games, piano and singing, our band, target practice and good eats.
After landing at an England port we traveled by train to the camp I am at now. The trip by rail gave us a view of England which was certainly great. We were cheered all along and given tea and cakes. We were the first Americans over the route we took.
The king and queen have reviewed us at our camp, so you see how our presence is taken.
A “Tommy” just told me we were the first American troops reviewed by the king. The “Tommies” and the “Yanks” get along fine.
They are helping us to get used to the ways here and count English money.
I cannot give you an address on this side yet. We won’t be here very long.
I am now known as Wagoner Pope. I understand our United States address is as follows:
Wagoner A. F. Pope, Quartermaster, Eleventh Engineers (Railway), Expeditionary Force in France, care of Major General, Washington D.C. With love and best wishes to all, and regards to “Uncle Billy” (W. A.) Johnson, I am,
Your loving nephew,
FAY POPE,
Somewhere in England,
July 28, 1917.
NOTES: Ashby Faye Pope was writing to his aunt, Mrs. M. F. “Helen” Harper of Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was born on July 31, 1895 in Fort Smith and died on November 23, 1987 in New Jersey. He rose to the rank of Sergeant.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT