TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BRINKLEY ARGUS SEPTEMBER 20, 1918 P. 1
"Somewhere in France."
August 12, 1918.
My darling mother and father:
It matters not how dutiful we may have been in the "states" or how prompt in writing, circumstances for the past month have been anything but an opportunity to write. We have had a wonderful trip and are at last settled for a week at least here we can enjoy once more the smell and taste of American food.
We landed some place on the English coast and had the opportunity of making a trip with several chaps across the British Isles. While at one city I was privileged to pass and enjoy very much observing the contrast between city life in the U.S.A. to that in "Blighty" as England is called by the "chaps" who are fighting for the country they seem to love so well. England is very beautiful and reminds one a great deal of Virginia state, although much prettier and of course their methods of doing things were interesting. You certalnly have to take off your hat to them when it comes to transporting troops both by rail and water. The types of architecture isdecidedly English and a pure contrast to American idea of everybody do something different to his neighbor. As I was told building is regulated by the authorities and a person must do things according to the law of the land.
We were billeted in several English “rest” camps (more of that I will tell when I come home) and were to mingle with "Tommy Atkins," "The Ladie from Hell," Scots) Australians, Irish, Canadians and and also passed on our trip Indanese and Algerian troops.
Our going thru France was very excitedly started, in a way, which it will take a great long time to forget. We traveled in a "De Luxe French railway" in beautiful cars which were labled Honmes 40, Chateany 8, meaning 40 men or 8 horsee. The only good thing about it was they said man before horses. My days of Quo Vadis were fully eclipsed and I am fearful that after the war is over my wander lust will have been sadly quelched.
We pass through beautiful farm lands being tilled in many places by women, the gardens that you see are wonderful and every bit of land is being utilized for the production of food stuffs. One particular thing you note in both France and England is the absence of wooden houses every barn and home is either made of stone or rock. The roads are great thru out the countries and are either gravel, cobble or asphalt-however after several long trips of seeing the world on foot you soon realize a dislike for these roads as flexibility is lacking sweet memories of dust roads come back to you.
The scenery through France is very pretty and reminds one a great deal of California scenery mixed with Colorado—if can picture and amalgamation in your mind. The thing that you notice particularly is the great productivity of the soil. The trip was impressive but I can say for every man in the outfit that when we reached our destination joy reigned and a sigh of relief passed the lips of every “soldat.”
We were nicely billited in France and are getting plenty of food and good water to drink. We are in a position where we come in contact with the French people and are trying to adjust ourselves to their ideas excellent people and truly welcome the American soldiers with open arms and wish them “Bon Voyage” at every turn of the road.
I have had several interesting talks with our English speaking allies but as yet have only learned to say “no compre” to the French “Poilu” and he seems to understand as he shakes his head and lets it go at that.
I am working in the Regimental Supply Office and I think that I will enjoy the work as worth while, things are to be learned for an effort.
A letter is decidedly hard to write over here, there are so many interesting things that have to go unwritten that you will have to wait for the happy return home when the boys will be able to tell fireside stories that will be well worth the listening.
I am well, happy and contented with everything.
With love and kisses, I am
Devotedly,
Claude.
NOTES: Claude Dinsmore Sims was born in Arkansas on July 21, 1896 and died of disease on September 25, 1918 in France. He is buried in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery in France. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Private serving in the 78th FA 6th Division. He also has a headstone in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley, Arkansas. The stone inscription shows him serving in the 78th FA 6 Division. Inscription: “Served with honor in the World’s War-died in the service of his country-buried in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery France”
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD.
"Somewhere in France."
August 12, 1918.
My darling mother and father:
It matters not how dutiful we may have been in the "states" or how prompt in writing, circumstances for the past month have been anything but an opportunity to write. We have had a wonderful trip and are at last settled for a week at least here we can enjoy once more the smell and taste of American food.
We landed some place on the English coast and had the opportunity of making a trip with several chaps across the British Isles. While at one city I was privileged to pass and enjoy very much observing the contrast between city life in the U.S.A. to that in "Blighty" as England is called by the "chaps" who are fighting for the country they seem to love so well. England is very beautiful and reminds one a great deal of Virginia state, although much prettier and of course their methods of doing things were interesting. You certalnly have to take off your hat to them when it comes to transporting troops both by rail and water. The types of architecture isdecidedly English and a pure contrast to American idea of everybody do something different to his neighbor. As I was told building is regulated by the authorities and a person must do things according to the law of the land.
We were billeted in several English “rest” camps (more of that I will tell when I come home) and were to mingle with "Tommy Atkins," "The Ladie from Hell," Scots) Australians, Irish, Canadians and and also passed on our trip Indanese and Algerian troops.
Our going thru France was very excitedly started, in a way, which it will take a great long time to forget. We traveled in a "De Luxe French railway" in beautiful cars which were labled Honmes 40, Chateany 8, meaning 40 men or 8 horsee. The only good thing about it was they said man before horses. My days of Quo Vadis were fully eclipsed and I am fearful that after the war is over my wander lust will have been sadly quelched.
We pass through beautiful farm lands being tilled in many places by women, the gardens that you see are wonderful and every bit of land is being utilized for the production of food stuffs. One particular thing you note in both France and England is the absence of wooden houses every barn and home is either made of stone or rock. The roads are great thru out the countries and are either gravel, cobble or asphalt-however after several long trips of seeing the world on foot you soon realize a dislike for these roads as flexibility is lacking sweet memories of dust roads come back to you.
The scenery through France is very pretty and reminds one a great deal of California scenery mixed with Colorado—if can picture and amalgamation in your mind. The thing that you notice particularly is the great productivity of the soil. The trip was impressive but I can say for every man in the outfit that when we reached our destination joy reigned and a sigh of relief passed the lips of every “soldat.”
We were nicely billited in France and are getting plenty of food and good water to drink. We are in a position where we come in contact with the French people and are trying to adjust ourselves to their ideas excellent people and truly welcome the American soldiers with open arms and wish them “Bon Voyage” at every turn of the road.
I have had several interesting talks with our English speaking allies but as yet have only learned to say “no compre” to the French “Poilu” and he seems to understand as he shakes his head and lets it go at that.
I am working in the Regimental Supply Office and I think that I will enjoy the work as worth while, things are to be learned for an effort.
A letter is decidedly hard to write over here, there are so many interesting things that have to go unwritten that you will have to wait for the happy return home when the boys will be able to tell fireside stories that will be well worth the listening.
I am well, happy and contented with everything.
With love and kisses, I am
Devotedly,
Claude.
NOTES: Claude Dinsmore Sims was born in Arkansas on July 21, 1896 and died of disease on September 25, 1918 in France. He is buried in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery in France. His military headstone identifies him as an Arkansas Private serving in the 78th FA 6th Division. He also has a headstone in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Brinkley, Arkansas. The stone inscription shows him serving in the 78th FA 6 Division. Inscription: “Served with honor in the World’s War-died in the service of his country-buried in the Meuse Argonne Cemetery France”
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD.