Alvin Russell Davis Correspondence, 1917-1919

Title:

Alvin Russell Davis Correspondence, 1917-1919

Creator:

Davis, Alvin Russell, 1897-1960

Creator Role:

Author

Accession / Call Number:

2023.057

Object ID:

2023.057

Date:

1917-1919

Physical Description:

1 box ; 0.42 linear feet

Level of Description:

Collection

Abstract:

This collection consists of correspondence of Alvin Russell Davis between 1917 and 1919, documenting his service with the 103rd Infantry Regiment during World War I. Davis primarily writes to his mother, Addie Erwin, and his girlfriend, Bertha E. Stearns.

Scope and Content:

The Alvin Russell Davis Correspondence, 1917-1919, consists of his correspondence with friends and family while serving in the army during World War I. Davis primarily writes to his mother, Addie Erwin, and his girlfriend, Bertha E. Stearns, with a few letters to Mrs. O. V. Norcross [Eva May Norcross] and his father, David Erwin. There is a single letter to Davis from his mother in this collection as well as a couple letters from his mother to Bertha, providing updates on her son, and a few letters from others who have met Davis overseas. The letters detail his service with Company H of the 1st New Hampshire Regiment from their time in New Hampshire to Camp Bartlett in Westfield, MA, where they became part of the 103rd Infantry Regiment. His letters continue through their deployment overseas, where he stops briefly in England before heading to the frontlines in France. \n \n Most of his letters throughout this collection reminisce on life back in New Hampshire, his friends and family, and the theater. He also gives updates on friends and family from other letters he has received, providing a look at home life during this time, as he writes about the family farm and of Bertha Stearns' teaching.\n \n Davis' early letters also discuss preparing to leave for France, with some notes on their training, camp life, and medical treatment such as getting vaccinated. In October 1917, he writes first from England and then from France, describing the countries, the sounds of battle, and how he misses the United States. Included is a full description of his travel from the United States to England. The bulk of the letters in this collection date from 1918, where he details camp life, the damage to the villages they are in, battles with the Germans, what it is like in the trenches, and stays in the hospital due to injury and illness. Davis suffered multiple injuries at the frontline, including being hit by shrapnel and being gassed. He notes after his last hospital stay that this has left his heart and lungs in "bad shape."\n \n Though often praising the Red Cross on their work and the help they have given the soldiers, he spends multiple letters telling Bertha that he does not want her to become a Red Cross nurse because he does not want her near the war. The letters continue with Davis celebrating the end of the war and waiting to hear when they will be returning to the United States. In April 1919 he writes from Camp Devens, MA, where he and his company are stationed. The last letter in this collection, dated May 7, 1919, notes there is no more need for writing letters as they are leaving on Friday.\n \n Some of the letters in this collection have been censored. A couple of the letters from home briefly mention the increasing influenza pandemic (Spanish flu).

Arrangement:

The materials in this collection are arranged chronologically.

Subjects:

Correspondence, Farms, Influenza Epidemic, 1918-1919, Military life, Soldiers, Teachers, Thanksgiving Day, Theater, World War, 1914-1918, World War, 1914-1918--Hospitals

Locations:

Keene, NH
Rindge, NH
Sullivan, NH
Westfield, MA
England
France
Camp Devens, MA

People:

Davis, Alvin Russell, 1897-1960, Stearns, Bertha Edith, 1898-1995, Erwin, Addie, 1871-1946, Erwin, David, 1853-1934, Norcross, Eva May, 1874-1961

Credit Line:

Gift of Vanessa Murphy.

Location Code:

TL/1E

Restrictions:

Available for research.

Preferred Citation:

Item title, Alvin Russell Davis Correspondence, 2023.057. New Hampshire Historical Society, Concord, NH. Date accessed.

Finding Aid Link:

Davis_Alvin_Russell_Correspondence_2023.057.pdf