Thomas C. Key was born at Steelville (Crawford County), Missouri on January 19, 1896 to Samuel A. and Sarah L. Keys. On September 19, 1917, he was called to military service at Camp Travis, Texas, where he was assigned to Company F of the 357th Infantry Division of the American Expeditionary Forces. On March 24, 1918, he was designated a band musician in the Signal Platoon of Headquarters Company. He went to Europe on June 10, 1918, where he served in France and Germany from 1918 to 1919. With his military discharge in June 1919, he rejoined his wife Edna in Kansas, and in subsequent years was employed in banking in various Kansas communities. He died November 7, 1959.
From the guide to the Diary of Thomas C. Key (Musician, 357th Infantry Band, American Expeditionary Forces), 1917-1919, with additions to 1949, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)
