Papers, 1917-2007

ArchivalResource

Guernsey, Lamar R. 1897-1981. Papers, 1917-2007

Papers, 1917-2007

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/191805507

This collection contains correspondence of Lamar R. Guernsey shortly before and during his service in the U.S. Army during World War I. Guernsey's two main correspondents are his parents in Marshalltown, Iowa, and Evelyn "Betty" Thompson, a friend who attended Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa, and later was a school teacher in Palo, Iowa. Guernsey often asked about friends and family back home and shared with his parents what he could about his experiences in the war. He described his overseas trip, the landing, and some of the equipment he carried with him. He also wrote about his experiences in France and shared his views on the French culture. In his letters to Betty before his enlistment, Guernsey inquired about her college activities and briefly told about his time spent at Iowa State College (University) and the push ball tournament he saw there in 1917. While he served in the military, Guernsey described living conditions, how he spent his Christmas overseas, and some of the places he was able to see and visit while in France. He also related a story about a meal shared with a local French family. The collection also contains several letters between members of the R.E.J. Thompson family including letters received by Evelyn "Betty" Thompson from other servicemen. Her brother, Cecil, also served in the war and wrote several letters to Betty and to his parents. In a letter to his parents, Lamar Guernsey commented that Cecil had been hospitalized following a gassing. A collection of photographs from the 1930s showing military exercises are included in the papers, including a photograph of an unidentified serviceman (possibly Guernsey). Guernsey's World War I Army dog tag is located in the artifact collection.

0.42 linear ft. (1 document box)

Iowa State University, Parks Library