Biography
Royle Raymond Stafford was born on January 14, 1897 in Altoona, Kansas. His father C.A. Stafford was a successful businessman owning a fruit ranch in Washington, and Stafford’s Dry Goods & Grocery Store in Altoona, which he had established in 1888. In 1915, he and his friend Merill Gerkin would travel to San Francisco to as members of the Student’s Military Encampment. From San Francisco they would travel to Portland, Oregon by ship. In the September of 1916 he would travel to Oregon to attend Oregon Agricultural College. In May of 1917 he would be at his father’s fruit ranch near Granger, Washington. In July of 1917 he would join the National Guard in Washington. He enlisted on June 27, 1917. In the war he served Co G of the 161st Infantry. He was discharged on July 23, 1919.
After returning from the service he resided in Washington at his father’s fruit ranch. He married Marjorie Moffitt of Nevada, Missouri on July 27, 1920 in Seattle, Washington. As a child Marjorie had resided in Altoona prior to her family moving to Missouri. They would have one child, Shirley, who would sadly die in at the age of 33. In 1925 Royle would go into business with his father in Stafford’s Dry Goods & Grocery. He would buy the grocery part of the business from his father in 1931. In 1971 Royle would sell Stafford’s Dry Goods & Grocery which had been in the family for 83 years. He died on March 13, 1974 in Neodesha Kansas.
Letters
Letter 1
Sunday night, Jan 27, 1918
My dear Mrs. Moffitt
I was mighty glad to receive your card & to know you remember & think of me.
My Christmas wasn’t the best one I ever had, but of course, I never expected a good one this year. – The packages from home are just beginning to arrive, but they are just as welcome even if they are a month late.
We had a pretty nice in the states, & for a while, we were all pretty blue, but now we are getting more acclimated to this country & do not mind it near as much. The French people are pretty nice to us, especially if they have something to sell & it’s right after payday suppose that Marjorie told you about Harry Mc transferring before we sailed. He is back in San Antonio, Texas. -I sure hated to see him leave for we were almost like brothers. –
I am not sorry that I came across where I was crazy to come & see what it was like over here, & I wouldn’t be contented until I came. I hope it won’t be long now until we come back for. I sure am anxious to see you all again.
Very sincerely yours
Royle. –
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Letter 2
Feb. 12 1918
My dearest “Mother”:
I’m going to start a letter to you, although I am pretty, sleepy & tired & I’m going to turn in pretty quick. I received your letter dated Jan 6 today containing the news of the little Sister: oh, how I would love to see her, my little niece. I guess Chester’s nose will be broken pretty badly isn’t it. What does he think of her.- I’ll bet the grandfather is sure crazy over his granddaughter isn’t he. I hope Marion is getting along fine. I suppose Charles can’t get I have to feed him, can he?
Also found a dollar bill in the letter & was mighty glad to get it. Many kisses for it. The fellows around here are crazy over them & when I want to cash one in French money, I ask who wants an American dollar bill direct from good old USA & I can get six francs for it while it is really only 5.70 francs value.
Do you normally see a franc is equivalent to 20 cents but the value has depreciated to 18 cents & We get 5.70 to the dollar.
I haven’t been able so far the cash the $10 money order. If I don’t I’ll send it back. I have plenty of money at present time anyway. –
I want daddy to forward $3.50 in money order to Harry Mc & take it out of my account. Haven’t I got about $10 in the bank. I’ll probably collect some more money for Harry later on but can’t get it now. This is about the only way I can get money in Harry’s hands. You can’t register censored mail. By the way, your mail to me isn’t censored.
I do. Hope you heard from me soon after you sent that last letter. I know it must be pretty hard on you more so than it possibly could be on me. I am not bothered about myself except for your sake. We were paid tonight I got 106.55 francs are about $18.00 I pay $6.50 insurance & $15 for liberty bonds.
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Letter 3
A.E.F. in France
Wed P.M. Feb 27, 18
My Own little Sweetheart:
I just received another letter from you, which was dated 13 Jan. Altho I received one last week dated the 23rd of course it can’t be helped & there is no use complaining for. I’m so glad to get a letter from you even if they do come in reverse order.
Just how did you know when my birthday was when I didn’t tell you? Now you gotta tell me the exact date of your birth, so I’ll know as much about you as you do, of me. That was sure a good one about Madge more and getting married. It would seem rather funny being married & going to school altho “I’ve heard tell of such things.” Extend her my congratulations anyway although she must have do a crumb from your description. Marjorie I don’t know what I do without you. It’s funny isn’t it how a girl way over there in US means so much to a soldier in France. For the last three years & especially the last year, you have been part of my life. I don’t think it will be many more months until I’ll be with you. This conflict is going to seize one of these days & then I’m coming home to you. Whatever will happen then isn’t causing me any worry but I’m dreaming & looking forward to the time the time, when I can hold you in my arms & define any man in the world it take you from me.
But possibly some king, Lieutenant will beat me home & make chances four. I’m here soldier like me pretty petit? But if he starts from France, he will have to go some, you bet!
Some more mail is coming in tonite & I’m expecting to pull another letter from you.
Later.
I sure got one, it was dated February 4th & you were suffering from the effects of a “shot” in the arm. I hope your arm didn’t get as sore as mine was from some of the shots they give us. We got quite a few of them before leaving the states & they aren’t anything to be laughed at are they? Sorry that Edith had such a hard time over it. I hope she recovered soon. You sure are a dandy little girl to have to write so often to me, & and such nice sweet, long letters. You can’t imagine how much I appreciate them & love you for it.
It is about 9 o’clock & some of our musicians are giving us some music.
I am glad you went to that play & enjoyed it. All I got to say about that young gentleman that took you is that he sure is one “lucky devil” i.e. in one way & in another I don’t believe he is. Compre vous? (don’t laugh at that French, but I don’t pretend to parlay Francaise yet. That started in raining & I can hear it patter on the roof. I’m on the top bunk, & not very far from the ceiling, I mean roof.
All right sweetest one I’ll try & take care of myself if you say so. It doesn’t do me any good to get sick anyway, for the doctor gives me the once over & says “Duty” & gives me a few pills. So I’m going to fool them & not go to him anymore. I’ll wait till I get home & maybe you will take care of me, what? But really, little girl I am feeling fine & have no more cold & as tough as barbwire entanglement, so don’t worry over my health. It isn’t a very good idea to get sick over here anyway. I’m going to bid thee a good night for it is about time for lights out. I am forever your devoted love,
Royle
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Letter 4
Sunday Night April 17, 1918
In this evening’s mail there were two letters the sweetest letters from the bestest girl in all the world & I simply couldn’t go to bed without first answering them. I wrote you a few days ago so you will probably get the two letters together. The ones I received what Mar 1 and Mar 25 which is pretty good time. Since we are not allowed second class mail now I expect we will get better first class mail service. I’ve been having a watch & fountain pen coming to me ever since December & as yet it hasn’t arrived. I fear if it starts over now it will be sent back. Isn’t that just my luck tho? You say that between the 9th& 27th of February that you do not hear from me. Now I am absolutely positive that I wrote several times between those dates & it is therefore evident that the fault lies with Uncle Sam. I can realize dearest one what a suspense it must be to be over there & not know whether I’m alive or not, when you do not hear from me for a long period of time & I know it is much harder for you than it is for me. But always keep in mind that out of 100 men over here 93 will be sure to return that what Sec. Baker says, & I reckon he is a pretty smart guy don’t you? As for me no you mustn’t worry particle for I am a victim of circumstances which compel me to serve my country anyway which I didn’t unless for that we will stay here & train soldiers on their way to the trenches. They think that will be pretty nice but I’ll bet it will get awfully monotonous as I’ve heard other men who have been doing that say it was.
We are certainly having nice weather here. It does get pretty warm tho in the afternoons. Harley seems possible that it is the Fourth of July. Quite a few our bedding pretty heavily that War will be over by four. I hardly think so, do you? You can never tell with Germany will want to do before next winter comes on tho. Are you sure one piece but do not like to give in. I think more of the French people every day. You can tell the difference in them in the different parts of the country. A French Lieutenant gave us a lecture the other day & he was sure interesting. Then at the YMCA last night some French entertainers gave a concert. One lady saying, another played the piano. A man played the violin & another homme what is a magician & pulled some slight of hand stuff. They were all splendid. The lady that sang gave us an American song only she said it in French.
It sure takes these Frenchman a long time to make tea. They cut it with a scythe & rake it up by hand. That isn’t the way we are going to farm is it.
Three little kids are having a discussion near me. They sure are a lot of children in this country. Every town I’ve been in it’s just swarmed by them.
With lots of love to my own little sweetheart
yours forever
Royle
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Letter 5
April 26 1918
Dearest:
You said you would like to have some more postals so here you are. I’m also sending another Stars & Stripes. We are all crazy over this paper as it has all the doings of AEF in it. The editor is Kappa Sig. I sent you a letter yesterday so I expect all this will pile up on you at once & you’ll think it’s Christmas or something.
There are certainly lots of soldiers going thru here homeward bound. Almost every train going thru is a troop train crammed full of soldiers. A large bunch of casuals left this morning for the states. I’ll be glad when everybody else goes home so I can. It looks like those that were first over here are last to leave.
Well darling mine there is absolutely nothing to write about & if I keep on expressing my sentiments the sensor my think I’m trying to pull something over on him.
Your loving soldat.
Royle
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Letter 6
April 1918 (envelope post-marked 4/10, letter dated 1917 likely should be April 1918)
My Darling girl:
I received the sweetest loveliest letter from you the other day & I have been waiting to answer it ever since but just found time. I might be glad if my letters give you any enjoyment, althou I don’t see how they could be very interesting. I was certainly tickled over the little Kodak, you sent, & of course, my girl was the sweetest of the whole bunch. That young fellow on the end must have some wonderful times with such fine looking maidens. Edith’s hat is certainly becoming to him -? I hope you never talk down with any of those diseases. I was exposed to about everything agoing & and haven’t taken anything yet, so I guess there is no chance for me to go to the hospital. It has been trying to rain all day & it seems to be a contest between the sun & the clouds. I hope it doesn’t do more raining as I just hung out my blankets.-
We have been having quite a bit of rain the last few days & it doesn’t seem to want to quit. Believe me Marj I’m sure you’re going to claim all of those kisses &, I know I have no greater happiness that I have ever experience then the time when I can come to you, to my own little sweetheart.
Later
I had to quit riding the other day & haven’t been able to finish this until this afternoon. It’s a shame to treat you like this after getting such a nice letter, but you would understand why if you could have been here.
We are still having our nice rainy spell &, and it doesn’t seem to want to quit. I suppose the the weather isn’t ideal in the states tho at this time of year. It isn’t a much different climate over here than it is in Kansas. I received a letter from Dick Johnson the other day, and he says he enlisted in the aviation & I presume he will become a cadet like Mike is.- I have always kick myself for not trying for the aviation joining this. I heard that it was full up, though & didn’t even investigate. Afterwards, I found out how easy I could have gotten in, but it was too late as it is hard for an enlisted man to get in another branch of service. If I had any sense I should have gone on down to the Presidio this spring & Receive a commission, but as I lack that required amount of “sense” I suppose I don’t deserve to be anything but an ordinary “dough boy” anyway. If I thought the Germans were going to “stick” with it so long, I might have not been in such a hurry. I sure would like to have gone in with Dick as one time we talked about in listing together so we could be with each other. It seems as tho it were destined for me to be separated from those dearest to me doesn’t it sweetest one. But, believe me, if I outlive this war I sure am going back to my little girl.
I was mighty glad to get Edith’s little note. Tell her she has gotta quit kidding me or I might get sore I’m just as sensitive, you know. ??
Beacoup baisers
Votre amant
Royle
It’s a sensor doesn’t Comprendre Français he’s liable to rub that out.
R.S.
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Letter 7
Corp Royle R Stafford
Co “C” 161 U.S. Inf
May 15, 1918
Dearest girl:-
Would you believe it? They have me here in the camp hospital I reported to sick call the other morning on account of a little sore throat & headache, & to my greatest surprise. I landed over here. It has been a regular little vacation tho for iPad, I find old rest.- we have iron carts with real springs & a regular pillow. They bring our meals to us, & and all I have to do is to live sleep, eat & read. However, I will get out tomorrow & I have my clothes on this afternoon.
We are real close to the Y.M.C.A. & that is where the band practices. That gives us music all morning part of the afternoon, & sometimes in the evenings when they give a concert.-
I suppose you will soon be home now, and enjoying a little rest.-I would give anything if I could visit you a while. I told Leo in a letter I wrote him the other day that I would rather have a few days home then have $1000 presented to me.- It’s just that much that I long to see you & be with you a while. I don’t mean that I want to quit the army for I’ll be with it with all that’s in me as long as there is anything to lick over here.
I’m sorry you don’t receive my mail more often. Mother also complains of not hearing from me enough do you know little sweetheart that I write you every week & this is the second time I’ve written you this week. We can only send one mail out a week so you should hear from me at least that often. Besides, there is so little that we can write. That would sound interesting to you. Some fellows send a lot of imaginary stuff, home & make some real interesting letters. Do you want me to do that. I have read some letters that have been printed over there, & they certainly are amusing, but absolutely facetious. You can hardly blame them, though, for you people in the states are forever, asking us to write something real interesting & if a fellow can do that truthfully without getting himself court-martialed then I’d like to see him do it.
Well, I came over here to the “Y” to finish this letter. It wasn’t very convenient to write on a cot. They have a swell building here, in fact, there are several buildings & tens all around here. They certainly do a wonderful work & make it so much nicer for us fellows.- some fellows like to crap about the YMCA & say that they are getting rich off of us, fellows, &, and that they would do more good if they were in the army. It sure makes me sore to hear them talk like that & I’ve had some pretty hot arguments with some of them, but there is no use talking to a guy like that. I’ll be out of the hospital tomorrow & Then I don’t know where I’ll go. I have a feeling that I’ll see some excitement soon. You mustn’t worry about me dearest, for if God wills it, I’ll be back to you & I don’t think it will be many more months. One thing I can help to be thankful for is that on account of the little time that we were ever associated together it won’t be so hard on you if something did happen. Don’t think that I think you won’t suffer any because I know you would, & and for that reason I’m going to come back. But it would go harder if we had been married now wouldn’t it?
Well, I guess I better be going back to my ward. I don’t know the rules & regulations about patients leaving, but it’s immaterial whether they let me stay there or not so I should worry.- There are some real sick fellows in there & it doesn’t appeal to my sense of humor to hear their moans & occasionally a few upheavals.
It’s a splendid afternoon, just slightly cloudy, so that it isn’t too hot & a nice little breeze, the fan you. I can look out on a big sloping hill, all green, with grass & spotted with clumps of bushes & trees. The main highway runs across my view, & automobiles trucks, & motorcycles are hurrying back & forth.
The Frenchman is almost stunned by the speed & recklessness of our drivers, but it is just the American spirit over here, to get there & and do it quickly.- They say it is taking quite a while for us to get into the fight but when we do we are going in to win & the reason it is taking so long is that we are fixing it so we can’t help but win, so if the “Jerries” wants to keep on fighting, they might as well make up their minds that they will be crushed. –
Well, that is enough this time. Are you sure & load your next letter with some pictures, won’t you? Your lover for life
Royle
Later – just received your letter of 21 April – Congratulations on your successes. – You’re a little wonder
RRS
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Letter 8
May 23 1918
Dear Little Sweetheart:
Well I got kicked out of the hospital the other day & I am feeling fine now. I had a nice little rest & and they go fine this hot weather. I wonder if you’re having it hot as we are. The sun sure does shine down & I am rapidly becoming a Negro in appearance.
I suppose by this time you are at home enjoying a little rest yourself. Do you start in that little pharmacy business illegible? It all to be a pleasant job and present I hope you’ll like it. I suppose you will stay with your uncles.
I am going to leave this camp pretty quick & we are busy packing up this morning. I just told mother that I’ve given up all hopes of going to the front & see any action so all that is between me & home is the length of the war.
However I know absolutely nothing of what is before me so I just take oh whatever comes & say not a word. I was talking to a French officer who speaks English & he said when the war was over that I had to stay over here & my sweetheart should come over & we would be married. Then I would work for the French government and reconstruction work & earn lots of money etc.
Does that sound good to you? It’s a cinch that I wouldn’t stay here a minute if you were not here so if you won’t come I’m afraid his suggestion will not go very far. I think by the time war is over I’ll have all the work done in France that I’ll ever care to & it will be fin travier for me.
This is certainly a beautiful country this time of the year. There are many small streams running thru it & they are all just like our mountain streams clear as a crystal. I saw quite a few trout in a little river the other day & gave me the “fishen” fever. I’ll try & write some more to this letter.
your sweetheart
Royle
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Letter 9
May 26 1918
Sunday Afternoon:
Dearest Girl:
Here I am in our new location many miles from the place I wrote the other part of this letter. We had quite a little trip sort of hobo fashion using box cars (French) for Pullmans. It was crowded when we stood up & when we slept it was about three deep. We reached here about suppertime yesterday & had supper about bedtime. I like our new place fine. They gave us our mail on the train & I drew four letters one of them from you. It was written May 4 the latest of them all. I’ve given up all hopes of getting those pictures & doubt if I’ll ever get a chance to go to the place where I had them taken.
It is a nice bright afternoon just right for a car ride. Want to take one? All right, I’ll be around in about 15 min, I mean months. You’re probably in Ottawa by this time, but guess I’ll have to send this to Nevada as I don’t have your address there.
I think we are going to have a little rain tonite. Last night was so crowded that I took my straw tick & blankets & slept outside. It’s like camping I’ll just sleep under canvas again. We have been in wooden barracks all winter now. I received a letter written by Mattie Thorn about 10 feet long. it was written on paper from & she wrote on both sides. While I was reading it & slowly understanding it several fellows around me opened their eyes & said some letter! & it sure was. Didn’t you say you were going to send some pictures? Don’t forget. With lots of love Yours Royle
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Letter 10
June 1 1918
Saturday P.M.
Dearest little girl
I am off duty this p.m. & thought I would bombard you a while so hunt cover. This is a hot afternoon but there is a little cool breeze blowing which makes it a little better. Do you know what I’m doing nowadays. I guess Mr. Censor won’t mind if I tell you as it is nothing but guard duty & a soft job it is too compared to what I’ve been doing. I’m on six hours & off for the rest of the day isn’t that fine. Of course they aren’t particular what hours they give you & it might be from 12 to 6 in the morning as well as not. That is the “graveyard shift” & well named. I always Hass to knock would when ever I get a soft job as we don’t know what is coming next. I don’t think I’ll ever have to go thru the first six months experience again tho & I’m surely glad of it for I came over here to soldier & not to be a section hand.
I suppose you are at Ottawa now. You will probably have it pretty nice there, won’t you? Lots of friends to entertain you & take you out. I have all the fun you can, sweetheart, for I don’t begrudge you a bit of it.
Leo gets a furlough this summer sometime. He says he can hardly wait until that time comes. They take a cruise first tho which all to be a nice experience. He said he wished they would run across some U-boats so they could help partake in the war.
I have decided not to go home this summer (good reason ?) It is so inconvenient, you see!
I see a fellow sitting next to me referring to a French book as he writes. I’ll bet his folks back home sure think their boy is picking that French language up quick. I got me a pretty good grammar the other day & have started studying it. Whether I get any further than that, only time can tell.
I wish I could tell you about this camp. It certainly is a wonderful place & you are probably right a great deal about it. Les Baker gave a big write up about it when he was over there. It sure takes a lot of preparation over here for such a large army that is coming but believe me we are going to have it. How will I know, he’s five months over here I’m seeing a wonderful change going from nothing to a gigantic system. From now on it will be easier going we have something rouleover here now to meet every difficulty.
If Mike could only be in France a while I am quite sure she would be contented to stay in the states & instruct others. Of course I know how he yells now. He wants to come just to have that experience, same with me I am over here now but back of the lines. I’m crazy to go to the front to see what it is like & I don’t expect I would care to stay very long after I was once up there.
We run across a great deal of foreigners while on duty. Today we had to search some of them & on one “chink” I found a long ugly looking knife. It was sharp as a razor too. We put him under arrest as concealed weapons are against the rules around here.
Well dearest it is almost messed time & guess I better do you wandering towards camp. I am at the YMCA building now. Please send me some pictures won’t you? I really need them, honest I do.
With lots of hugs & kisses
Your loving soldier
Royle
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Letter 11
July 4 1918
Mon Bien Aimee
What is the “Glorious Fourth” & even we have a holiday on account of it. However the only way I celebrated it is by sleeping & reading. The way most of the boys did was to get on a drunk but I didn’t fall for that.
It is just 6:15 in the evening & I’ve had supper. I brot my writing material out here by the side of the road under a big tree & facing the hayfield which has just been cut. A mademoiselle & a Madame just passed driving some white goats. I heard them say “un letter a le Mademoiselle Amercain, ou la! la!” “Fiance’?” “Oui” says I.
The women here at work just as hard as men i.e. what’s left of them (men). It isn’t an uncommon sight to see girls & women fetching hay out in the fields. They work as soon as against light & quit about 9 o’clock in the evening. They usually go to supper about the time we go to bed. Aren’t you glad you are not a Mlle Francais? I am.
I received a letter from you dated May 28th. It was delayed for some reason or other. I’m so glad you like the work you are doing & I hope you will continue to like it.
I received a letter from one of the fellows who used to be in my squad. He had been in the front line trenches for 6 days. He said that altho they were in a quiet sector the Boche gave them quite an exciting time one night shelling them with their artillery.
We are getting some good training here & I like it fine. We went out on the rifle range yesterday & I made a pretty good score. I think it was the highest one made but I guess I was lucky. Bombing practice is pretty exciting too as you got to watch pretty close to what you are doing. I can hardly help but wishing that they would send us up to the front. I probably would like to be sent back tout de suite after I get up there tho. The other fellows think… Rest of letter is missing.
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Letter 12
July 25 1918
My Darling:
It is near dix heur but nevertheless I am not sleepy & will talk with you a little. I moved in my bill it the other day & I am the sole occupant now. I expect some men and any time tho & wouldn’t be surprised if some didn’t come in tomorrow. It is rather lonely up here all by yourself when I’ve been used to having so many around but one nice thing about it there isn’t a continual going on especially when you are beaucoup tired & want to sleep. I never saw a bunch that wanted to argue so much after going to bed as a bunch of noncoms that I was quartered with before getting assigned to this place. I will be the commander in chief here & whenever a bunch moves in believe me we are going to have peace when taps blows are there will be trouble one of the two. But of course there won’t be any of the ladder for you. I’ve never had any trouble yet with a bunch of files that I’ve been over & Manny since joining the army. I’ve had a lot to do with men & you know a corporal comes in closer relation with his men than any other non-com our officer in the army. He has to bear the same hardships they do yet enforce the orders lay down by the superior officers. We have to know each man & learn how to handle him. It’s the best position to study human nature that there is, & I also get a lot of benefit from it. It has been quite a while since my old squad left now. They were sent up to the front but so far I guess they are safe.
It has rained nearly all day long & this morning we had bombing practice. It is quite interesting & even though we got a little wet I didn’t mind it.
How many grenades is it near as bad as I used to think it would be. Of course you’ve got to watch what you are doing just like you do in firing fire crackers. We have been very fortunate so far & no one has gotten careless.
An officer just moved in a room below today. I think he just came across, as he couldn’t make the lady understand anything, so he had me come down & tell her what he wanted. I happen to be able to say I make her understand what he wanted so relieved the situation.
What do you think of the allies now. We sure are giving the Germans HNH these days i.e. the fellows up at the front are & will be back here are just waiting our chance to get in like in a football game. We are the scrubs sitting on the bench waiting to replace someone on the team & rooting to be the devil. I received a letter from sister Marion today & she had enclose some pictures of Chester & Richard also of herself & Chester. I’m anxious to get the ones you are sending.
Well sweetest one I do believe I am getting sleepy. It’s a good night to sleep as it is chilly & the Wind is howling outside. You are probably roasting back there in Kansas just now. (Don’t mistake that word it is ROAST)
O by the way I want you to understand one thing which is this “that the reconstruction work I mentioned doesn’t appeal to me in the least not even if I would get $1000 a month. When the order comes to go home I won’t stop until I have you all in my arms, see?
Good night my Sweetheart
With all my love
Royle
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Letter 13
July 31, 1918
Dearest girl
It is a beautiful evening & the sun is just going down. The days are beginning to get shorter & it won’t be long until we will be going around in the dark at 8 o’clock. I suppose they will make it’s an hour later that we arise in the morning then.
I was just up in one of the billets were some of our musicians we’re playing. Two violins a guitar & a mandolin & they certainly make swell music.
I’ve been looking for your next letter with the pictures but it hasn’t come yet.
One of the fellows who went up to the front from our company was here this evening. He got gassed but it’s all right now & will soon go back to his company. He brought us some news of the fellows who left us, some of it was pretty sad tho. One of the best liked of the fellows in company was killed. It makes two that we know of. It sure brings home to us that we are not in a Sunday school picnic & the fellows don’t say much but I know they are keeping tract of the number of Germans who will have to pay for it. It is hard for us to have to stay here & there isn’t a man in our company who would be willing to be reduced in order to go to the front lines. We will get our chance one of these days tho maybe not soon but I am sure of getting up there. The Americans are going to win this war & it will take every body to do it for it is a big job. They tell us that we are more value here than up there & there are a lot of people in the states who can serve their country better at home than over here. Takes cooperation of the whole nation just the same as teamwork is needed in a platoon.
I received a letter from Harry Mc today. He is still in England although I don’t know what he can be doing unless he is in school. He said he went up with a pilot the other day & enjoyed the trip fine. Every time I see an airplane I feel like I’ve missed my calling. How is Miles getting along? There are lots of kids around this neighborhood. I got out & played with them the other night & qualified and jumping the rope. School finished for them today & they are extra hilarious. It starts again in October. I guess the idea is so that every child who is able to walk must help in the harvest. They are harvesting the grain now & are getting ready for the grapes. The vineyards are sure pretty & the vines are all loaded with grapes. I received a letter from my cousin who is in the cavalry over here. He was a sergeant but got “broke” for some reason. He has been over here about 2 months & from his letter he sure is anxious for the war to finish. Well my loved one I must ride to mother now so Bon Suar.
Devotedly yours
Royle
Xx there are two for you in advance for I can’t wait.
RS
Sat Morning
I just got thru of standing two inspections & now have an hour before dinner so will add a little to the letter I wrote the other night. We had our regular inspection & done after we were dismissed & got back to Arabella’s we were notified the fallen again tont suit and the colonel locked us over this time. He seem to be pleased with us alright.
I have quite a place up here now. I found an old table & a bench & now I can write letters appear very conveniently. The lieut below was kind enough to let me use his mattress roll as he sleeps on a French bed. I had nothing but a straw chick with very little straw in it so the addition was certainly appreciated. He just came across recently & became assigned to our company. He seems to be a mighty nice fellow & treats me fine.
Where is that place that you are going to teach this winter. I might start have to find it one of these days. Is it on the map? Is there any objection to an ordinary soldier coming there for if there is I’ll come around. What are you going to be doing during Xmas vacation Marj. Can’t we Frame up a little party or some thing? I’ll write you & you write me & and we will have some party won’t we, just you & me. If it wasn’t for just one little thing we would have the best time in the world, if only the war would finish. No I’m not quite goofy yet Marj, but when I do get back I might not be responsible – see?
With a big kiss
Your
Royle
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Letter 14
Aug 17 1918
My Dear Mrs. Moffitt:
I was mighty glad to get those “few lines” you sent with Marjorie’s letter. She tells me that you underwent an operation recently & I do hope by this time you are recovering nicely.
Yes I am still plugging away back in the lines & it’s a pretty hard place to stay when we read of so much excitement at the front. I don’t see why they don’t let the fellows that have already been up there come back here & give us a chance.
We rarely have any excitement here except when we go out bombing or on the rifle range & even that is getting tame by now.
This is quite a farming country around here & they are beginning to harvest. They cut their green with a scythe but managed to get it thrashed by a thrashing machine.
In about 2 or 3 weeks they will commence picking grapes & That is their main crop. The vines are just loaded with grapes & it sure is a pretty sight. If they passed a Prohibition law in France I think everybody would die for they just live on wine over here. It is sour too & I don’t like it very much.
The Madame who owns this house runs her little farm all by herself. She works like a Trojan so she has quite a garden to take care of. Her husband has been at the front for three years. All the women around here work with the men i.e. what is left of them. Yesterday evening I saw a woman & a man walking by, he was driving a mule it’s to a two wheel cart & she was walking beside him with a great big scythe on her shoulder, they were going home from work.
I think I understand why Margy took the school instead of keeping her position at Ottawa. She wants to tell somebody else what to do instead of having someone tell her. I know when I am in charge of a bunch of men I take a great deal more interest in what we are doing then when I am working under some one.
I expect it is pretty hot back in Kansas & Missouri all right but I don’t believe it has France beat very much. We have fairly cool nights tho.
Leo gets to go home in September & he sure will enjoy it too far he got a little homesick while out at sea. I don’t blame him much so I know how monotonous the big wide ocean is after you are on it several weeks. I don’t think it will be much longer till I get a trip home & stay. At least it can’t last a year longer & I think we can make the Germans sick of their job a long time before then. It will take an awful effort on the part of the allies but we are fixed to do it better than ever before.
Get my hardiest regards to Mr. Moffitt. Hoping this finds you in good health, I am
Very Sincerely
Royle
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Letter 15
Aug 31 1918
Dearest Mudge:
just what do you think happened about an hour ago? I received five letters all the same time & 2 were from you. Also got one from you yesterday. One of them I received today had a picture in it – just as sweet. Are you sure have got the nicest girl there is to write to me so often & I am afraid I don’t deserve her. Things have been undergoing a change for us the last few days. We made another move & landed in a regular town. It is an ancient college town & sure has some wonderful old buildings in it. This YMCA where I am writing is in one of the buildings. Sort of a large crude Auditorium & makes a splendid place for the “Y”.
They had a little entertainment here last night put on by the soldiers. One of the characters they introduced as a swell French singer. She was all dolled up in the latest & sang a perfect soprano for a soldat Americain. I sure was glad to hear that you received my letter is at last. What is it really seven weeks? I do hope sure was glad to hear that you received my letter is at last. What is it really seven weeks? I do hope it won’t take so long anymore for during these times I expect you rather wonder how I am getting along. We just don’t know for sure what will be done with us but it is pretty certain that we will have to stay here for sometime probably indefinitely. That’s what I get for being a corporal. If I were a private I would have some pretty interesting experience to write about by this time.
I’m glad you’re getting that little vacation that you so well deserved. Just wait until I get mine, then I’ll bet we all have a good time, don’t you?
The band is practicing downstairs. I am up in the reading & writing rooms. It is playing a real live peace now. We still have our regimental band with us & it sure is a dandy. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if our regimental number would be changed soon & you will have to remember not to put 161 when it does. But it hasn’t happened yet.
You wondered if I ever dream about you, well my darling of course I do & I had the sweetest dream the other night. It was the night that we arrived here after a long hike & Azhar barracks bag hadn’t arrived yet, all I had to roll up and was one blanket. But nevertheless I hadn’t been asleep very long until I was home & you & I were looking in each other’s eyes & then the sweetest thing that ever (hasn’t yet) happened to me, happened. You know what it was & someday it won’t be a dream. It would be nice if you would teach school out west providing I was around close where I could come & see you. I just don’t know how I’m going to stay away from you when I get back. We will have to do some beau coup planning won’t we, Dearest.
I am mighty glad to hear that your mother is all right again & feeling fine. I suppose when this letter reaches you, you’ll be at your school, with a stern face & a serious mind. I’d sure like to see you ripping it into a bunch of noisy kids. There are a lot of soldiers here, just over from the states & the Ross kind of recruits. I expect you & I will have about the same kind of a job this winter but a little different in that you won’t teach your pupils how to kill.
Always your lover
Royle
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Letter 16
Co C 161 US Inf
Oct 14 1918
My Dear Mrs. Moffitt:
I’ll have to admit that when I first saw that big letter you sent to me, I was very curious to see the insides of it. I was mighty glad to find out it was a letter from you & those cartoons & clippings were certainly I’m using & interesting & I enjoyed them immensely. Yes I quite agree with Mr. Moffitt that the Kaiser was entirely out of luck in that checker game Friday I’ve been in the same predicament.
I am riding on my bunk by the light of a couple candles. I went over to the YMCA but it was simply packed with soldiers so I grabbed a couple sheets of paper & came back to my billet. The War news yesterday was certainly encouraging & it’s your looks as if there won’t be much more fighting. However it is all talk so far & there doesn’t seem to be any lead up in the military operations. It is just the time to push them all the stronger & I really think that the central powers should be made to apply to Foch for any peace proposals. I expect by the time you receive this letter that something radical should have happened or maybe we will still be fighting it out. No one knows.
I’ve been taking it easy all day as I was on guard last night. I was in charge of a detail to guard the supply building & one of the cooks of the supply company came around in the evening & told me if I would build a fire in the stove at 4 o’clock in the morning he would give me all the hotcakes I could eat. Believe me I would do anything for a “stack” of hot cakes for they aren’t on the menu for us soldiers as a rule so I rolled out at 4 o’clock & built a good hot fire in the stove after seven when he got up he came across with his cakes.
Yes I have that picture of you & Marjorie & I sure think a great deal of it. I don’t know where the Marjorie realizes how much I love to get those pictures she sends me or not but I simply am crazy about them & now I look for one and every letter I get from her. Now that the War is coming to an end I am looking forward to the biggest thing that ever happened to me & that is when I meet the little girl that has been so true to me during this War. That meeting will probably decide the future of two lives. There is so very little that we can say about it until then.
Well I have have a hard day before me tomorrow so I guess I’ll hit the hay. Wishing you & Mr. Moffitt the best of health, I remain very sincerely
Royle.
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Letter 17
Co C 161 Inf Pontlevoy France
November 10, 18
Sunday Soir
Dearest girl o mine:
Guess I better start your letter before supper so I’ll be sure & finish it this evening: just came back from a bomb football game. The score was 42-0 & consequently wasn’t worth seeing. Replay it again yesterday & met with our same old hard luck & lost it 7-0. We’ve been beaten by that same score for three games now & seems like we can pull out of it. Replay some good teams We’ve been beaten by that same score for three games now & seems like we can pull out of it. We played some good teams tho & held them all fairly well.
Tonites paper says the Kaiser has called steaks. It’s about time that “bud” was getting out of it for things are getting as hot inside of Germany as it is on the outside.
Tomorrow will probably bring the news that the armistice has been signed. It will happen sometime this week I’m quite sure. I fear our furloughs have been canceled for lack of transportation, & we are not likely to leave on them as we have been planning. Well such as War & as long as the end is so near I reckon I can live thru it.
I received a mighty sweet letter from you the other day too bad you couldn’t take the trip to Altoona. It will be better anyway when I can be there to show you around the town. I guess I’ve been away almost as long as you have tho so I wouldn’t be able to find my way around either. I understand they have electric lights & everything ?? there now – doesn’t that make you quiver with anticipation.
Well everybody has gone to supper so I think I better try to long after them & manger a little.
Back again. I built a little fire as it is getting beaucoup frost outside. There’s going to be a menstrual show tonight at the YMCA, being put on by the band. It promises to be a pretty good thing so I guess I’ll go & see it. By the way Marj. don’t Forget I’ve got a date with you Xmas. You see I’m not counting on getting back there too much but I’ve heard some thing recently they gave me a strong hunch. Don’t count on it too much tho. If I do come back to the states I’ll probably be station near NY & be kept there for a long time.
Beaucoup love
Royle
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Letter 18
Co C 161 US Inf
Nov 19 1918
My Dearest Girl
Guess where I am now can you? Well I guess you can’t. I am sitting in the lobby of the Grand Hotel de Paranie which is one of the largest & most beautiful hotels on “Emerald Coast” of northern France. Look at the map & where that big bite out of northwestern France you will find a St. Malo which is where I am. Dabney & I were given a room where we can look right out on the rolling surf. The bay is dotted also with many ragged rocky islands & some of them have fourth & light houses on them. It is certainly a beautiful place & as interesting as it is pretty. We arrived here yesterday morning & we’re lucky enough to be brought to this hotel. You know several weeks ago we were promised a furlough & our names went in for passes. But when the time came for them to arrive they didn’t. We were told that the passes were canceled on account of luck But when the time came for them to arrive they didn’t. We were told that the passes were canceled on account of lack of transportation so it was we were all ready to go & had beaucoup francs saved up for the trip. Well we gave it up & I bought several things I wanted & got rid of over half my pile. Then last Saturday just as we came marching in from drill, Dabney (who was in charge of quarters) came running up all excited & said our passes had arrived. We were to started the next morning so we got busy. There were five from our company. The next morning about 5 o’clock I rolled out & I woke Dab & started our final preparations, went down & got breakfast & at 6:30 got on a truck which was to take all the fellows from the Regt over to St. Agnian. It took about 2 hours to gather them up & go over to that city & believe me it was a cold uncomfortable ride. After getting there we found a lot more who were going also & we were all put on a big platform & told to wait there until the train came. After waiting 5 hours the transportation Sergeant March that’s over where we were to board the train. It came along about 30 minutes later & what do you suppose it was Eno locomotive hauling about 30 Gondolas (otherwise fresh coal cars). That meant another open air long cold ride. We pulled into Tours about 5 o’clock & Got on a regular French passenger train. Just trying to hook up to Le Mans where are we had to wait several hours. It was from 11 to 2 in the morning. The station was Mighty jammed with soldiers of every nationality. I even saw some German prisoners. Most of them where are French Russians & Belgians and of course beaucoup Americans. Finally our train came in. It was just a little like our passenger trains having long coaches but they were illegible in small compartments like they all are over here. We went from one end to the other trying to find a seat but they were all taken & people were standing up. So we went clear to the last car which was the first class coach. You see they has 1st, 2nd & 3rd class cars. Privates are supposed to ride third class. Noncoms second class & officers first class. But we got in Amber Sands that up & nobody objected. The last compartment was reserved for trainman & there were room for several more persons in this so I says to Dabney “Lets make Friends with them & maybe they’ll let us in.” It happened to one of them had been in New York & could parlay a little Americain so he stuck a cigarette in his mouth & started talking to him. He fell for us right away & invited us in. Believe me those soft cushion seats sure felt good & it was about 3 o’clock I couldn’t hardly keep I’m going to sleep. One in Frenchman likes you he simply can’t do enough for you & that was the way they were. I took out some kind of bread & ham & made us take some & they brought out a bottle of wine. Either one of us care for it, but they made us take some & we did. I want to sleep then to sleep then & we were pulling in Rennes we had about 15 minutes there so the trainmen took us to a café & ordered some hot coffee. Believe me it sure was fun as the night was very cold. Then they took us to the track where our train was waiting. I doubt if we could have found it soon enough if they hadn’t showed us as a train pulled out just after we got aboard. We found seats this time in a second class coach which was just about as comfortable as the other. We arrive st St. Mats about 7:30 AM. Here we had to get checked off a register & assigned to a hotel and as there were several hundred getting off there we had to stay there several hours. Finally an MP contacted us to our hotels. We cleaned up & at midi had luncheon. They certainly feed you enough & it is the best they can get too. We have first class service here & are treated the same as if we were wealthy guests. There are no calls, can go to bed when we like & get up when we like. We can ring the bell for the waiter to bring our breakfast up to our rooms & we can eat it in bed. Dab & I were even too lazy to do yes this morning & we slept until 1130 & then got up for dinner – I mean luncheon. Dinner is served at 7 PM & it sure is a swell meal. There are several swell casinos around here & the YMCA has taken them over & give shows & dances in them. We went to vaudeville last night & it certainly was good. As we came back we took the Avenue along the surf. The moon was shining over the water & the tide was just going out. The highway drop straight down about 5 feet on the open side & hotels were on the other side. It was a wonderful walk & I would have given anything if you could have been with me there. Well darling we are going to a concert at the YMCA so will continue this volume later.
I started this Tuesday & since then I’ve been on the go every minute from the time I get up (which isn’t very early I’ll admit) until late at night. It is Friday morning & had breakfast an hour ago & in another hour I’ll have luncheon.
Wednesday evening Dabney & I went with a bunch out to a famous Château where an old Baroness resides. She was born in America & married a General Charat & I guess she soon acquire the title of Barron. Maybe you’ve read some thing about him. He has a son living who is there. Tomorrow we are going out to Mont St. Micheal which is a very interesting place & after I come back I’ll tell you all about it. We are certainly having lovely weather here. Just cold enough to make you want to keep moving & feel good. The sun has shines every day & we took a roll of pictures yesterday. Won’t have them until Saturday or Sunday. I don’t know whether they will be any good or not as my vest pocket has been knocked around so much that it is almost fini. We can only buy one film at a time & then have to take it to the place we bought it to get it printed & that is over in We can only buy one film at a time & then have to take it to the place we bought it to get it printed & that is over in Dinard,
Quite a ways from here. The reason I haven’t sent you my pictures is because it is almost impossible to get films heightened even in a resort like this where there are lots of Kodak’s you cant hardly buy any.
We leave here next Tuesday & I’m going to try & go back by way of Paris although I don’t know whether I can yet for sure. As I’m almost broke now I don’t suppose there will be much use in going there. I think we will be sent home real soon as our division is not among those designated to stay.
Will write again when I get the pictures.
Lots of love
Royle
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Letter 19
Dec 14 1918
Saturday Afternoon
My Darling girl:
You certainly did give me a pleasant little surprise the other day when you sent me the photograph of you without ever saying anything about it until it arrived. It certainly is a sweet little smiling picture & I look at it so much the fellows in here like the kid me about it but when they do they say they don’t blame me a bit. Do you know Marj that that smile of yours gives me an inspiration every time I look at it. When I’m all in or worried a little I look at you & he seem to sympathize with me & make me smile back at you.
I wonder if you have received a package that was in New York for you. I can’t understand why they would charge any duty on it for I’m sure the express charges covered all that at least I thought so Marj. I want you to tell me just exactly how much it was & whether it arrived in good shape or not. I had another to send you but after receiving your letter I’m going to send something else so don’t look for the present I said I was sending you in the last letter.
Tell your mother that there is no danger of me ever getting hurt in anything not even football for I never got a scratch i.e. a bad one in any of the games I played in. My chum got his shoulder blade busted & is just recovering from it. You know I almost ended the fellows I see going around with a crush or or with an arm and a sling. I always figured on getting wounded or hurt while over here until the war ended and then of course I gave up hopes. I guess it’s because I never get anything I plan on I’ve been so I never plan ahead anymore except on things I don’t want. I guess it’s because I never get anything I plan on I’ve been so I never plan ahead anymore except on things I don’t want. Maybe you think that is funny but ever since I’ve been in the army it has been that way without any exception.
I received a lovely card from your mother the other day. Also a card from my aunt Mabel – do you remember her? She is a YMCA worker & is getting a years furlough down at Pasadena Calif. Pretty soft for her don’t you think.
It’s too bad you don’t get an Xmas vacation this year. I’ll bet he will be glad to go to Ottawa Jan 1 wont you. It’s too bad the old lady had to act that way because you were leaving. I wonder if she thinks you are to stay there for her benefit. She had better lay off of my girl or I’ll look her up when I get back. Of course it will be too bad for you to leave Myrtle but that’s the way it goes Marj. When you find a friend that you like real well something comes up that separates you.
Haven’t had any news about us leaving yet. We sent a bunch of men away the other day who are supposed to go to the front but we heard they went to the coast. There is a rumor that we won’t be here as long as some people say we will. But I’m not planning on anything as I said before.
With lots of love
Royle
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Letter 20
Dec 17 1918
Tuesday Evening
My darling girl:
Well my package really arrived & of course the pipe that you sent was in a safe & sound. It certainly is a dandy one & I can’t thank you enough for it. It sure was lovely of you to send me such a nice one Marjorie.
Mothers and several nice things, a flashlight, knife, someone handkerchiefs some Hershey bars & cookies. It was some tree to get that package & I couldn’t hardly wait until I opened it.
It is almost bedtime & about everybody has already turned in. It is sure a beautiful night outside as there is a full moon & not a cloud in the sky. You see it rains nearly all day & then clears up at night. They have just completed a big rifle range here & I am on detail out there now. It is interesting work and I like it.
I expect you will be seeing a good many soldiers who have returned from France by now. By the time I get there this War will be ancient history I expect don’t you.
Later
I didn’t get to finish this the other night as a French kid was up here & he got on my nerves so much that I chased him out & then went to bed. I was on the range all day today & my ears are sure ringing tonite. I didn’t so bad when the weather is nice but when it is rainy & cold which is the way it usually is, there isn’t much fun in it.
Listen Marj here’s a rumor that has been very persistent lately. We are to leave before March & probably we’ll go about January 15. Wont it be great if that is so? You will be at Ottawa when I come home & I’ll probably land at that place as soon as I can get there. I won’t get back in time to start in school again so we’ll hang around somewhere in Kansas for a while & then will probably go out to the ranch for the summer. We might be sent back to merry Washington to be discharged as that is where I am listed but I expect to come ride home anyway whenever we go.
There won’t be very many of the old 161st to go back to the states with us. There are about 10 of us left in our company that used to be in Co C 2nd Washington. None of our old officers, most of the noncoms & all of the privates were sent away to different places. If our company could have only stayed together & got up to the front I know it would have made a good record. We had a dandy bunch of men & they were all pretty good fighters too for most of them made individual records for themselves up at the front.
By the way Marj don’t look for the package I said I was sending you as I haven’t sent it yet. I’m going to wait & see if we are going home real soon or not & if we are Ill apportezit myself.
With lots of love
Royle
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Letter 21
Jan 16 1919
My dearest girl:
I just got through enjoying a band concert while sitting in our comfortable little room. You see Hendy & I were fortunate occupants of a billet right next to the YMCA & Whenever they give a concert we make it a point to be at home & open the windows a little to allow the gentle flow of music enter our midst (wasn’t that sweetly said?)
I received two nice long sweet letters from you yesterday. One of them was illustrated & also conveyed a little feller with a cart loaded with a – we won’t let the sensor in on this – you know.
All I got to say Marge is that he must have gotten rather chilly before he ever got here. But I’m sure proud of what he brought & that’s no kidding either.
Say what would you think of anyone sending you a letter asking if you would mind sending your photograph & 3 American bucks along with it so it wouldn’t cost them anything to put you in a college annual. Well young lady from KSHC was obliging enough to sign her name to a duplicated type written letter and also wasted a perfectly good US three cent stamp in hopes of getting me to bite. If the 1919 Royal Purple is depending on my 16 francs & 50 centimes I’m afraid they’ll go bankrupt. Ill admit I used to be an unsophisticated (comprend?) frosch there & always paid my dues (no value received) but after to going to a real college once I’m afraid I can’t say much for old Kansas Aggie.
Gee Whiz Marj what do you think, the sun shone all day, today & there was hardly a cloud in the sky. It was like a regular spring day back in Kansas ie when the weather is fine you know. They’re rare and far between & as it started in terrain this evening again. I suppose we’ll promenade under a cloudy & leaky sky tomorrow.
Got a letter from Bro Leo the other day. He seems to be stepping into society lately. Said his “latest illegible” was Nadine Knoll who is going to school in Washington. Remember her? She was just a kid when they were our next-door neighbor & now Leo says she has bloomed into a charming young ladywho is going to school in Washington. Remember her? She was just a kid when they were our next-door neighbor & now Leo says she has “bloomed into a charming young lady”
The civilian army is still here ie the 41st Division that is going home. They expect to leave anytime & that concert the band gave tonite was a farewell one. It makes about the sixth I think as for us they are all varieties of rumors to cheer us up. The latest one is that we are to be equipped with air brakes & go to Berlin to stop the revolution!
Excuse me Marj but I forgot to ask you how your cold is. Meant to the first of the letter too. I had a queer feeling when you said you were sick in bed for a right away thought of the flu & when you said it was only a bad cold I was surely relieved. Be very careful Little One for I don’t want you to get down with the influenza.
With all my love
Royle
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Letter 22
Jan 22 1919
My dear little girl:
I just reread the letter I received yesterday from you which you wrote Dec 30th. I’m sorry that you had such an unhappy Christmas day but expect you made up for it a little when you went home didn’t you. It was certainly nice of your aunt to send you that watch. I still have the one mother sent me last Xmas & I wouldn’t take anything for it.
I know you will be much more happier at Ottawa where are you will have a nice home to live in. It sure makes a lot of difference doesn’t it Marj.
Well the 41st Div is due to leave Saturday & I guess it is pretty certain that they leave. I will be glad when they get out as it is hard for me to believe I’m not going with them as long as they are here. I understand that some men out of our organization are to go to Germany next week. I don’t suppose it will be my fortune to be one of them but I sure hope I am. As long as I have to stay over here I want to see as much of the country as I can.
I guess we are in for a little winter ourselves now. Up till the last day or so it has been fairly warm & rainy but now the ground is frozen & the wind blows pretty cold.
That was a nice complement your mother said of me but I’m afraid I am not worthy of it. My mother said she had received your picture & she thought so much of it. Mother said in her last letter that Harry McMurray was home. Isn’t he the luckiest guy tho? I suppose he will get married now & then go out west. He almost got married when he was back at camp Murray & I missed my only chance of being the best man. But they changed their minds about it & decided to wait until after the war. Did you know Zetta Milton the girl Merrill married? I hear that she died not long ago. It sure was sad & mighty sorry for Merrill. Then I heard also that a boy cousin of mine was killed up near Verdun. He & I were about the same age same age & always pretty good chums altho we haven’t seen each other for years. I had received a letter or two from him since he came over & he was pretty homesick & blue.
About all I do now days when I’m not drilling is to read & right. We get books at the YMCA. We have a nice room with a stove in it & every evening 3 or 4 fellows come over to read so it is kind of a club room. I’m afraid we won’t have such a nice place after we leave here.
I will be mighty glad to get those pictures so don’t forget.
Your lover
Royle
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Letter 23
Feb 2 1919
Wed evening
My dearest girl:
I am in quite a different place tonight than I have been for the past few months. Last Saturday morning we packed up & left Pontlevoy & hiked about 20 kilometers to this place. It sure is some burg goes by the name of illegible . Sounds like Chinese but I guess it’s a Frenchtown all right for there is a Catholic Church & a few saloons or cafés here. It is pronounced something like Swan & from the kind of weather we’ve had so far they all be Web footed here. Is there is old & rained all day today making it nice for us to earn our a little old dollar 30. We hike about four or 5 kilos how to the drill Field & at noon a chow wagon brings us out some illegible and coffee. We draw a little longer & then march back to this delightful place of solitude & despair.
I guess I was setting on the world at Pontlevoy for I had a nice billet which could be warmed up & kept comfortable & also had a nice place to sleep. But here, about 15 of us sleep up in a kind of a hayloft with a hole in the side where we climb up a ladder to get in. We have the roof or a ceiling which is made of tile. It keeps the rain out but not the wind. They gave us a stove tho & we hug it when we have anything else to do. Do you want to see us sitting around it in the evenings smoking up & telling stories. I was just up there & came down to the YMCA tent to write you a letter. If you don’t happen to get as many letters as you have been getting don’t be surprised for if it isn’t near as convenient to write as it was & besides I’m liable to be on the move anytime now. I am liable to be called out any time to go someplace. Men are being called every day to be transferred to various places. I suppose I will be the last one called out & then probably get a job back here some where. One of my chums got to go up to the fourth division in Germany the other day. He will probably have to stay over here for quite a while as that is a regular army div. I am still hoping to get home before summer tho. Well dearest I better write a few lines to mother & then breeze back to my abode & illegible.
Lots of love
Royle
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Letter 24
Feb 12 1919
Wed. Evening
My Dearest Girl:
It certainly is grand outside this evening, the moon is full & the air is just right. I would give several months pay just to have you with me this evening so we could enjoy it. It has been real cold up until today & I hope it stays this way a while. What a fellow hast to stay in a cold loft during the time he is an outdoors then he welcomes warm or at least decent weather. It has been several weeks since I’ve had a letter from you or from anyone back home. Guess all the mail addressed to the 41st division is being how old up New York & as fellows that were left over here will half to wait until they all get back & then have it forwarded over here.
It doesn’t seem like that I am going to go to Germany very quick does it. I am sure anxious to go up there are any other place just to get away from here. There is a chance that some of us will not be called & that we will be sent back home. I don’t think it would make me very sore or something like that happened altho there isn’t much chance of it. Some men War takes out today who could speak French to go up to Paris as interpreters. I expect it would be a pretty good job but it will keep them over here quite a while.
I wonder if you like the work you are doing now better than you did teaching. I sure miss your letters Marj, especially when there are several weeks between them. Seems like I could do without having anyone write to me except you & moth especially when there are several weeks between them. Seems like I could do without having anyone write to me except you & mother. Isn’t it funny how you are so much to me when it has been ages since we’ve been together? You are certainly my little dream girl aren’t you. But it’s one dream that I’m going to realize providing someone doesn’t step in & steal you away from me before I ever come back. Do you suppose they will? Today was Lincoln’s Birthday but nothing happens much except that I took a bath. We drilled as usual although we play more than anything else. We’ve got to keep in good condition so we have lots of exercise & games. If they let us go without drilling & etc. there would be more deaths than there were when the War was going on. Some fellows are even too lazy to ride home & the other day there was a general order from GHQ for every man to write home. I guess the War Department was getting swamped with inquiries about parents wanting to know what was the matter with their sons.
Did you ever read ”Seventeen” by Booth Tarkington: I got hold of it the other day & read it thru without stopping. It is about a boy 17 years old falling in love & he sure has a time. It reminded me a little when I was 17. I guess I had a nice little experience then, do you remember? I can hardly believe it has been five years since that summer. Old George Bell Campground one afternoon & says “Say Stafford, get a girl & let’s hire a car & go over to the Chautauqua at Neodesha.” I brightened up tout I suit for he just solve the puzzle I had been working on since the afternoon of the tennis game. So I size up to him & says when you call Faye just ask her if she will bring along little Marjorie Moffett for me. He looks at me kinda hesitatingly & I looked right back to show him I meant what I said & then he stepped to the phone. I sure was nervous for a minute, but when he turned around & said tres bien I sure felt good all over.
Well Dearest it is getting cold in here as I am writing in the YMCA.
With lots of love
Your Royle
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Letter 25
Feb 21 1919
My Darling Mother:
It is just 5 o’clock Friday evening & I’ve had supper almost an hour ago. Sounds funny to you. I expect to think of hearing supper so early doesn’t it. But I remember you always like to have them early so you could “get it over with” & I guess that is the same reason they have in the army. Well Mother I’m getting more unsettled every day. I transferred again yesterday to the 10th company & now we are waiting for orders to go any place we might be assigned to.
There is no one left now with me that was originally in the same company, although several that were in the same regt.
We have men from everywhere. Very few coming from the same place.- I guess I was transferred as a “Specialist” & From what I can gather, I am a specialist because I graduated from high school. All I hope is that they give me something special to do since I seem to be an expert. I think I’ve had all the drilling & hiking I need in this war, don’t you? There are nothing but non-coms, Corporals & Sergeants in the company with a few exceptions. The men that were left in the fifth company I sent the one I transferred out of was made into a guard company & they are to be in
Note- Remainder of letter is missing
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Letter 26
A rainy afternoon
Feb 27 1919
My Darling Girl:
Don’t fail to note my new address which isn’t permanent by no means yeah maybe I will reach me quicker if it comes to this place. I’ll be here probably a month or maybe less & then go someplace as a truck driver, chauffer or motorcyclist. I don’t know what yet. The other day I call for volunteers to go to a motor score came in & I thought it was a pretty good thing so grab onto it. We came over here yesterday which is about 10 kilometers from Contres & This is our first day here. They can handle only a few men at a time so the rest of us have to wait for our turns& This is our first day here. They can handle only a few men at a time so the rest of us have to wait for our turns. The course only lasts about 10 or 15 days I think & it’s oughtnt to be very hard for me to get onto it as I used to drive our car quite a lot & also to take care of it. I hope I can get to go up in Germany & if I do I’ll have a good chance to see a lot of country. I’d rather do something like this than work inside an office as I sure like the open air.
You are to have seen me last night. I was sure 16 soldier. I’ve never been quite so sick since I joined this man’s army. It happened that we got a billet without any bed socks so all we had was our blankets & a hard floor to sleep on. However there was a straw stacked nearby & when it was good & dark we secured ourselves a good arm full & carried it up to the billet where are we spread it out on the floor & then laid our blankets on it. After I lost all my supper which relieved my headache a little high & 2 other fellows crawled beneath our blankets.
Lately I’ve been running around with a couple of fellows from Boston. Seems like I can get along with fellows from New England as they all seem to be mighty fine fellows. There are men from the South, West, East & North and you soon can almost tell what part of the country they come from, especially the men from the South.
There is only one other man from the original Co “C” 161st here & he came about a week before I did. There are several from the old regiment tho & I ran across one from Co “M” last night in the same build with me, we are all non-concierge, mostly sergeants. You see all promotions were stopped sometime ago by a general order. So instead of promoting a private to a rank of driver they have to transfer noncoms from other branches of service & make drivers out of them. It is a slight advancement for ourselves as we get an increase of pay.
No letters yet & I’m sure getting anxious. How am I to know whether my little girl still loves me or not?
We are still getting more of our share of rain. Does it ever rain over there? I don’t see how it does for I think it must all fall on this side of the world.
With lots of kisses I’m is ever your loving soldier
Royle
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Letter 27
March 19 1919
My dear girl:
I am going to start your letter while I’m waiting for mess. As there is always a long line to wait in I usually stay over here at the YMCA until the line has almost all gone in & then I go over.
I received the first letter from you yesterday that I have had for over two months. Believe me if you think I wasn’t glad to see your little old handwriting again. It was the first letter you address to the new outfit I transferred to campers Inn now I hope they won’t be so far between in reaching me. Whether I’ll ever get those you sent to the 41st Div remains to be seen. The company on being demobilize will probably forget us that were left behind & might “lose” our mail.
This is my last day on the motorcycle class I think. I might enter another class in the touring car if possible. It is hard to get in that tho as the demand is not so great.
It sure too bad I can’t be there by Easter isn’t it. It would be great for us to go down to Nevada a while & then mother wants us both at home too so there is surely a good time coming someday. It certainly can’t be many months longer can it dear. If I only had some idea about the time I was to go then I’d feel better but they say I’m fixed now. I don’t know whether it will be 6 months or 2.
Mother Road in the county pound my cousin Maurice Smith was killed. He had just been running messages & was sleeping when his shell hit him. She also told me about Merrills wife & baby dying. She said that she had been keeping such news from me because it might make me despondent. I’m afraid mother doesn’t know me for I’m sure I could stand anything over here as well as I could in the states. It certainly was too bad about Merrills misfortune wasn’t it. I bet you knew about it’s too & was in a conspiracy. Nest ce pas?
I see that the “chow” line is gradually getting smaller & if you’re late you are liable to get beans instead of meat.
Lots of love
Royle
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Letter 28
April 1919
My Darling girl:
I received the sweetest loveliest letter from you the other day & I have been wanting to answer it ever since, but just found time. I might be glad if my letters give you any enjoyment, altho I don’t see how they could be very interesting. I was certainly tickled over the little Kodak you sent, & of course my girl was the sweetest of the whole bunch. Play young fellow on the end must have some wonderful times with such fine looking maidens. Edith’s hat is certainly becoming to him? I hope you never took down with any of those diseases. I was exposed to about everything I’m going & haven’t taken anything yet, so I guess there is no chance for me to go to the hospital. It has been trying to rain all day & it seems to be a contest between the sun & McLeod’s. I hope it doesn’t do any more raining as I just hung out my blankets.-
We have been having quite a bit of rain last few days & it doesn’t seem to want to quit. Believe me Marj I’m sure you’re going to claim all of those kisses & I know I’ve no greater happiness that I have ever experience than the time when I can come to you, to my own little sweetheart.
Later
I had to quit riding the other day & haven’t been able to finish this until this afternoon. It’s a shame to treat you like this after getting such a nice letter, but she would understand why if you could have been here. We are still having our nice, rainy spell & it doesn’t seem to want to quit. I suppose the weather isn’t ideal in the states tho at this time of the year. It isn’t a much different climate over here than it is in Kansas. I received a letter from Dick Johnson the other day & he says he enlisted in the aviation & I presume she will become a cadet like Mike is. -I have always kick myself for not trying for the aviation before joining this periods. I heard that it was full up, tho & didn’t even investigate. Afterwards, I found out how easy I could have gotten ends, but it was too late as it is hard for an enlisted man to get in another branch of service. If I had any sense, I should’ve gone on the school last fall, & then go down to the Presidio, this spring & receive a commission, but as I lack that required amount of “sense”, I suppose I don’t deserve to be anything but an ordinary “Dough boy” any way. If I thought the Germans were going to “stick with it” so long, I might have not been in such a hurry. I sure would like to have gone in with dick as one time we talked about enlisting together so we could be with each other. It seems as though it were destined for me to be separated from those dearest to me doesn’t it sweetest one. But, believe me, if I outlive this war, I sure am going back to my little girl.
I was mighty glad to get Edith’s little note. Tell her she has gotta quit kidding me or I might get sore. I’m just as sensitive, you know??
Beaucoup baisers
Votre Amant
Royle
If the censor doesn’t comprehend Français, he’s liable to rub that out
R.S.
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Letter 29
June 22 19
Sunday Night after Taps
Dear little Sweetheart:
On my way home? Yes & no. I started but now I am at St Nazaire with about 30 or 40 thousand ahead of me. It depends on how many boats it takes for them to get on & if there are any left I might get a chance to sneak a ride.
Are you superstitious? Say yes for tomorrow is the “23” & our “Loot” said we were going to the evacuating camp tomorrow. That helps for they can’t hold us very long there.
What do you think. The “Loot” in charge of our company was the 1st Sgt. of our company when we came across. He just happened to draw this company as he was going home the same time. We went in swimming today but on the mouth of the big Loire River. It is same as a big day for it is about 5 miles across.
I expect it will take a long time for me to get out of the army & it might be that I’ll have to go to Wn state to get my discharge. I’m sure going to try to get it in the east. It won’t be more than a month tho anyway.
Lots of love & kisses
Your returning HERO? Why laugh?
Royle
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