Ervin Earl Putnam's World War I Diary-December 1918

• Sunday December 1st, 1918:
• On pass to Verdun again. Some time coming back on engine.
• Tuesday December 3rd, 1918:
• Received orders to go to Bazorilles
• Wednesday December 4th, 1918:
• Leaft Evac. H. no. 9 at 8-30 on truck for Bar-le-Duc. Took train for Toul a 1 A.M.

• Thursday December 5th, 1918:
• Arrived at Neufchateau stopped all night at the "Y" slept on chairs. No blankets.

• Friday December 6th, 1918:
• Met Lawrence Russelll in town Parade of Algerian march under Arch De Triumph
• Saturday December 7th, 1918:
• Went down to Bazoilles for a stay

• Sunday December 8th, 1918:
• Feeding with Base #60.  Good eats and a swell place to sleep. Matress, pillow + sheets. Some class for any life.
• Thursday December 12th, 1918:
• Looking at the fine officers Nothing else to do.
• Friday December 13th, 1918:
• Tried to corner the candy market but did not have quite enough francs
• Saturday December 14th, 1918:
• Made another raid on the chocolate line.
• Sunday December 15th, 1918:
• Received orders to go to Paris. Leaft Neufchateau at 4-44 p.m.
• Monday December 16th, 1918:
• Traveled all night by way of Bar-le-Duc + Chateau Theiuz. Got in Paris at 8-30 a.m.

• Tuesday December 17th, 1918:
• Saw P.Wilson + wondered around all day. Met Wood at the "y" got directions from him so will leave for the shop to-day. Outside Maillott Gate.
• Wednesday December 18th, 1918: 
• Nothing doing all day. Reported at Repair shop. Went down to Palais de Glace to see some boxing
• Good bouts.

X-Ray Repair Shop, Paris, France-1918

• Friday December 20th, 1918:
• Nothing doing as usual. Came near signing the Pay roll but missed out.

"French Camion" Paris, France

• Saturday December 21st, 1918:
• Down to Palais De Glaci Took a trip around city.

English Camion, Paris

• Sunday December 22nd, 1918:
• Stayed home all day  Rainy as usual. Saw P. Wilson at Neuilfy Hospital
• Monday December 23rd, 1918:
• Took in boxing at the Palais de Glaci in the evening. Fine boute 
• Tuesday December 24th, 1918:
• Half day holiday Rainy as the deuce. Stayed in. In charge of quarters in the evening.
• Bed Check: 



U.S. "Portable Outfit" Paris France

• Edwards
• Put. Colton
• Put. Dovast
• Put. Millar
• Sgt. Ryuson
• Sgt. Turns
• Put. Johnson
• Put. Harris
• Put. McSweeney
• Put. McDermot

• Wednesday December 25th, 1918:
• Had dinner at the hospital. Supper at "Gare St. Lazare".

• Thursday December 26th, 1918:
• Had half day off went down to Boul Des Italiens to Art Galerie. Some place.

• Friday December 27th, 1918:
• Rainy as the duece half holiday stayed in quarters.
• Saturday December 28th, 1918:
• Down to the Invalids and Napoleans tomb. To Champs Elysies Theartre in evening.

• Sunday December 29th, 1918:
• Cummings phophesies that we'll be home in six weeks. S-O-M-E ------.

X-Ray Camions Paris Dec. 1918

Ervin Earl Putnam's World War I Diary-November 1918

• Sunday November 3rd, 1918:
• In Verdun again. Still shooting the place up.

• Thursday November 7th, 1918:
• Peace rumors start. Envoys from Germany over to Foc H.
• Friday November 8th, 1918:
• Given till Monday noon to sign terms.
• Sunday November 10th, 1918:
• German plane flies over camp with lights on.
• Monday November 11th, 1918:
• Armistice signed with Germany. Hostilities cease at 11-a.m.
• Tuesday November 12th, 1918:
• Cold + clear
• Wednesday November 13th, 1918:
• Great Weather, finish since Sept. Moved X-Ray Room to operating room. Shipped one machine to the 42nd Div. Germany.
• Thursday November 14th, 1918:
• Fixed up new room everything going fine. One patient today.
• Friday November 15th, 1918:
• Put up stove. Best room in the operating Building.
• Saturday November 16th, 1918:
• Commissary opened bought up chocolate + candy + cigarettes
• Sunday November 17th, 1918:
• Nothing unusual.
• Monday November 18th, 1918:
• Put in another stock of candy.
• Tuesday November 19th, 1918:
• Wash day.
• Wednesday November 20th, 1918: Verdum, France
• On pass to Verdum had a great time.
• Thursday November 21st, 1918: Triacourt, France and Bar le Duc, France
• Went to Triacourt + Bar le Duc on the truck.

• Friday November 22nd, 1918:
• New boarder comes to the tent making 4.
• Saturday November 23rd, 1918:
• Bill went to Verdun. Some walk. Caught train at Beausel.
• Sunday November 24th, 1918:
• Fathers Day wrote home nothing unusual happening

Had a few more names listed at the end of the month.

Bradly L. Thompson

24 Terry Ave. W. Detroit

Lew Townley

Ann Arbour Mich.

So, this month represents the end of the war. I find it interesting that he noted that the cease fire would occur at 11 am. Now that I read this the 11th hour or the 11th day of the 11th month has a bit more meaning.

Ervin Earl Putnam's World War I Diary-October 1918

• Tuesday October 1st, 1918:
• Bringing wounded in off the front. Some bunch.
• Wednesday October 2nd, 1918:
• Loafed all day. Called out at 10 p.m.
• Thursday October 3rd, 1918:
• Arrived at E.H. No. 9 at Taubecaut 11-30 p.m. Worst dump yet.

I haven't been able to locate Taubecaut, but suspect it is somewhere between Souilly and Verdun.

• Friday October 4th, 1918:
• Shaged stretchers all night. Continue 4 all night tonight.
• Saturday. October 5th, 1918:
• Another drive started. Patients coming in fast.
• Sunday October 6th, 1918:
• Doing x-Ray worked at last. Nothing doing. Helped load an ambulance train.
• Monday October 7th, 1918:
• In Danbeciut. In first time all shot up by the Huns. Not win a "Y" at this H.

Cannot locate this city either, once again suspect it is around Souilly.

• Tuesday October 8th, 1918: Sorilly, France
• Took a trip to Sorilly by truck.

• Wednesday October 9th, 1918:
• Nothing doing in the pay line. All the towns have been knocked to pieces by shells.
• Thursday October 10th, 1918:
• Still working nights. Fair. Busy as hell
• Friday October 11th, 1918:
• Still so. Rain
• Saturday October 12th, 1918:
• Busy as usual. Rain. Nothing doing.
• Sunday October 13th, 1918:
• Drive still continues in the Aigonne.

• Monday October 14th, 1918:
• Busy night + day. Rain.
• Tuesday October 15th, 1918:
• Paid today. 371 francs. Rain.
• Wednesday October 16th, 1918: Vaubrecourt
• In to Vaubrecourt. Rain

I'm not convinced of this location, it could be Vaubecout.

• Monday October 21st, 1918:
• Y.M. Opened up. Bought cigarettes + some jam.
• Tuesday October 22nd, 1918: Verdun, France
• Up to Verdun, five shells landed while there. Some place. Vaubecourt

Section of trench, North of Verdun-1918

Downed Biplane, Verdun, France

Downed Biplane, Verdun, France

• Wednesday October 23rd, 1918:
• Air raid last night. Knocked the windows out of X-Ray Room. Getting close.
• Thursday October 24th, 1918:
• Nothing doing

At the end of the month, Ervin referenced some postcards labeled views of Brest from the Thompson Illustragraph Co. Petersburg, VA.

• #7127 Camp View
• 7175 Camp Port Brest
• 7132 Napolens Barraks
• 7172 Brest Harbor

He also had another address: Roy C. Parker, Dallas Txas. 1915-1917 Commerse St. c/o Dallas Oakland Sales Co.

Ervin Earl Putnam's World War 1 Diary-September 1918

• Sunday September 1st, 1918:
• Nothing doing first fair meal for an age.  Another bunch picked out. Leave tomorrow.
• Monday September 2nd, 1918: Labor Day
• Lecture in the A.M. half holiday.
• Tuesday September 3rd, 1918:
• Cleaned up the streets of Thesis France. some job

• Wednesday September 4th, 1918:
• Lecture and drill. Bunk with Jim Martin
• Thursday September 5th, 1918:
• Same as usual. "Corned Willie" for 3 meals.
• Friday September 6th, 1918:
• Rain, bunk fatigue all day. First rain since arriving in France.  Corned Willie for 3 meals
• Saturday September 7th, 1918:
• Still raining. Army holiday. all the time Corned Willie for 3 meals and we are still alive.
• Sunday September 8th, 1918:
• And still the rain keeps up. Corned Horse again for 3 meals.
• Monday September 9th, 1918:
• Lecture and drill. Rain a little in p.m. The horse again appears.
• Tuesday September 10th, 1918:
• Raining, no reveille.  Water under and over everything.  Nearly up to the top of my tick. Red Horse as usual.
• Wednesday September 11th, 1918:
• Still raining no reveille. Corned mush + syrup for breakfast. No lecture. Red Horse for dinner + Supper.
• Thursday September 12th, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Friday September 13th, 1918:
• Detail work
• Saturday September 14th, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Sunday September 15th, 1918:
• Leaft camp at 6 p.m. For Bazoiller Sur Meuse (Voyer)
• Monday September 16th, 1918: Langres, France
• Still traveling, change cars at Langres at 4-41 p.m.

• Tuesday September 17th, 1918:
• From Langres to Bazoilles Sur Meuse. Arrived at 8-30 A.M.

• Wednesday September 18th, 1918:
• Started in at school this a.m. Lecture in L'Aster Engine.

Hospital Center A.P.O. 731, Bazoilles Sur Meuse, France 1918-1919
Bases Num 42, 81, 18, 46

• Thursday September 19th, 1918:
• Continued to-day. No excitement.
• Friday September 20th, 1918:
• Air raid on Neufchateau last night no damage.
• Saturday September 21st, 1918:
• Half Holiday Nothing doing
• Sunday September 22nd, 1918: Neufchateau, France
• Walked to Neufchateau. Best town yet. Two planes collide + burn on the Hill.

• Monday September 23rd, 1918:
• Getting time to move again. Work hurried up so we will be ready.
• Tuesday September 24th, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Wednesday September 25th, 1918:
• First reveille + exercises since leaving Thesee
• Thursday September 26th, 1918:
• Old bunch from Army Med. school arrive in camp.
• Friday September 27th, 1918:
• Changed barracks. Much better quarters. Signed the payroll.
• Saturday September 28th, 1918:
• Inspection. First mess by ourselves. Have my doubts as to the outcome.
• Sunday September 29th, 1918:
• Left for Souilly at 6-15 A.M. for re-assignment, missed train wait till 5-43 p.m. At Neufchateau. Had a great feed at Red Cross Hut.  Free
• Monday September 30th, 1918: Souilly, France
• Some Trip. Arrived at Souilly 12-30 p.m.

So, Ervin moved across France this month.  The thing that caught my attention the most was his complaints about Corned Willie, Corned Horse, Horse, and Red Horse. I believe all of this is the same dish, that represents a common complaint of World War I soldiers.  Funny thing is I love Corned Beef! Check out this Corned Willie Recipe i found.

Ervin Earl Putnam's World War I diary-August 1918

August has Ervin leave the U.S.  for France!

• Friday August 2nd, 1918:
• Left Camp Merritt at 5-30 a.m. Arrived at Alpine Landing Ferry 9-30. boarded transport at 12:00

• Saturday August 3rd, 1918:
• Fair. No land in sight. convoyed by two destroyers.
• Sunday August 4th, 1918:
• Reveille 6-00 A.M. Fair + Warm
• No-one sick yet. Destroyers leave us
• Monday August 5th, 1918:
• Fair + Warm
• Some sick, but otherwise everything o.k.
• Tuesday August 6th, 1918:
• Fair + Warm
• Same old story nothing doing
• Wednesday August 7th, 1918:
• Raining a little. Stayed below all day.  Entered danger zone.
• Thursday August 8th, 1918:
• Some rough. Most of the fellows are coming to it. Man overboard. Lost.
• Friday August 9th, 1918:
• No excitement
• Saturday August 10th, 1918:
• Picked up destroyers 6 A.M.  
• Landed at 3-30 p.m.

• Sunday August 11th, 1918: BREST, FRANCE
• Slept in "Pup" tents to-night. First night in France. Brest, France
• Monday August 12th, 1918:
• hiked down to Barracks in morning.
• Tuesday August 13th, 1918:
• Portaninzin Barracks Some place + bunks.
• Wednesday August 14th, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Thursday August 15th, 1918:
• Brest France Went to town with detail same time.
• Friday August 16th, 1918:
• Played ball + tennis
• Saturday August 17th, 1918:
• Played tennis
• Sunday August 18th, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Monday August 19th, 1918:
• Tennis
• Tuesday August 20th, 1918:
• Tennis
• Wednesday August 21st, 1918:
• Ball game lost 8-1
• Thursday August 22nd, 1918:
• Getting ready to move. Out on detail
• Friday August 23rd, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Saturday August 24th, 1918:
• Packing up for moving
• Sunday August 25th, 1918:
• Leaft Pontanenzen Barracks 5 o'clock.  Arrived at Brest 6:00 A.M. deMyers. Took train for St. Aigan.
• Monday August 26th, 1918: St. Aignon De Novers, France
• Riding all day.  Arrived at St. Aignon De Novers at 10 o'clock p.m. Billeted in a Farm House.

• Tuesday August 27th, 1918:
• Up at five packed and ready to leave. Classified and Hiked out to the camp 6 miles.
• Wednesday August 28th, 1918:
• Tin Derbyshire and gas masks issued. Instruction in gas in A.M. Drill in the afternoon.
• Thursday August 29th, 1918:
• Lectures in A.M. Drill all the afternoon Two fellows leave. Byrd and Atkinson.
• Friday August 30th, 1918:
• Seven more leave. Hartman, Houssler, Hain, Cummings, Groff, Matheis, Myers.
• Saturday August 31st, 1918:
• No drill to-day. Three more men go. Writ, Whycoff, and Norris.

Some things to note in this. The trip seems to have taken about nine days. Interesting that he noted entering the danger zone on August 7th. I assume this was where the Germans were know to patrol. On August 8th they seem to have lost someone overboard.

The map below will appear in the rest of the posts on this diary. It shows the route Ervin took.

Ervin Earl Putnam's World War I diary July 1918

As I said in the last post my grandfather didn't seem to enter any information for May and June and overwrote the dates with July of 1919. He did list some names at the beginning of May but I don't know if they are related to his time in Washington or France. I have listed them here.

W.J. Martin

99 Rockland St., Swanpscott Mass.

W.A. Dittmar

123 Wayne St., Jersey City N.J.

E.D. Armstrong

Athens New York

Joseph H. Baborsky

New York

Wittkoop D.

Bay City

2019-4th Ave. Mich.

Owen Harold

Detroit

282 Magnolia St. Mich

Now we will start reporting on July 1918.

• Tuesday July 2nd, 1918:
• Started Boarding at 222 3rd St. at night.

• Wednesday July 3rd, 1918:
• Paid till the 20th of July 18 da.
• Tuesday July 9th, 1918:
• Paid today
• $34-12 Room + pay
• Birthday Last time
• Wednesday July 10th, 1918:
• Received overseas outfit, list on last page

I'm inserting the list here for reference: 1/2 shelter tent, Blue Denims, Fatigue Cap, 3 pr. socks, 3 pr. shoes + Leggins Lace, 1 pr. Leggins, 1 pr. Leather Gloves, 1 O.D. Blouse, 1 F.A. Packet. Canteen, 1 F.A. Belt + Axe Mess Kit, 1 Haversack, and 1 F.A. Pouch.

Army Medical School Class, July 10th, 1918

• Thursday July 11th, 1918:
• Rec'd certificate of proficiency from Army Med. School
• Friday July 12th, 1918:
• Board Bill Due pd.
• Sunday July 14th, 1918:
• Nothing to do but drill from now on till our orders come in
• Monday July 15th, 1918:
• Drill and show in the afternoon
• Tuesday July 16th, 1918:
• The Same as usual
• Wednesday July 17th, 1918:
• Took in Garitty Theatre for 1
• Thursday July 18th, 1918:
• Laid around all day.
• Friday July 19th, 1918:
• Nothing doing
• Saturday July 20th, 1918:
• All day off.
• Sunday July 21st, 1918:
• Reported at school at 9:00 a.m. no orders as yet. warm as the deuce.
• Monday July 22nd, 1918:
• Orders to leave for parts unknown.  Everybody happy.
• Tuesday July 23rd, 1918:
• Got our ration money + room allowance $43.00
• Wednesday July 24th, 1918:
• Leaft Washington 9:00 a.m.  Arrived at Camp Merritt N.J. Same day

• Thursday July 25th, 1918:
• July Replacement
• Friday July 26th, 1918:
• Draft Med. Corps. Overseas Casuals Camp Merritt N.J.
• Sunday July 28th, 1918:
• Sergt. Paul Lord
• Calais, Maine
• July Replacement
• Monday July 29th, 1918:
• Med. Corps Washington D.C.
• Overseas Casuals
• Tuesday July 30th, 1918:
• A.E.F. France

The next post will cover August 1918 and Ervin's trip to France.

Ervin Earl Putnam's World War I diary April 1918

Ervin started to take notes on his X-Ray training in his diary at the end of March into April. I have tried to include them but left the dates out as they seemed irrelevant.

• 140 v. a.c. Idle
• 117 V. a.c. Load
• Gives 5 M.A.
• For Flouriscopic
• For pictures
• 160 v. a.c. Idle
• 117 v. a.c. Loaded
• Gives 10. M.A.
• Distance 20”
• Exposure formula
• If two bodies are in the same plane they have the same shadow traverse. Conversely.
• Triangular Methode
• Tube shift 10 c.m.
• Traverse shadow is opposite direction
• Localizating
• 10 base is to other
• 2 base as anodal tube
• Distance miners x is to x

• Strolls Method
• 1. Determine vertical ray. 2. Determaine anode-plate distance which should be 60 c.m. 3. Place plate on table and place marker at place where vertical ray passes. 4. Make setting to be 10 c.m. Tube shift.
• Place patient so foreign body will not lie in plane of tube shift.
• With indicator in position place central ray over marker.
• Expose
• Move tube 5 c.m. to left and mark skin. Move to

• Saturday April 20th, 1918:
• Received orders to go to Army Med. at Washington, D.C. at 11-30. Leaft on 7:30 train.
• Sunday April 21st, 1918:
• Reported to school at 12-30.  Then wandered around city.  British aviator flies around monument.

• Monday April 21st, 1918:
• First class 9- to 1030 Drilled on capitol grounds till 12. Reported back at 1
• Tuesday April 23rd, 1918:
• Chart of wiring + Chart of Rheostate Buttons.  Finished
• Wednesday April 24th, 1918:
• Organized ball team first practice.
• Thursday April 25th, 1918:
• Plan of dark room finished.  Ruth laws gave exhibitium
• Friday April 26th, 1918:
• Liberty Day. 50,000 people in parade.
• Saturday April 27th, 1918:
• First quiz and ball game in afternoon.
• Sunday April 28th, 1918:
• Went to monument and the National Museum.
• Col. Lee Loops the loop again

• C Hearts Compass right 10 c.m. and mark skin
• Explore in this position
• Make exposures in both places on the same plate.

The transcription I have seems to skill May, 1918 so I will pick up with July in the next post on this.

The Northampton flood of 1936

In March of 1936 Northampton and the surrounding towns where hit with a massive flood.  Both sets of my grandparents where there at the time.  My grandfather Putnam took picture of the flood so I thought I would post them.