World War I Collections

2014-2019 marks the centennial Anniversary of World War I. To commemorate this event the Special Collections and Archives of Wright State University has gathered materials related to World War I from its collections. This series contains many letters, diaries, photographs, and other ephemera from Ohio natives. The creators of these materials give the user a glimpse at the impact of World War I from a unique and individual perspective. Though these materials often record factual data, a closer inspection will often reveal content of a more personal nature.

The World War I Collections include materials from the following series:

Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Photographs (MS-152)

The 91st Observation Squadron Photographs (MS-293)

Palmer Coombs WWI Materials: Diaries and Papers (MS-293)

Fred F. Marshall Papers (MS-53)

World War I Diary (SC-225)

World War I Glass Plate Stereoviews (MS-457)

World War I Letter (SC-30)

War Camp Community Service Song Sheet (SC-174)

For more information on these collections, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives.

For more information about the Centennial Anniversary of World War I please visit The United States World War One Centennial Commission.

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War Camp Community Service Song Sheet

The War Camp Community Service Song Sheet was published by the Dayton Evening Herald to be used during community events. This sheet includes words for 34 songs sung at the event. Songs of note in this collection include "The Star Spangled Banner" and "America," which is also know as "My country, 'tis of thee."
Water canal in Delft

A view of a clocktower from a canal in Delft, Netherlands. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Water canal in Delft

A view of a clocktower from a canal in Delft, Netherlands. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Water flowing over dam

A view of water flowing over a damn.
Waterway and fields

A view of a waterway running along fields with buildings in the distance. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Windmill by a waterway

A view of a watermill near a waterway. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Windmill by waterway

A view of a windmill by a waterway. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Wires in a trench

System of wires in a trench running through a forest. This image is believed to have been taken between 1914 and 1918.
Woman and child

A woman and child standing on the side of a tree-lined road. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Woman on horseback with soldier

A woman sitting on the back of a white horse as a soldier stands in the background. This image was believed to have been taken between 1914-1918.
Letter, Fred F. Marshall to Dearest [Henriette]

Fred F. Marshall

Letter from Fred Marshall to "Dearest" Henriette. In this letter Marshall writes to Henriette about his feelings for her, and hoping that she will remember him if they never meet again. He asks that she not say that they will not meet again and proceeds to recount things that they did together. In the end he defers to her judgement as to what to do with his love for her.

The record Letter, Voutre Freddy [Fred F. Marshall] to [Henriette] is a typed version of this letter in French.
Letter, Fred F. Marshall to Unknown

Fred F. Marshall

A letter written by Fred Marshall, advertising his services for companies that are inadvertently excluded for bids on the purchase of goods. In the letter Marshall offers to help negotiate, supply information regarding procurement activities, and act as a representative to Wright Field and the Air Corps.
Letter, Votre Freddy [Fred F. Marshall] to [Henriette]

Fred F. Marshall

Letter written in French from Fred Marshall to an Henriette.

This is a typed version of the transcribed letter Letter, Fred F. Marshall to Dearest [Henriette] in French. There is also a typed translation available of this version as an additional file.
Man standing in front of a windmill

Fred F. Marshall

A man in a long coat stands near a windmill, looking out at a waterway, in the Netherlands
Unidentified castle

Fred F. Marshall

An unidentified castle or fortress in the Netherlands.
91st Squadron

Men from the 91st Squadron posing for a group photograph.
91st Squadron Banner

The 91st Squadron Banner of a knight chasing a devil.
91st Squadron in front of airplane

The 91st Observation Squadron of the American Expeditionary Force posing for a group photograph in front of an airplane. Note on back "Wash a red cross dog and mascot."
91st Squadron with banner

The 91st Observation Squadron of the American Expeditionary Force posing for a group photograph.
Aerial shot

Aerial view of a river and the land surrounding it.
Aerial shot of hangers and airplanes

Aerial view of hangars and airplanes.
Aerial view of city

Aerial view of a city.
Aerial view of city and right wing

Aerial view of city taken from the right side of an airplane. Part of the right wing of the plane is visible in the shot.
Aerial view of city bridges

Aerial view of city bridges over a river.
Aerial view of field

Aerial view of tents on a field.