Francis And World War I
10/03/07 11:37
In early 1917,
the United States declared war on Germany. In the
first months of the American participation in
World War I, enthusiasm was strong but volunteer
enlistment into the army was modest.
Consequently, a draft was instituted to bring in
the needed number of men. On three designated
registration days in 1917 and 1918, approximately
24-million civilian men born between 1872 and
1900 provided information for draft registration
cards. More than 80% of these civilians received
exemptions or deferrals, and they were thus never
called for military service.
In early 1917,
the United States declared war on Germany. In the
first months of the American participation in
World War I, enthusiasm was strong but volunteer
enlistment into the army was modest.
Consequently, a draft was instituted to bring in
the needed number of men. On three designated
registration days in 1917 and 1918, approximately
24-million civilian men born between 1872 and
1900 provided information for draft registration
cards. More than 80% of these civilians received
exemptions or deferrals, and they were thus never
called for military service.
Francis' Draft card was #98 issued in Kane County.
In “Reminiscences of Frant & Annie Esplin”, Francis talks about his patriotism and trying to decide whether to enlist or be drafted:
“This was 1917. We were at war with Germany. My hopes for College were remote and relegated to the distant futuer with the hopes of a Mission. The important decision was, should I enlist or wait to be drafted. In this I took the course of least resistance and also the one which seemed necessary as father had to have an operation and it seemed impossible for him to get sufficient help to care for his land and sheep. Of course, we were advised and urged to raise all the meat, wool and farm produce possible so there were some reasons for some of us doing what we wished most to do -- stay near home and our loved ones.”
He decided he would take his chances and sign up for the draft. Unfortunately, Francis was one of the 20% who actually went to war. In Francis’ words:
“I figured it all out rationally and as free from sentiment as possible that I would treat Annie just as a good friend and that, when I went into the service (as I was sure I would), she would be free from promises or obligations of any kind to me. In view of the events of the next six months, I can only say I did not have sufficient support to maintain me in my weak resolve.”
Francis did marry Annie before leaving for the war, which is another (quite humorous) story, but we’ll continue on with the war narrative for now.
“In company with Lawrence, Charles Allen and other friends and acquaintances, I left for Camp Lewis, Washington, May 26, 1918.”
Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to Camp Kearney, near San Diego. The narrative continues.
“After about three weeks in Camp Kearney, we were shipped to New York by Pullman cars. We took a devious course, to avoid the danger of sabotage, we were told. At any rate, the trip to a camp on Long Island took just one week and two hours.
Early in July we were on the Atlanta, an English ship, on a European trip. For sixteen days we moved with the masses, we could not go any other direction, ate hard boild eggs, mutton stew and soggy rolled oat mush with seventeen water to one milk. Wue who were we to complain. All of our expenses were paid.
The water was calm all the time, so most of us were able to eat something each day.”
Francis’ complete account of his World War I experiences can be found in “Reminiscences of Frant & Annie Esplin 1968” Pages 16-18.
He was paid $30.00 per month. He sent $15.00 per month home to Annie and the government matched this amount, so she got $30.00 per month. She was able to buy liberty bonds as well as supply her needs with this amount. Frant spent $6.60 per month on a $10,000 life insurance policy and was able to live quite well on the remaining $8.4 per month.
Since he knew how to run a typewriter, by November, he became the company clerk, got a field promotion to Sergeant-Major, and got to eat the leftovers from the officer’s mess.
Glenna was also born in November of that year, while he was still overseas. Francis’ narrative continues:
“Early in November I received word of the birth on October 4 of our daughter, Glenna. After that I received one more letter telling how the people were dying with Influenza, which caused great concern, As I had seen and heard somewhat of the ravages of that disease in England and France. After receipt of this letter in early December, I received no word from home until I arrived in Salt Lake the last of April. I cannot imagine what went wrong as I remained in this camp until the latter part of January, but Annie received all of her letters back, as well as a deluge from me.. . .”
“I could have negotiated to leave Paris, but was afraid it would delay my leaving for home, so just stayed and pulled all the ropes I could. On Washington’s birthday we were on the English Channel in a wild storm. I really enjoyed it on the deck, climbing up a mast to let the waves go over the deck without washing me overboard, until the remaining few of us on deck were ordered below and the hatches battened down. There everyone was sick and it was an indescribable mess.”
“. . . In accordance with military regulations, having been a Sergeant Major only in a casual company, I was discharged as a Private First class with my regular outfit, the 145th Field Artillery, at Ft. D.A. Russell, Wyoming. Rank meant nothing to me for since I had left home I had been honored with the rank of “Father” and was anxious to get home and assume the duties incident to this high commission.”
Francis' Draft card was #98 issued in Kane County.
In “Reminiscences of Frant & Annie Esplin”, Francis talks about his patriotism and trying to decide whether to enlist or be drafted:
“This was 1917. We were at war with Germany. My hopes for College were remote and relegated to the distant futuer with the hopes of a Mission. The important decision was, should I enlist or wait to be drafted. In this I took the course of least resistance and also the one which seemed necessary as father had to have an operation and it seemed impossible for him to get sufficient help to care for his land and sheep. Of course, we were advised and urged to raise all the meat, wool and farm produce possible so there were some reasons for some of us doing what we wished most to do -- stay near home and our loved ones.”
He decided he would take his chances and sign up for the draft. Unfortunately, Francis was one of the 20% who actually went to war. In Francis’ words:
“I figured it all out rationally and as free from sentiment as possible that I would treat Annie just as a good friend and that, when I went into the service (as I was sure I would), she would be free from promises or obligations of any kind to me. In view of the events of the next six months, I can only say I did not have sufficient support to maintain me in my weak resolve.”
Francis did marry Annie before leaving for the war, which is another (quite humorous) story, but we’ll continue on with the war narrative for now.
“In company with Lawrence, Charles Allen and other friends and acquaintances, I left for Camp Lewis, Washington, May 26, 1918.”
Shortly afterwards, he was transferred to Camp Kearney, near San Diego. The narrative continues.
“After about three weeks in Camp Kearney, we were shipped to New York by Pullman cars. We took a devious course, to avoid the danger of sabotage, we were told. At any rate, the trip to a camp on Long Island took just one week and two hours.
Early in July we were on the Atlanta, an English ship, on a European trip. For sixteen days we moved with the masses, we could not go any other direction, ate hard boild eggs, mutton stew and soggy rolled oat mush with seventeen water to one milk. Wue who were we to complain. All of our expenses were paid.
The water was calm all the time, so most of us were able to eat something each day.”
Francis’ complete account of his World War I experiences can be found in “Reminiscences of Frant & Annie Esplin 1968” Pages 16-18.
He was paid $30.00 per month. He sent $15.00 per month home to Annie and the government matched this amount, so she got $30.00 per month. She was able to buy liberty bonds as well as supply her needs with this amount. Frant spent $6.60 per month on a $10,000 life insurance policy and was able to live quite well on the remaining $8.4 per month.
Since he knew how to run a typewriter, by November, he became the company clerk, got a field promotion to Sergeant-Major, and got to eat the leftovers from the officer’s mess.
Glenna was also born in November of that year, while he was still overseas. Francis’ narrative continues:
“Early in November I received word of the birth on October 4 of our daughter, Glenna. After that I received one more letter telling how the people were dying with Influenza, which caused great concern, As I had seen and heard somewhat of the ravages of that disease in England and France. After receipt of this letter in early December, I received no word from home until I arrived in Salt Lake the last of April. I cannot imagine what went wrong as I remained in this camp until the latter part of January, but Annie received all of her letters back, as well as a deluge from me.. . .”
“I could have negotiated to leave Paris, but was afraid it would delay my leaving for home, so just stayed and pulled all the ropes I could. On Washington’s birthday we were on the English Channel in a wild storm. I really enjoyed it on the deck, climbing up a mast to let the waves go over the deck without washing me overboard, until the remaining few of us on deck were ordered below and the hatches battened down. There everyone was sick and it was an indescribable mess.”
“. . . In accordance with military regulations, having been a Sergeant Major only in a casual company, I was discharged as a Private First class with my regular outfit, the 145th Field Artillery, at Ft. D.A. Russell, Wyoming. Rank meant nothing to me for since I had left home I had been honored with the rank of “Father” and was anxious to get home and assume the duties incident to this high commission.”