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Items associated with name 'Newport News (Va.)'
Clyde Family Letter Collection
by Clyde, Ethel; Clyde, Jane Leslie "Jennie"; Clyde, Leslie M.; Clyde, Robert A. (1916 – 1919)
9 folders (0.1 linear feet)
The Clyde Family Letter Collection documents the lives of Leslie Clyde and Robert A. Clyde as they served in France during the First World War. The letters date from 1916 to 1919 and describe the men's experiences as they trained at Fort Monroe, Virginia and served with the 2nd Trench Mortar Battery, 2nd Division throughout France. Most of the letters were written by Leslie and Robert to their mother, Jane "Jennie" Clyde, and their father, Robert S. Clyde, as well as their younger siblings: Margaret, Alexander "Sander," Jennie, and Marion. While most of the correspondence contains details about daily life, some mention national and worldwide events such as the Spanish influenza epidemic, Daylight Savings Time in the US, prohibition, the Chicago race riot of 1919, unions and the Railroad Brotherhood, and Charlie Chaplin. Some of the letters include racist slurs and sentiments.