Thomas W. Messenger Papers

Collection

Identifier: MsC0453

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Scope and Contents

The Thomas W. Messenger papers consist of seventy-five letters written by Messenger to his parents and family between 1917 and 1919. There is also a 1923 letter mentioning him. These items are arranged chronologically.

Dates

Creation: 1917-1923
Creation: Majority of material found within 1917-1919

Creator

Messenger, Thomas W. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Biographical / Historical

Thomas William Messenger (1898 -- 1948) of Washington county, Iowa, served as a corporal in various machine gun battalions during World War I. Enlisting in April, 1917, Messenger was shipped from Iowa to Camp Cody, New Mexico. He started with Co. A, 125 Machine Gun Battalion, but was quickly transferred to Co. D, 126 Machine Gun Battalion. Messenger spent over a year in New Mexico before being shipped to France, by way of Fort Dix, New Jersey. In France he served with Co. B, 111 Machine Gun Battalion. He was bitterly disappointed to have missed seeing action by only a few days. His unit arrived just as the armistice was declared.

Extent

1.00 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

World War I soldier. Letters written by Messenger during his service in W.W.I. He was a corporal in Co.B, 111 Machine Gun Battery in France, after the armistice was declared.