Journal of Leroy D. Barrett
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Leroy's Timeline
The following is a summary of Leroy D. Barrett's journal.
- May 27, 1918
- Enlistment at Memorial Hall in Columbus, Ohio.
- May 28, 1918
- Arrived at Camp Sherman, Ohio for training with 15th Co. 4th TR. BTN. R-33.
- June 27, 1918
- Leroy graduated from Training at 5p.m. (interesting that he began training the day after he enlisted, and that his training lasted only about a month long)
- June 29-August 8, 1918
- Leroy arrived at Camp Joseph Johnston in Jacksonville, Florida.
- August 9-Aug 14, 1918
- Leroy arrived at Camp Stuart in Newport News, Virginia.
- August 14, 1918
- Leroy boarded for overseas on a French ship, named PATRIA. “Food went bad Putrid & Rotten;” “Sleeping accommodations were horrible” “Rats and other rodents aboard;” “Joke on ship which had many laughs;” “The old woman was scrubbing the bar-room floor, he son came in on stilts; she says 'be careful my son don’t slip', the boy says 'no mother never.'"
- August 25, 1918
- “Reached land, Western side of France,” “beautiful night”
- August 26, 1918
- “Began marching, thru old French cities”
- August 27, 1918
- “Drove 5 miles into part of Brest, first glimpse of allied soldiers and wounded men,” “first few nights are becoming harsh, getting colder and served later meals.”
- August 30, 1918
- “Train to depart at 8a.m. to first camps location”
- September 1, 1918
- “Arrived at Chateau-Du-Loir, marched to an old school with auditorium” “sleeping on hay” “took first guard watch for 24hours, 2-on-4 off”
- September 14, 1918
- “Celebrated a Big American Victory”
- September 27, 1918
- “Train to depart Chateau-Du-Loir for Bourboule”
- October 4, 1918
- “Attended first ever military funeral, was part of the firing squad”
- October 8, 1918
- “Train to depart Bourboule for Le Mount Dore” “Only 7km” “Sat with colored man from home (Columbus),” “Great Trip”
- October 9-18, 1918
- “Put in control of bread supply for 83 Hotels,” “On Mt. Dore rationing out bread to soldiers coming in,” “Also cooking for hotels in La Bourboule,” “Put on old “rube” stunt (acting) at the casino also played the piano with it, was a big hit received many compliments.”
- November 1-10, 1918
- “Did a lot of moving around,” “traveling from Mt. Dore to La Bourboule and back again,” “Along with a lot of beautiful hiking expeditions.”
- November 11, 1918
- Leroy received word that “war was ended” and “Everyone emptied their weapons into the sky, cheering and smiling; there were many parades and demonstrations."
- December 25, 1918
- “First Christmas ever away from home,” “Decorations and a few trees are put up around the camp.”
- January 18, 1919
- “Birthday, turned 27”
- January 19-June 15, 1919
- “Traveled to many different locations by train.”
- March 7, 1919
- “received warrant and was made Corporal Q.M. Corps.”
- June 16, 1919
- “Arrived in Paris, checked out the sights and walked around a lot.”
- July 5-11, 1919
- “One year in the Army now,” “became sickly ill and was rushed to the hospital,” “diagnosed with bronchitis,” “spent nearly 1 month in the hospital.”
- August 20, 1919
- “Sailed Home aboard the U.S SS. Harrisburg” “lots of French women who married soldiers and are going back to U.S,” “Better trip back then over”
- August 28th, 1919
- “Arrived in New York at 2:00p.m.” “passed by the Statue of Liberty at 3:30 p.m.” “Boarded train for Camp Merritt at 7:00p.m.” (One of Barrett’s trains between New York and Chicago hit a vehicle that was on the tracks, killing 1 and injuring another)
- September 24, 1919
- Leroy was discharged at 3:00 p.m. he was then on a train to Chicago at 5:00p.m.
- September 25, 1919
- Leroy Arrived in Columbus, Ohio at 11:50 a.m.
- December 17, 1919
- “the Great General Pershing arrived in Columbus, Ohio” “met him at the interuben station” also “saw him in parade” Leroy again saw the general going into the state house, and was able to shake hands and meet him twice.
The Rare Books and Manuscripts Library encourages patrons to examine this collection. If you discover important details or may have information related to this soldier and his company, please note it below:
