(In honor of Veterans Day and the 100th anniversary the armistice ending the Great War I, I publish the WWI diary of Albert J. Ebert. The late Mr. Ebert was my husband’s grandfather and served in France in 1918 and 1919. He enlisted in the navy but found himself in the trenches pulling infantry duty. Just twenty-three years old when he deployed, he writes of being issued a gas mask, going “over the top” in trench warfare, and of being injured in shelling in the fall of 1918. He also writes of his loneliness and missing his sweetheart, Grace Adkins, whom he alternately describes as the “sweetest little girl in the world” and the “hatefullest girl in the world.” She broke up with him briefly in 1919, apparently because she was seeing someone else. However, Albert and Grace eventually married and lived together for more than fifty years.
This document was transcribed by my husband’s niece, Jenny Routson. She has left the original spellings of place names as they were. Ebert was a Missouri farm boy with little formal education. Some sections of the diary were smudged and unreadable. Still, this is a fascinating historical artifact shedding light on U.S. participation in the Great War.)
Albert J. Ebert’s Navy Diary
Date of enlistment: July 11, 1917
Enlisted at: St. Louis
Arrived at Training Camp at: Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Date: Oct 2, 1917
Left Training Camp: Apr 16, 1918
Started for France: May 2, 1918
Enlisted in :1st MO. National Guard Navy 138th Inft.
In case of accident notify: Mrs. Mary Ebert, Lesterville, MO
Addresses of Home Friends:
Grace M. Adkins
Lesterville, MO
Apr 26, 1916: The first time I went with my little Girl.
Account of Battles Engaged in:
My first battle engaged in was Thurs morn July 11, 1918, on the Alkac Losane sector in the Vasges mts. The front that the French have held for four years near the Rhine River, Hibsinfirst Sector.
1 Real Battle starting Sep 26
We went over the top at 5:30 AM we had a four hr. Barrage before going over, we advanced about 12 Kilos the first day we lost pretty heavy the first day we captured 6000 prisoners on the Verdun Front.
Argonna Sector, The first town we captured was the town of Scheppa, with the assistance of the tanks.
Casualties, July 11, 1918:
Pvt. Kapplin, killed, Pvt. Tim Morarity, in action, Pvt. Shoemaker, Pvt. Hartwell, Pvt. Beard, Pvt. Pinkle, Corp. Bates, Lieut. 1st Bilsborrow, Pvt. Astridahl.
Of Battle of Verdun Sep 26, 1918:
Sgt. Slevins, killed, Corp. Cochran, Corp. Wethingtho, mechanic, Corp. Krengel, Corp. Key, Floyd, Corp. Key, Austin. Flemming, Frank, Cook.
Superior Officers of first battle:
Capt. C.J. Sadermen, 1st Lieut. Bilsborrow, killed , 2nd Lieut. Ray back to U.S. 2nd Lieut. Leniton, personel board, 1st Lieut. Williams, transferred, Capt. C.J. Saderma
Diary Pages:
“Please fill this up with what’s on your mind the most at the close of the day. Feb 26, 1918” – Grace Adkins
2/26/1918 Will soon be 23. Didn’t get a furlough. Guess it’s best tho: for manners sake I’d had to went to see Grace Adkins the hatefullest girl I ever saw. We’ll soon be going for France I guess.
3/2/1918 Was 23 didn’t get to be with my little Darling at all, if I could only be with her I would be the happiest little boy in this world, may God bless her till I return
3/3/1918 * completely smudged pencil, can’t make out any of it. *
3/4/1918 * smudged can only make out a few words * Another day gone but did not … much. My mind was … thinking…
Thurs 5/2/18 Left Camp Wills at 6 AM for overseas . I left the train station at 12 pm but stayed in port all night. Am feeling fine have plenty of navy beans and English marmalade to eat.
Fri 5/3/18 Fri night 725 PM I’m now on my way, left port at 1210 AM. I enjoy riding the ocean waves, I feel just a little puratrish (?), like I may get a little sea sick have to wear our life belts all the time now on deck. TSS. Missanaby no 510 the name of the ship.
Sat 5/4/1918 Traveled another day it’s now 730 PM am still feeling good, felt a little dizzy once today, I enjoy riding on a ship. No signs of submarines, we have life boat drills, twice a day, ½ hour each.
Sun 5/5/1918 I went to church twice and enjoyed the day fine, the band gave a concert, in the fare noon, I didn’t write my little Darling a letter either as I usually do on Sunday.
Mon 5/6/1918 I’m feeling fine and enjoying this trip fine, I truly wish I could be with my little girl, o how I could love her, gulrt (?) she will wait for me until I return.
Tues 5/7/1918 It’s 915 PM have enjoyed the day fine, dreamed of my little girl today, thought I was with her, had a moving picture show on board. I’m getting anxious to see land again.
Wed 5/8/1918 Am feeling fine and enjoying the trip, had an entertainment and movies tonight they were real good. It seems more like vacation than anything else, the boys are all happy.
Thurs 5/9/1918 We are having a good time, have boxing Every evening and other things for amusement. Wish my little girl was with me, that would give me more pleasure, it will someday.
Fri 5/10/1918 We are now entering the war zone, now we have several guards out watching for submarines, wish I could get another letter from my little girl, like the last one.
Sat 5/11/1918 In service ten months today, have a squad of new men, guess I’ll be busy for two or three months now, teaching them to drill.
Sun 5/12/1918 Went to church before noon it rained and snowed some today, and its much cooler, one man died on one of the other ships and they buried him in the sea. I’m feeling fine yet.
Mon 5/13/1918 Didn’t do anything today except took the morning exercise, rained most of the day and is real cold, must be quite a ways north of Ireland.
Tues 5/14/1918 Another day no land in sight yet. I’m a little tired too, not getting enough exercise, our convoy met us today. We’ll land now in a few days.
Wed 5/15/1918 We are almost to our destination now. In sight of land. The Western coast of Scotland, no sign of submarines yet, we have a convoy of 18 chasers now.
Thurs 5/16/1918 Landed, 130 AM marched about 3 blocks to station, took a train to camp about 200 mi, arrived there at 10 PM marched about 2 mi to camp, ate supper and got to bet at 130 AM. I like this place fine. Winchester, England.
Sun 5/19/1918 Arrived in France Sun morning 930 AM after noon hiked about 7 mi and drew our gas masks. I like this country fine better than England.
Thurs 6/6/1918 Left Beauchamp at 230 PM for a three day hike, a distance of 40 mi, we arrived there at noon Sat 8th, Neufchatel was the town, only stayed one night there.
Sun 6/9/1918 Left Neufchatel on train at 1 PM wonder what my little girl is doing today, wish I could only be with her, will have about 2 days on train.
Sun 6/16/1918 Where was I this time last year? I didn’t do much today, but had a good time, had strawberries and cream for supper but couldn’t have the pleasure of being with my little girl like I was at this time last year. I’m now in a town by the name of Vremenil have a real nice billet to stay in. Sleep on the 2nd floor on a fine hay mattress. It’s raining most of the day so my mind was wandering.
Tues 7/2/18 Just read a letter from my little girl last night wish I was with her or if she could only hear from me and know that I am still alive. I saw my first airplane brought down this morning, it was a real interesting sight to see it come down. It was about 6000 feet in the air when it was hit, it took about 10 minutes for it to fall. There was 3 men in the plane. 1 was injured slightly the other two wasn’t even scratched. They were taking pictures.
Thurs 7/4/18 My first fourth of July away from home I spent in France. Fellingam, about 4 kilos from the lines, we had a good time. Foot racing, horse racing, and other games in evening the band furnished music for an entertainment. This town was once owned by Germany, quite a few of the people speak German. I think I could have enjoyed it much better if I could have been with my little girl.
Thur 7/18/18 One year from the day I enlisted I was in my first battle. We had quite a few casualties, 40 in all. 9 killed, 31 wounded, some expecting to die yet. We have been relieved and are back of the lines. The big shells are flying over my head now. I am used to that now though it doesn’t bother me. I was in the trenches 7 days.
Tues 8/13/18 I left Saulwers, Aug 13. Tues morn at 7 AM for the trenches. We are now in reserve about 12 kilos from the line will only stay here for a few days.
Tues 8/20/18 One year since I saw my little girl. I couldn’t hardly go to sleep last night thinking of the night I arrived and found my little girl at home. Wish it could happen once more.
Sun 8/25/18 Another Sunday passed didn’t do anything much, only went to the YMCA a little while had service by Lieut. Hatch, Chaplain. Am now thinking of my darling, wish I could be with her.
Thurs 8/29/18 I’m in a fine little town now, having a good time too. Went to a funeral. American soldiers this afternoon at 2PM was buried in a French cemetery at Gorardemer, Vasges.
Tues 9/3/18 Was on guard all day, stood my first formal guard mount and have been in service 1 year, 1 month and 23 days. We are leaving this camp tomorrow. Three years today I started for Chilicathee, MO to learn telegraphy, but instead I stopped in St. Louis and learned the barbers trade. I hope in three more years I will have a nice little home and living happy with my little wife Grace M. Ebert OX
Thurs 9/5/18 Left Carcieux at 5 PM Wednesday. We got on train about 8 PM rode all night in a stock car had 40 men in it, didn’t have room to lie down. We arrived in Luneville at 5 AM this morning. We hiked 18 kilos in the rain it has rained all day. We have just arrived in camp and I am some tired. This camp is a town rather, Vigneulles, Etsmaselle, Provence.
Sun 9/15/18 I am lying on my back on the ground in my tent writing this I am thinking of my darling wish I could be with you today. We have been here 4 days, we are in reserves.
Tues 9/17/18 Its raining today can’t do anything. I dreamed the last two nights of my little girl, of being at home but couldn’t manage any way to get to see my family.
Thurs 9/19/18 I hiked about 15 miles yesterday with full equipment and a carrier of automatic rifle ammunition. We caught trucks and rode all night a distance of about 75 miles. I was just about all in but have had a few hours rest now and read 1 letter from home, 1 from my darling she has heard I was wounded, I wish she knew how I am. I feel much better now since I read the letters.
Sat 9/21/18 Left Clermont at 7 PM hiked through Auzrevelle and to our line of support, about 2 kils from our front line a distance of about 20 Ks. We arrived here at 130 AM the enemy’s artillery was firing the shells was striking in 100 yards of us. One enemy airplane opened up on us with a machine gun, we all had to lie flat on the ground for cover. This is the Verdun front.
Tues 10/1/18 I am on the train on my way to the base hospital. I am lying on my back writing was wounded Sep 30 about 10 AM was holding the lines for a German acrourate(?) Attacked when a shell struck the ground just behind me and exploded wounded me in the right shoulder and arms. Just over my right lung. It is hard to be lying and have your comrads shot down beside you this occurred several times. But anyway I got two for myself.
Fri 10/4/18 I arrived to the hospital Oct 1 about 430 PM was operated on about 130 the same night. It was about 3 o’clock when I came out of the ether.
Sat 11/2/18 I was operated on again Oct 31st I have been in bed one month now. I am not feeling very good yet after my 2nd operation think I’ll get all right though. Now its just six months since I left the states, my service stripe is due today. The Red Cross lady was just in and gave me candy chewing gum and other things.
Sat 11/9/18 Left evacuation hospital Friday Nov. 8 for the base hospital. I am feeling fine except a little tired riding the French Train
Sun 11/10/18 Arrived at the base hospital Nov. 9 at Chateauroux about 3 PM and got out of bed the 11th for the first time, this is a very nice place was built for an asylum.
Tues 11/12/18 Allied Victory Armistice Signed the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month 1918, which caused 1561 days of miserable grief. France was in the war for 52 months and lasted until the war was won. Armistice was signed on the 11th of November 1918. Just 16 months from the day I enlisted, 6 months and 9 days after I landed in France
Mon 12/16/18 I was classified Dec 13, I’m class B2. I am on my way to a classification camp at Blais, left Chateauroux at 6 AM Dec 16, landed at Tours at 11 AM. Ate dinner at the Red Cross, will leave at 1 PM.
Wed 12/18/18 I arrived at Blais about 3 PM Mon Dec 16 – I like this place fine if it didn’t rain all the time. I went in town last night, it’s a nice town, I don’t do anything here, spend most of my time at the YMCA.
Fri 12/20/18 I spent Christmas at Blais. For dinner we had beef steak, mashed potatoes, peas, apple sauce, butter, chestnuts, oranges, and chocolate, and to drink we had wine.
Sun 12/29/18 Leaving Blais for Brest, to get the transport for the U.S. I have been here two weeks lacking one day.
Tue 12/31/18 Landed in Brest Dec 30 about 5 PM this is some camp the mud is almost knee deep and raining all the time, I don’t think I will live long if I have to stay here.
Sat 1/4/19 I have five months pay coming just signed the pay roll today. I will probably be paid before I start for the U.S.
Sun 1/5/19 Sun is almost gone. I didn’t do anything, it rained every day, it’s so muddy you can’t get out anywhere if you can’t walk on a board walk. It’s quite cold too it’s about all I can do to keep warm. I will be glad when I get back home so I can be with my darling every Sunday.
Sun 1/12/19 This is Sunday again I’m still in Brest. It’s a beautiful day and I haven’t anything to pass away the time. I just went out a few minutes ago and bought a veal loaf sandwich for 75 cents, and a few other things, it all cost $1.80. I just ate it and didn’t have half enough, everything is awful high here. 80 cents for a loaf of bread. I just got paid the 9th the first pay I’ve had for 5 months. I drew $168.00. Of which I bought a $150.00 postal money order, so I wouldn’t be so apt to lose it or have it stolen.
Mon 1/13/19 This is the day I’ve been looking for some time, when I would return to my little girl. We got on the ship about 2:30 PM this afternoon. U.S.S. Orizaba is the name of the boat.
Wed 1/15/19 We left the port at Brest Tuesday the 14th at 1 PM this is one night and one day on the way home, the sea is pretty rough I have been sick too.
Sun 1/19/19 Just 8 months today I landed in France in Lahavre, I am now on my way home, six days on sea. Just 17 months today since I saw my darling little girlie.
Thu 1/23/19 Thursday morning, we arrived in NY harbor Wednesday evening about 7 PM. We got off of the ship about 1 PM Thursday, took a train to camp Merritt, arrived at 6 PM.
Sat 2/1/19 Left Camp Merritt January 28, arrived at Camp Dodge Iowa January 30 about 9 PM.
Thu 2/6/19 It’s snowing today, makes me want to be at home more. I dream of home most every night. Dreamed of my little girl last night, seems that she doesn’t love for me.
Fri 2/7/19 read a card from my little girl today, the first mail I’ve read since Sept 24th, written August 21st. A little better than six months since it was written. Why wouldn’t I be love sick?
Tue 2/11/19 Just 19 months today I enlisted in the service. I was a Copl. Just one year the 9th of Feb. Was discharged Feb 14th 1919.
Mon 2/17/19 Was with my darling little girl. She is the sweetest little girl I ever saw. Wish I didn’t have to leave her again.
Sat 3/15/19 Just received a letter from my darling. Guess she won’t be long though, for she wants to quit, maybe it will be best for both of us for if she loves another more than me, I won’t want her anyway. I love her more than anyone else if we don’t marry, guess I can live over it, if I stay away so I will never see her again.
Wed 3/26/19 Well, guess I’m finished now, for I am a married man at last. Was married March 24, 1919 to Grace Adkins, the hatefullest girl I ever saw – o.x.
May God’s blessings be with us and keep us pure and true to each other, so the thoughts of jealousy shall never enter our minds, help us O Lord to forget the past and forgive us our wrongs, and that we may live true to thee and to each other, Amen.
