[WWI Collection of Walter L. Stroud]

An incredible collection capturing a particularly interesting WWI experience.

This marvelous collection of maps, journals, correspondence, and ephemera all relate to the life experience of Walter Leslie Stroud (1892 – 1989), a musician, devout Christian, poet, and soldier from Charleroi, PA. Stroud was a member of the 125th Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division, part of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I. In addition to various combat and labor duties over the course of the campaign, he served in the regimental band as a vocalist.

Chronologically, the earliest piece is a cheeky postcard postmarked 1912. The message, “Guess Who”, was presumably written from Walter to his father before joining the 32nd, based on the Bible reference found on the opposite side. The majority of the items come directly from Stroud’s time in France during World War I. There is a photograph of him casually smiling in uniform, a second postcard featuring the 125th Infantry emblem, and his official soldier’s paybook.

Two commemorative maps, each about 12.5″ x 9″ and printed by the G-2 Section of the 3rd U.S. Army, show the ‘Bar-Red-Arrow’ (divisional insignia) piercing the German lines, though the unit history in which they were originally included is unfortunately missing. Two small notebooks showcase Stroud’s musical talents, poetic skills, penmanship, as well as a buddy’s incredible sense of humor and cartoon abilities. One booklet begins with a handwritten introduction captured in full below.

“For Future Reminisces May Your Value Prove Your Worth. For Which You Were Intended When In France You Gained Your Birth. May You Keep Intact the Memories that the Pleasures May Not Fade, Which I Knew Among the Fellows in this Foreign Crusade. And When A Stranger Handles You Just Answer Him, Alowd, That You’ll Never Leave Your Author and Your Owner, Walter Stroud.”

The first six pages (the rest are blank) capture the contact information of the approximately 42 members that comprise the regimental band. Numerous ‘business cards’ and bits of paper money – souvenirs of the campaign – are tucked into the back. A small annotation in red next to clarinetist Walter Steele’s name identifies his nickname as ‘Toby.’ This is particularly relevant for the second notebook, which contains 16 pages of skillfully drawn tongue-in-cheek cartoons signed by the very same Toby. These small comics, complete with captions, provide an amusing commentary on the soldierly experience during World War I, from the first haircut (applied using horse clippers) to postwar reminiscing (if we’d only thought of it). Two poems are also included, though written by a different hand (probably Stroud himself).

Elements of Walter Stroud’s postwar life are also touched by the collection. A letter from a woman in Madrid dated 6/22/1919 addresses Stroud as ‘Star Soldier Boy’ and reads, in part, “Do you know I would love to have you boys [illegible] in my home, and if you ever come near do try to find me.” A tri-fold brochure titled ‘Our Division’, published while the 32nd was part of the Army of Occupation, offers a lyrical unit history, while the 1943 Charleroi Elks Lodge pamphlet shows Stroud with the rank of ‘Exalted Ruler.’

Sources: Ancestry.com; Library of Congress; 32nd Infantry Division;