0.25 Linear Feet, Summary: 3 in. (1 flat storage box)
Creator
Walton, Elmer Arthur
Location
West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown,
WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/
Language
English
Abstract
Papers of Elmer Arthur Walton (1896-1960), a Martin's Ferry, Ohio native, documenting his experiences in France and the United
States during World War I as a member of Company H, 4th Regiment, 3rd Division. Includes a 32 page narrative letter, book
of original cartoons, scrapbook, photo portraits, and obituaries. 1) Addressed to his father, the narrative letter by Elmer
Walton written from a hospital in Limoges, France on 24 November 1918, describes in some detail his experiences as a soldier,
from the time he embarked onto a troop ship at Newport News, Virginia to his hospitalization in France. This letter also includes
his reflections on why America was fighting. 2) The book of cartoons by Walton records his war experiences in a humorous manner
(ca. 1918-1919). 3) The scrapbook contains photographs of Walton's fellow soldiers, World War I memorabilia, a photo postcard
of crowds celebrating in the street on Armistice day somewhere in France, and pictures of his wife Jessie Ray Kidd Walton
and their two children, among other subjects (ca. 1916-1919). 4) There are four portrait photographs of Elmer Walton (ca.
1917-1919, 1931). 5) There are also two clippings of obituaries regarding the passing of Walton (1960).
Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.
Conditions Governing Access
No special access restriction applies.
Preferred Citation
[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Elmer Arthur Walton, Soldier, World War I Letter, Scrapbook, and Other
Material, A&M 3694, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Elmer Arthur Walton was born 7 April 1897 in Martin's Ferry, Ohio and passed away 29 September 1960 in Oakmont Veterans Administration
Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Walton was the first Martins Ferry resident to enlist during World War I, and served
with Company H, 4th Regiment, 3rd Division, U.S. Army. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart by
the U.S. Government, and the Croix de guerre by the French Government for his World War I service. He married Jessie Ray Kidd
of North Carolina and had two children.
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