My grandfather, Wiley Thomas "Tom" Snyder (1892 - 988) was drafted into the U.S. Army in June 1917. He first went to Camp Jackson, near Columbia, SC. He wrote letters to the girl back home in Wilkes County that he had in mind to marry - my future grandmother, Nora Bessie McNeil (1900 - 1992). Nora saved the letters.
Here is a postcard appropriate for Valentine's Day. I love the World War I era graphics. This postcard, postmarked July 24, 1918, was his last communication from the U.S. On July 31, he boarded the SS Walmer Castle to cross the Atlantic. He sent the next letter from France on September 1. Three weeks later, he was severely wounded by shrapnel in the right shoulder. He spent the rest of the war in hospitals. He married Nora on April 16, 1919, one month after his discharge.
Transcription of postcard:
July 24, 1918, Brooklyn, N.Y , Upton Branch
Miss Nora McNiell, Millers Creek, N.C.
Dear Nora
Guess you think I am not going to ans[swer]. I really haven’t had time. I am ok. Hope you are well. I am in “Long” Island N. York, Camp Upton. Write me. I remain your true friend (a short while), W.T. Snider
