Floyd Boyce Phillips was one of millions of boys from the United States who were sent across the Atlantic to the Old Country to fight in the Great War. In this series of posts, we follow the 101st anniversary of Floyd’s journey and get glimpses of what was going on at home while he was over there.

Many thanks to Coralee for providing me with artifacts throughout the years and especially for the stack of WWI-era letters that were delivered to me on 31 May 2019. They have provided countless hours of family history entertainment.

– Denise

From her hospital room in Aurora, Florence Manning wrote to Floyd. Florence was the fiance of Floyd’s younger brother Arthur. She didn’t get this letter mailed right away, but was thinking of Floyd on a September day. By then the family knew that he was in France and they were likely aware of the news of the battles, such as the Americans taking the offensive, under the command of Colonel George S. Patton, at a place called St. Mihiel.

Aurora Hospital

Sept. 28, 1918

Dear Floyd:

I am trying to pass some of my hospital time by writing letters but thank goodness I am going home to-morrow.

Will have been here three weeks and four days, thats plenty long enough for me. I feel real good again now and hope to soon be enjoying good health again.

I suppose these days of “Over there” are all very interesting to you. How I envy you your chance at enjoying the scenery of the “old County.” I have heard my Dad tell so much about it and have always wished that I could see it. But don’t suppose I ever will. Anyway not before I make my fortune on “Our Ranch.”

I hear from Arthur real often, he is still ploughing with his new engine. Guess the rest of them are threshing. Your father has not returned as yet.

The boys I camp around here are certainly having a great time with influenza – Camp Grant also the Great Lakes are quarantined.

Herb Klink is very sick at The Great Lakes. Had influenza and then went into pneumonia. Have not heard the last two days just how he is. My brother-in-law, Herb Spencer has escaped it so far.

There evidently is a rather lively foot ball game going on down at Hurd’s Island this P.M. judging from the yelling. But guess that doesn’t interest neither you nor I at this particular time. You in France, me in the hospital.

Next…

A Letter From Father

Who is Who?

Guy and Gertrude Phillips Family

Floyd was the middle of the five sons of Gertrude Lovin Boyce and Guy Allison Phillips.

Sources:

Floyd Boyce Phillips, “Journal” (Army, 1918-1919).” privately held by Denise Krueger, Rochester, MN, 2019.

“Florence” [Florence Estelle Manning] (Aurora, Illinois) to “Floyd” [Floyd Boyce Phillips], letter, 28 September 1918; privately held by Denise Krueger, Rochester, MN, 2019.

WWI Interactive Timeline, The National WWI Museum and Memorial ( https://www.theworldwar.org/explore/interactive-wwi-timeline : accessed 3 Jun 2019)

The Phillips Family

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