Letters from the Front, Part 1: 1917 France

This is a new series commemorating the centennial of the end of the First World War.

In Memoriam: Emmett Hamblen Shaw (1896-1979)

When asked one time, my grandfather said his idea of heaven was “sitting at a bar in Paris, drinking champagne with my buddies”. He was referring to his WWI buddies. In the 1960s, he would sit at our kitchen table, pouring splashes of Michelob into a glass, each splash creating an inch of head—"the head ‘peps’ me up”, he would say—and we’d listen to bits and pieces of his life. His best stories were about driving ambulances for France on the Western Front and later at the Italian Front where he met and got to know Ernest Hemingway.

Only weeks after war broke out, Emmett left his home town of Spokane, Washington to attend Harvard College. Three years later in 1917, beginning his senior year, France was recruiting volunteers because America still had not joined the war. Harvard was offering degrees to all willing upperclassmen, so Emmett signed with the American Ambulance Field Service. One of his letters to his mother explains his preparation.

Cambridge, April 13 [1917]

I have just sent for my passport. As soon as it comes I shall sail—from New York on the French line to Bordeaux. I am going to try to get in a short visit to Philadelphia if I can arrange it.

I am all through with school—with the exception of handing in a thesis in one of my courses.

Will write again soon. E.H.S.

Since writing the above I have done about 40 things and written and received about 40 letters During the last week I have been inoculated for typhoid—vaccinated for small-pox—chased up six letters of identification, sworn oaths at Justices of Peace—Federal deputies—medical men etc etc—these are mere incidentals too—for I’m still serving time at the club and working at odd moments on a thesis.

This afternoon came letters from you, Uncle L, Helen, Aunt Mabel, Aunt Frances and Jack. I wonder when I shall have time to answer them all. I am sending a book to Uncle L.* that gives a very interesting account of the ambulance work. You can get some idea from it of what I shall be doing.

I sail ­April 21^st this is definite. My address will be 21 rue Raynouard, Paris, France c/o American Ambulance Field Service.

I can’t write any more just now but will be soon—and promise to follow your advice in all other matters. Lovingly, Emmett.

*Uncle L is Lawrence Hamblen, father of Herb Hamblen (of Herb Hamblen Park in Spokane, Washington).

...to be continued