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Edgar Andrews in uniform [ca. 1918]

Veterans History Project Service Summary:

  • War or Conflict: World War, 1914-1918
  • Branch of Service: Army
  • Unit of Service: Company A, 102nd Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division; Massachusetts Army National Guard
  • Location of Service: Massachusetts; France
  • Highest Rank: Corporal
  • Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/103623

View full service history

"I have seen just enough of the world to want to see the best of it." (Letter to mother, November 18, 1917)

Corporal Edgar Andrews grew up in Boston, and his Massachusetts National Guard battalion was assigned to the 26th Division, also known as the "Yankee Division," as most of its components were National Guard units from New England. Andrews saw heavy fighting at Seicheprey in April 1918 and was also involved in the Aisne-Marne Offensive in July before being hospitalized due to illness in September. In his correspondence, he carefully avoided giving his family any details of the fighting, but the emotional impact that it had on him is evident. Andrews wrote most often to his mother and to his sister Susan, and their close relationship is unmistakable in their letters, as are the bonds of camaraderie among the soldiers in his battalion.

[ Photo Album ]

More Resources

[ Form 908 from the Treasury Department Bureau of War Risk Insurance ]
[ Form 25 from the Massachusetts Treasury Department ]
[ Certificate of insurance from the Treasury Department Bureau of War Risk Insurance [1/11/1918] ]
[ Letter from the Treasury Department discontinuing the government allowance from Edgar D. Arthur's death [1/16/1919] ]
[ Letter from the Treasury Department of the United States to Mrs. Sarah E. Andrews, informing her of the revised amount allotted her for her son's death in war, and billing her for $100 overpayment [1/ ]
[ Letter from the Treasury Department of the United States informing Sarah Andrews of a reconsideration of her son's case [4/19/1919] ]

Show more resources (94)

[ Circular no. 1 from the Treasury Department Bureau of War-Risk Insurance, Washington, D.C. ]
[ Company A. 102nd Machine Gun Battalion Company Roster, May 20, 1918 ]
[ Bulletin #11 of the Welfare Association Co. A, 102nd Machine Gun Battalion [5/10/1918] ]
[ Bulletin #5 of the Welfare Association Co. A, 102nd Machine Gun Battalion ]
[ Bulletin #13 of the Welfare Association Co. A, 102nd Machine Gun Battalion [7/1/1918] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [1/11/1917] ]
[ Postcard to "Sister Sue" from Edgar D. Andrews [1/1/1917] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [1/6/1917] ]
[ Letter to Miss Sarah E. Andrews from Sen. John W. Weeks of Massachusetts [1/19/1918] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [1/15/1917] ]
[ Letter to father from Edgar D. Andrews [1/22/1917] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [10/1917] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [11/4/1917] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [11/18/1917] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [12/11/1917] ]
[ Letter to mother and father from Edgar D. Andrews [12/17/1917] ]
[ Handwritten note for a telegram [12/17/1917 ]
[ Letter to father from Edgar D. Andrews [12/2/1917] ]
[ Cartoons clipped from the New York "Tribune"," included with the letter of 12/2/1917 ]
[ Postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [12/24/1917] ]
[ Christmas postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [12/3/1917] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [12/31/1917] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [1/19/1918] ]
[ Letter to Folks from Edgar D. Andrews [1/27/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [2/23/1918] ]
[ Letter to "Ma, Pa, and Sue," from Edgar D. Andrews [3/15/1918] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [3/29/1918] ]
[ Postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [4/19/1918] ]
[ Postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [4/26/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [4/30/1918] ]
[ Postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [5/6/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [5/9/1918] ]
[ Postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [5/10/1918] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [5/12/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sister Sue from Frank Andrews [5/13/1918] ]
[ Postcard from Edgar D. Andrews [5/16/1918] ]
[ Letter to Father from Edgar D. Andrews [5/20/1918] ]
[ Fragment of a letter from Edgar D. Andrews [5/22/1918] ]
[ Letter to Mother from Edgar D. Andrews [5/26/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [5/27/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [6/1/1918] ]
[ Letter to Mother from Edgar D. Andrews [6/5/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [6/7/1918] ]
[ Letter to "Sister" from "Frank" (Frank P. Paten?) [6/15/1918] ]
[ Letter to the Treasury Department Bureau of War-Risk insurance from Mrs. Sarah E. Andrews [6/16/1919] ]
[ Draft letter to the Treasury Department Bureau of War-Related Risk Insurance [6/16/1919] ]
[ Letter to Sue from "Herbert" [6/21/1918] ]
[ Letter to mother from Edgar D. Andrews [7/30/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from Sue [7/31/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from his mother [8/4/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from Sue [8/5/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from Sue [8/10/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from his mother [8/13/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from Sue [8/15/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from his mother [8/16/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [8/18/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from Sue [8/19/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from his mother [8/25/1918] ]
[ Letter to Edgar D. Andrews from his mother [8/20/1918] ]
[ Letter to "Sister" from "Brother Frank" [9/6/1918] ]
[ Letter on Red Cross stationary from Edgar D. Andrews to mother,informing her of his health [9/19/1918] ]
[ Letter on Red Cross stationary from Edgar D. Andrew to his sister, Sue [10/18/1918] ]
[ Letter to Mother from Edgar D. Andrews [11/19/1918] ]
[ Letter to Mother from Edgar D. Andrews [11/21/1918] ]
[ Letter on Red Cross stationary from Edgar D. Andrew to his sister, Sue [11/23/1918] ]
[ Letter to father from Edgar D. Andrews [11/24/1918] ]
[ Letter to father from Edgar D. Andrews [11/25/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [11/26/1918] ]
[ Letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [12/15/1918] ]
[ Letter to Mother from Edgar D. Andrews [1/2/1919] ]
[ postcard depicting Basque resort town, San Sebastian, Spain [ca. 1918] ]
[ Letter to "Folks" from Edgar D. Andrews [6/14/1919] ]
[ Postcard depicting the Maria Cristina bridge, San Sebastian, Spain [ca. 1918] ]
[ Color postcard of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers, "Je pense a vous" (I'm thinking of you) [Dec. 1918] ]
[ Color postcard of a woman holding a bouquet of flowers, "Souvenir Amical" (A friendly memory) [Dec. 1918] ]
[ Damaged letter to Sue from Edgar D. Andrews [7/31/1918] ]
[ American Expeditionary Forces Field Post Card addressed to Sarah Andrews from her son, Edgar [2/17/1918] ]
[ Poem by "N.B.H.", untitled, "Written for the observance of the first anniversary of the departure from this country of the 102nd Machine Gun Battalion, U.S. Army." ]
[ Photocopy of a poem, "The Service Flag," by William G. Herschell ]
[ Three original postal receipts from 1918 ]
[ Receipt for five dollars ]
[ Card advertisement for the Commercial Travelers' Eastern Accident Association insurance co. ]
[ Business card for Frank P. Paten ]
[ Handwritten list of items and cost on a Jeweler's card ]
[ Color postcard "from the painting by J. -F. (Joseph-Félix) Bouchor"..."American soldiers passing before the statue of Washington at Paris." ]
[ B/w postcard depicting "La cumbre del Monte Ugeldo" (The top of Mount Igueldo) overlooking San Sebastian, Spain ]
[ B/w postcard "American Red Cross Nurses in Parade -- PARIS -- July 4th 1918." ]
[ Color postcard portrait of French General Ferdinand Foch by J.-F. (Joseph-Félix) Bouchor ]
[ B/w postcard depicting a view of San Sebastian, Spain from Monte Uiia ]
[ Color postcard "from the painting by J. -F. (Joseph-Félix) Bouchor"..."American soldiers marching down the Rue Royale, July 14th, 1918, in the parade celebrating the Independence Day of France." ]
[ Color postcard portrait of American General John J. Pershing by J.-F. (Joseph-Félix) Bouchor ]
[ Pamphlett for the John T. Heard Masonic Lodge, Ipswich, Mass. Edgar D. Andrews is listed a Grand Master for the year 1947. ]
[ Pamphlett from Sen. John W. Weeks, included with letter to Sarah Andrews of 1/19/1918, explaining regulations involving mail sent overseas ]
[ Tourist pamhlet for Pougues-les-Eaux, France. ]

About this Item

Title

  • Edgar D. Andrews Collection

Names

  • Masson, Marilyn
  • Andrews, Edgar D.

Home State

  • Massachusetts

Headings

  • -  Andrews, Edgar D.
  • -  World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal Narratives
  • -  United States. Army.

Repository

  • Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Gender

  • Male

Race

  • White

Status

  • veteran

Service History

  • World War, 1914-1918

    • Branch of Service: Army
    • Unit of Service: Company A, 102nd Machine Gun Battalion, 26th Division; Massachusetts Army National Guard
    • Location of Service: Massachusetts; France
    • Highest Rank: Corporal
    • Dates of Service: 1917-1919
    • Entrance into Service: Enlisted
    • Military Status: veteran
    • Service History Note: The veteran served as a runner, machine gunner, and section chief.

Materials

  • Manuscript: Civilian papers (certificates, forms, wills, etc) [8 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1917-1919)
  • Manuscript: Clippings [11 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1917-1974)
  • Manuscript: Correspondence [71 items] -- Mixed (handwritten and typewritten documents) (collected 1917-1919)
  • Manuscript: Creative works [2 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1917-1919)
  • Manuscript: Printed matter [19 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1917)
  • Manuscript: Unit histories [7 items] -- Typewritten document (collected 1917-1919)
  • Photograph: Original photographic print [3 items] -- Photograph (collected 1917-1919)
  • Photograph: Copy photographic print [2 items] -- Photograph (collected 1917-1919)

Collection Number

  • AFC/2001/001/103623

Cite as

  • Edgar D. Andrews Collection (AFC/2001/001/103623), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress

Online Format

  • image

Additional Metadata Formats

IIIF Presentation Manifest

Rights & Access

Using VHP Material in Publication or Exhibition

The Veterans History Project (VHP) at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans who served from World War I through more recent conflicts and peacekeeping missions, so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand what they saw, did and felt during their service. The Veterans History Project Collection includes oral histories along with documentary materials such as original letters, diaries, photographs, and memoirs.

Veterans and interviewers contribute these materials to the Library for scholarly and educational purposes, retaining any copyright they may hold. Therefore, permission must be obtained before using the interview or other materials in exhibition or publication. Researchers or others who would like to make further use of these materials should contact the Veterans History Project for assistance.

As a publicly supported institution, the Library generally does not own rights to material in its collections. Therefore, it does not charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot give or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute material in its collections. Responsibility for making an independent legal assessment of an item from the Library’s collections and for securing any necessary permissions rests with persons desiring to use the item.

Please contact us with questions.

Obtaining Copies of VHP Materials

In order for VHP materials to be duplicated, we must receive written permission from the interviewee for you to obtain a copy of the recording unless the proposed use is limited to personal use, research, or other uses permissible by copyright law. If the interviewee is deceased, their next-of-kin may grant written permission.

Please contact VHP for assistance if you need to contact a veteran for permission to use their materials in exhibition or publication, or if you have received permission from the veteran and need access to high-resolution copies of VHP collection materials.

Citing VHP Materials

Please use the following formats when citing Veterans History Project materials (substituting the appropriate name and collection ID number).

Materials as a whole:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Manuscript material:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Memoirs (MS02), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Transcript (MS04), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Correspondence (MS01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Recording:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Audio recording (SR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Video recording (MV01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Photograph:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH01), photographer unknown, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Photographs (PH03-PH14), Ralph Williams photographer, Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Computer file:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Computer file (CF01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Artifact:

  • John P. Snodgrass (AFC 2001/001/[VHP collection]), Artifact (AR01), Veterans History Project Collection, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.

Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

Masson, Marilyn, and Edgar D Andrews. Edgar D. Andrews Collection. 1917. Personal Narrative. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.103623/.

APA citation style:

Masson, M. & Andrews, E. D. (1917) Edgar D. Andrews Collection. [Personal Narrative] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.103623/.

MLA citation style:

Masson, Marilyn, and Edgar D Andrews. Edgar D. Andrews Collection. 1917. Personal Narrative. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.103623/>.