Soldiers of the United States, the
people of the British Isles welcome
you on your way to take your
stand beside the Armies of
many Nations now fighting in
the Old World the great battle
for human freedom.
The Allies will gain new heart
& spirit in your company.
I wish that I could shake
the hand of each one of you
& bid you God speed on your
mission.
George R. I.
April 1918.
Arrived safetly today
143
R.
(c) Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, Deerfield MA. All rights reserved. Contact us for information about using this image.
label levels:
In 1917 the United States declared war on Germany and sent troops to join the Allied armies. This greeting from King George V of Great Britain acknowledges and thanks the American soldiers for joining in the "great battle for human freedom." Edward Roswell Wirt (1891-1942) attached a handwritten message to the official greeting, which he then mailed to his fiancee in America, Emily Gladys Bartlett, telling her that he had arrived safely in England, April 1918.