Conditions Governing Use

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation:

Chester Dobbs Lettesrs, 1919 January-Augist, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, William and Mary.

Content Description

Three letters from Chester Dobbs to his mother and his girlfriend written while he was stationed at Marseilles and Brest, France at the end of World War I while serving in Company A of the 11th Regiment of the United States Marines. He reports on his activities at his duty stations, dances held for the troops, food service, and baseball games that keep everyone occupied as they all await their next orders. Most hope to go home, but Dobbs is realistic about the need for many to serve in occupied Germany and looks at the opportunities that could come along with an extended stay in Europe. Additionally, Dobbs makes a comparison to the segregated Marines food mess as compared to his own. His opinion is that the colored mess hall serves far better food than any other.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• World War, 1914-1918
• World War, 1914-1918--France