Clayton M. Sherwood:
Diary of Foreign Service, August 1917 to February 1919

IDENTIFICATION

After more than eight decades, it’s not possible to fully identify many people mentioned in the diaries without considerable research. Clayton typically didn’t include full names or identifications of individuals because of his abbreviated note-taking style. The transcriber’s identification of individuals relied largely on addresses listed at the end of each book. Several likely candidates for certain unspecific names were suggested by Clayton C. Sherwood, son of Clayton M. Sherwood and father of John C. Sherwood. Attempts were made to clarify who was meant in individual references, with varying success.

NAMES OF FAMILY IN THE STATES
“Aunty” – Edna McKee, sister of Clayton’s mother
“Dad” – Charles Philo Sherwood
“Granddad” or “Grandpa” – William Nelson Marshall
“Grandpa” – Nathan Yale Sherwood
“Little Marshall” – probably a cousin, presumably the son of William Nelson Marshall’s younger sister Edna Marshall
“Mother” – Ella Jane Marshall
“Uncle Clate” – Clayton Walter Sherwood, Charles Philo Sherwood’s younger brother, with a daughter “Dot”
Beebe, Charles and Zola; Charles probably was the nephew of Clayton’s
grandmother Salva “Jennie” Beebe
Dot, a cousin in Michigan, presumably the daughter of Uncle Clate
McKee, John and Edna “Aunty”; sister of Clayton’s mother, of Kalkaska,
Michigan
Sherwood, Edna, Clayton’s sister, of Kalkaska, Michigan
Sherwood, Elmer, Clayton’s brother, of Kalkaska, Michigan
Sherwood, Ella Marshall, Clayton’s mother
Sherwood, Harry and Emeline; younger brother of Clayton’s father; daughter Florence [?]
Sherwood, Nettie, cousin, daughter of Harry and Emeline Sherwood

NAMES OF FRIENDS AND OTHERS CLAYTON KNEW IN THE STATES
Burwell, James A. “Jim,” of Kalkaska, Michigan, a close friend of Clayton’s who was a basketball substitute. Burwell became a rifleman and later an acting corporal serving with Company I of the 26th Infantry. Killed in action in September 1918.
Burwell, Dr. and Mrs. [?], probably the parents of James A. Burwell
Champney, Orel, of Rapid City, Michigan, who married Clayton’s cousin Nettie Sherwood
Chaney, Cy, of Torch Lake near Rapid City, Michigan
Chaney, Homer, of Kalkaska, Michigan
Depuy, R.
Doyle, [?], who employed Elmer Sherwood
Getty, [?]
Glazer, [?]
Hainstock, Rheo H., of the Motor Transport Corps. School No. 1, in France
Jencks, M.
Keith, Pvt. Mendel A., a friend from Kalkaska, Michigan, with Co. B. 63 Eng. in France
Lambke, [?], Clayton’s friend from Kalamazoo College
MacKeller, F., who married “Ester V.”
Nowacks, [?], editor of a newspaper from home
Reiman, [?]
Sanders, [?], an employer in Kalkaska, Michigan
Stanley, [?]
Vanderhill, Lester, of Kalkaska, Michigan

YOUNG WOMEN IN THE STATES
In addition to the young women from Michigan whom Clayton identifies by first and last names in the diary, he makes several references to others only by their first names. While Clayton received several letters from female relatives, many of the others were from young ladies who might be considered girlfriends or potential girlfriends. Of these, Bertine (or “Bert”) appears to have won Clayton’s greatest attention. Those mentioned most frequently are Bertine, Iva, Lillian, Rose Bailey and Bernice White.

Bertine / Bert Matilda
Florence Martha
Iva Maud
Lillian / Lill Ruth C. and/or Ruth S. [Syers]
Rose Bailey of Traverse City, Michigan
K[atherine] C. Alice Caldwell
Bernice E. White of Garland Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, also of 512 Waukazoo Ave., Petosky, Michigan

Clayton’s entry for Oct. 15, 1918, suggests he didn’t regard any of these relationships as romantically serious. Ultimately, Clayton married Mayme Edith Twing on June 16, 1921, two years and four months after he returned from foreign service, and they remained together the rest of their lives.

SERVICEMEN IN OR ASSOCIATED WITH CLAYTON’S C.A.C. BATTERY

[?], “Old Duke,” who was in the mill for drunkenness
[?], Pierre, who talked to Clayton till late
[?], “Speed”
Abegglen, [?], whose cane Clayton had for awhile
Aldrich, [?] , who worked on No. 5 gun
Anelski, [?], who fixed Clayon’s shoes
Arnold, [?]
Arsenält, Clement “Frenchy,” of Mexico, Maine; actually, Arsenault – with a "u" -- may be the correct spelling, as we have located several people named "Clement Arsenault" in the region of Maine, and no one named Arsenalt.
Barnacastle, [?] “Bernie”/“Barny,” of Lockhart, Mississippi
Beaver, [?] “Kid,” who worked in the kitchen with Clayton and was made first-class private at the same time as Clayton
Boland, [?], who paid 17 francs for a shave in Toul and who was made first-class private at the same time as Clayton
Bomka, [?], with Clayton’s unit throughout the period the diaries cover; he worked in the kitchen with Clayton and probably joined the detail that delivered guns to French after the armistice
Brasket, [?], also spelled “Bresket,” who slept in the powder magazine with Clayton and Taylor and whose squad Clayton was in at the end of the war
Brooks, [?], who went absent for 11 days
Bull, [?], a unit overseer of some unspecified type; he first wanted Clayton to become an officer, and later tried to make him do extra prison guard duty; someone in the unit may have made fun of Bull with a sign that read “Beware of Bull”
Carswell, [?], also spelled Croswell, a black serviceman, probably from North Carolina
Cayer, [?] severely wounded by high explosive at the storehouse in Griscourt
Corkhill, [?], who after drinking became especially spirited and did more work
Creek, [?]
Damon, [?], not the same person as “Bishop” Daymon
Davis, Paul, severely wounded in Griscourt storehouse explosion
Daymon, [?] “Bishop,” likely a sergeant or corporal, who went to Gezoncourt with Clayton
DeHaven, [?], of the headquarters outfit, killed in Griscourt storehouse explosion
Dobry, Sgt. [?], of the headquarters outfit, killed in Griscourt storehouse explosion
Duckworth, [?], “A pretty good skate,” who went to Soncourt with Clayton
Duderick, Sgt. [?]
Dunn, Lancejack Lt. [?]
Dutner [sp?] speaking to old man with whiskers
Eastman, Herbert, of Haverhill, Massachusetts
Finke, [?], who was put in the guard house and who ran into Clayton in Pompey while with Peatfield
Forney, [?]
Fuller, [?], who shared a place near the guns with Clayton, and had a bunk
Gillespie, [Thomas?] “Tommy,” who got a Luger from a 1st division man
Gob, [sp?], [?], possibly an abbreviation or nickname
Guvger [sp?], [?], who fixed up a place where Clayton ended up alone
Henry, [?], who was on fusing detail and who came back to the battery after an absence
Hoffman, [?]
Jaynes, [?], who talked till late, telling stories and tales of things he’d done
Johnson, Sgt. [?], who was in charge of the boxcar out of Wassy
Johnston, [?], who was put under arrest for being absent
Keirane, [?], who gave Clayton some trouble
Kelly, [?], who paid Clayton 56 francs for a $10 bill
King, Pvt. [?] -- escaped guardhouse, taken back twice; later imprisoned two years
Kinsman, [?], who provided Clayton with a German rifle
Kuntz [Koontz], who was examined for artillery school and who went absent and was drunk at times
LaFevre, [?]
Leathers, Hosea G. [known as “Red”?], of Green Forest, Arkansas
Lynch, [John?], who was in the mill for drunkenness
MacAloney, [?], in charge of guard duty
MacCarthy, [?], who went to the old German trenches with Clayton and who shared 9 or 10 quarts of beer from a big pail with Clayton
MacDonald, [?] “Tubby,” who oversaw guard duty
McCoy, L., who bit Thomas’ ear off
Mahon, [?], who was “out of kitchen now”
Masse, [?]
Moore, [?], who shared a double tent with Clayton and others
Myer, [?]
Obney, [?], a troublemaker, later imprisoned for five years
Ochstien [sp?], [?]
Otto, [?]
Parker, [?], who worked in the kitchen with Clayton and was made a first-class private at the same time as Clayton
Patton, [?], who was taken to guard house [not to be confused with then-Col. George S. Patton]
Peatfield, Lawrence, of Georgetown, Massachusetts, who had a French rifle and who ran into Clayton at Pompey while he was with Finke
Peine, [?], who was in trouble and put in mill
Pillard, Ray, of Coggan, Iowa, who was examined for artillery school; this name may have been incorrect, as a Ray A. Pilliard -- that is, with another "i" is listed as having served during WWI out of Coggan, Iowa, at the Web site http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ia/county/linn/ww1/p-q.htm.
Ramus, [?], who was wounded by shrapnel
Rector, who was in charge of guard on first relief and who later was in charge under Amsbury
Reynolds, [?], “is first relief”
Robinson, Sgt. [?], “a fine chap to work for” who brought Jim Burwell to Clayton
Ruay, Mike, “who is again in the battery”
Schantz, Alfred, of St. Paul, Indiana, spelled “Shantz” in diary, who was in a tent without a cap on it with Clayton and Snyder
Shuster, [?], who was “out of kitchen now”
Smith, Oscar, perhaps same as “Red” Smith, with whom Clayton took a walk to Courcelles
Smith, “Red,” [?], with whom Clayton took a walk to Courcelles; may be same as “R. Smith”; possibly Oscar Smith
Snyder, George, of Orbisonia, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, who came back to the battery after an absence and who was in a tent without a cap on it with Clayton and Shantz
Southwell, Enoch, 316 Supply Co., APO 708, Amexforce
Sova, Cpl. [?]
Spencer, Wag. Vernon N., H’dg’s. Co. 61st Arty C.A.C. Amexforce France
Spitler, who was examined for artillery school
Sprouse, [?]
Stamm, [?]
Stascroki [sp?], [?]
Stone, William C., of Palisades, Colorado
Stout, [?], who “sounded off”
Taylor, [?], who was examined for artillery school, slept in the powder magazine with Clayton and Brasket and went to the German trenches with Clayton after Saint-Mihiel
Thomas, [?], whose ear was bitten off by McCoy, also Clayton’s bunkmate
Thomasson, [?], who played the accordion
Weis, [?], who had seizures
White, [?], who was made first-class private, and learned to drive tractors
Wilkcoski [later spelled Wilkowski], [?], also called “Coski,” a bunkmate who shared a double tent with Clayton and others
Wleklinski, [?], who shared eggs with Clayton


OTHERS CLAYTON REFERENCED IN SERVICE AND IN EUROPE
Adams, Lt. [?]
Adnot, Monsieur, owner of jewelry store at Mailly, France
Anderson, Rev. [?], a speaker from the States
Barnett, [?], associated with 8th Regiment
Becker, [?]
Bellingham, [?], of Plainwell, Michigan
Berry, [?]
Brown, Sylvester, of Morrow, Ohio, with I Battery 8th Regiment
Calef, Sgt. [?]
Chamberlain, Col. [?], blamed for rigorous orders while in England, and who was in full command at Mailly after Clayton left there
Clancy, [?], American gunner who served at Vimy Ridge in April 1917
Clark, Capt. [?]
Crittendon, of Michigan, with relatives in Cadillac, associated with 8th Regiment
Davis, O., a motorcyclist
Demsky, [?]
Douglas, [Joshua?] “Josh,” with I Battery 8th Regiment
Fitz, associated with 8th Regiment
Getty, Clarence, c/o Regulating Officer Q.M.C., APO 712, Amexforce, France
Gillespie, [Thomas?] “Tommy”
Grace, Major [?] and/or Capt. [?] of I Battery, whom Clayton went to see about artillery school but who wasn’t in his office
Hainstock, Rheo H., of the Motor Transport Corps. School No. 1
Hendon, Lt. [?], who was not satisfied by work accomplished on the guns
Howell, Col. [?], who was well pleased by the battery’s work at Saint-Mihiel
Hunter, L., from University of Michigan
Janis, Elsie, touring vaudeville entertainer
Johnson, Lt. [?]
Joyce, associated with 8th Regiment
Kreps, [?]
Lufberry, Major [?], killed in action
Marshall, Harold, of Byron Center, Michigan
Maurice, “Countess,” a speaker to the servicemen
McAlister, [?], of Kalamazoo area, who knew Lambke
McCann, Capt., [?], called “skinny” by Clayton
McMein, Naysa, probably an entertainer at the Y.M.C.A. in Griscourt
Parkhurst, Anita, probably an entertainer at the Y.M.C.A. in Griscourt
Pershing, Gen. J.J., commander of the American Expeditionary Force
Richardson, [?] for whom Clayton worked on No. 1 gun pit and in store house.
Sprague, Lt. [?], with unit in England
Stascroki [sp?], [?]
Swartz, [?]
Swier, [?]
Vann, Lt. and later Capt. [?], who condemned Clayton’s shoes and much later told the company they would be back before Christmas 1918
Walker, Capt. and later Major [?], called “Dopey” by Clayton


NAMES AND ADDRESSES CLAYTON RECORDED

FIRST DIARY
Carl Dell, 223 West Lincoln St., Boyce City, Mich.
Sadie Young, 1 Nichol Place, Cambridge, Mass.
Jennie Balsum, Avon, Mass.
Dr. E.A. Balch, 1229 Naple St., Kalamazoo, Mich.
Sylvester Brown, Morrow, Ohio, Battery I, 8th Reg. C.A.C. Amexforce.
Bernie Barnacastle, Box 134, Lockhart, Miss.
Ray Pillard, Coggan, Ia, Bat. L., 6th C.A.C., 6th C.A.C.
James A. Bur[n]well, Kalkaska, Mich., Co. I, 26th Inf. Amexforce, France
Harold Marshall, Byron Center, Mich., Bat. L. 7th Reg. C.A.C. Amexforce
Orel Champney, Rapid City, Mich., 2nd Headqtrs. Co. So. Armory, Boston, Mass.
Herbert Eastman, No. 61, 16th Ave., Haverhill, Mass., Bat. K 6th Reg. Amexforce, France
Clement Arsenält, Box 118, Mexico, Me., Bat. L, 6th Reg. C.A.C. Amexforce, France
Lawrence Peatfield, Thurlow St., Georgetown, Mass.
Hosea G. Leathers, Green Forest, Ark., Bat. L 6th Reg. C.A.C.
Emr [???]
Vernon Spencer, Kalkaska Headquarters, Company 61 Artillery C.A.C.
Bernice White, 809 Garland Ave., Detroit, Michigan

SECOND DIARY
Wag. Vernon N. Spencer, H’dg’s. Co. 61st Arty C.A.C. Amexforce France
Pvt. Mendel A. Keith, Co. B. 63 Eng. APO 712, Amexforce France
Reo Hainstock, Motor Transport Corps. School No. 1, APO No. 772 Amexforce
Enoch Southwell, 316 Supply Co., APO 708, Amexforce
Clarence Getty, c/o Regulating Officer Q.M.C., APO 712, Amexforce France
Miss Bernice E. White, 512 Waukazoo Ave., Petosky, Mich.
William C. Stone, Palisades, Col.
Alfred Schantz, St. Paul, Indiana
Rheo H. Hainstock, #3358547, M.T. Corps. Motor Car Co. 305, APO 708
George Snyder, Orbisonia, Huntingdon Co., Pa.

Original text © 2002-2003 by MysteryVisits.com, Willowshade, West Grove, PA

Contents

Foreword and Summary

August 1917 | September 1917 | October 1917
November 1917 | December 1917

January 1918 | February 1918 | March 1918 | April 1918
May 1918 | June 1918 | July 1918 | August 1918
September 1918 | October 1918 | November 1918 | December 1918

January 1919 | February 1919

Battle analysis | Definitions | THIS PAGE: NAMES | Family

© 2002-2003 by MysteryVisits.com, Willowshade, West Grove, PA

Note: This project may be reproduced only with written permission from its preparers. Because this is a work in progress, additions, suggestions, challenges, corrections and explanations are necessary, requested – and welcomed. Send them to John C. Sherwood or visit MysteryVisits.com.

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