Guilmette, Joseph Eresabirum

1918 03 21

Correspondence:

Somewhere in France
March 21, 1918

Dear sister and family,

Received your letter sometime ago and sure glad to hear from you. We are in France at last and sure had a long journey on our way here. We traveled about 7000 miles and it is not very pleasant riding. Half of the time we were on water and could not see land for some time. At last one morning we see some birds and we knew we were not very far away. Along in the afternoon we saw land. The people in this country are very queer and not like the people in the states. They think we are millionaires and come over to fight for our health I guess but I don't think so on $33 a month. The french soldiers don't get that in four years.

[Page 3 is missing]

I hope he stays in Onaway as he has a good job and is getting more money than he can get in Detroit. Well sis as I must go to bed I will close. I remain as ever your loving brother Joe.

Pvt. Joseph Gilmette
Co. A. 125th Inf.
A.E.F. France

[Note on the back of one of the pages]
Oh sis I am going to be 21 years old tomorrow. Some place to have a birthday. Some man Ha! Ha!

1917 10 31

Correspondence:

Waco Texas
Oct 31 - 17

Dear Sister

Just a line as I am in Texas again and I am having it pretty easy. I am a bugler with no rifle to carry. I am carrying a revolver and a bugle. Some times some small signal flags. Some easy, I say. We had an examination on my heart and lungs. I failed on my heart but they are letting me pass because I am a bugler. They know I am having it easy. Tell Gus I send my best wishes and my best luck. How are all of the children. The folks at home are all well. Alphonse tried to beat it away from home, but Pa caught him in the act. I do not know what he wants to leave for. He had a motorcycle and sold it. I guess he and Pa are getting a car in the spring. He would not get one while I was there, but I guess we shall be home by next winter. That is if we are not all killed off. I am trying to transfer to the signal co. if they let me. But I guess I shall have to stay here. Well sis. I shall have to close and mail this before I go to bed. I remain as ever your brother.

Bugler Joseph Gilmette
Co. A 125th Inf.
Waco, Texas

1918 01 19

Correspondence:

Postcard to:
Mrs. Florence Deletski
284 Hibbard St.
Detroit, Michigan

Dear sister

Just a line as I received you letter and sure glad to hear from you. Say I am out of the hospital and am not going back if I can help it. Tell Gus I send my best wishes. Excuse poor writing as it is hard to write, I remain as ever our brother.

Joseph G

1917 11 14

Correspondence:

Bugler Joseph Gilmette
Co. A 125th Inf.
Waco, Texas

Mrs. Florence Deletski
284 Hibbard Ave.
Detroit, Michigan

Dear Sister,

Received your letter this morning and sure glad to hear from you. Sorry that Gus had his finger smashed. But it all in the life. Glad to hear that the kids are well and can talk. We expect to be on our way over to France by Feb 1, 1918. Say I do not think to tell you in my last letter that the 3 Shea boys were in the same Co. Tell Gus I send my best. Wish I were in Detroit for a week before we go over. We just got back from getting a shot in the arm and it is sore. I got a letter from Pa and they are all well. They have had fine luck with their garden. They have a fine lot of potatoes. I suppose there is a lot of work in Detroit since the draft. There has been 63 die since we have been here and they are discharging on an average of 12 every day. We have our winter quarters build and it is some better. Had a big review here yesterday.

Well, sis as I have to go out and drill this afternoon for a while I must close. I remain as ever your loving brother.

Bugler Joseph Gilmette
Co. A. 125th Inf.
Waco, Texas

1918 07 18

Correspondence:

Privet Joseph Gilemette
Co A 125th Inf
AEF France

[The address above is crossed out and written below is]
Killed in Action
O.K.E.M. Connor 2nd bt. Inf.

[On the back of the envelope]
if not there please
Return to 280 Hibbard
ave Detroit Mich
please

Dear Brother I wroth you a letter and dident get any answer are you dead ore alive ore you to busy with the French girls Joseph dide you get my letter or nought tell me if you did ore nought it takes a long time. Gus is working every day Tony bought a motercical and Gus has been learning him how to Run it I have a neighbor that comes from Englen that was her home. She is very nice she tell how differnt it How they grow thing and stuff like that the 4 of July we were at the park and sene the Erroplane do stunts he was good Joseph he is a French avator he took sunnaer souts and up sid sown and he flue very lough sough that we could see the plain and high I offen see them fly over nough How areyou any hought Hoop you are well Joseph and Hoop You answer my letter and dont forget me I have been wating fore and answer Every since I send mind but nothing comes so please answer please from your Loving sister

Florida Deleske
280 Hibbard St
Detroit Mich