One of the oldest of a family of 11 kids. Catholic family, 5 boys 6 girls. Parents were very religious. Went to get a degree from Notre Dame on... Show moreOne of the oldest of a family of 11 kids. Catholic family, 5 boys 6 girls. Parents were very religious. Went to get a degree from Notre Dame on accounting after war, became an accountant. Lived in Philadelphia. Moved to Franklin, NH later. Part of "Yankee Division." Machine gunner. Was at some of the worst battles in Europe. Shot in the right leg by another machine gunner. Stories that he was chlorine gassed in the trenches, but no proof has been found, may have been legend. Donator has a cousin who is a WWI reenactor. Has journal recording every day life. Described how to use the machine gun. There is a cynical poem in the journal written by probably another soldier in France. Journal includes detail stories about the trenches. Talks about going to church and being sick. Talks about Algerians fighting alongside with him. At Chateau Tererry: "over the top" "wounded by machine gun bullet." Shopped him to a base in Scotland where he met the nurse he married. Carried journal with him everywhere. His best friend was in a unit with him, friend married subject's sister. Friend killed at Chateau Tererry, where subject was wounded by machine gun. Was in school at the start of the war, had not gone to college yet (not known for sure). Born around 1899 or 1900. Graduated high school. He enlisted. Family was French Canadian who came to work in the mills such as those in Lowell and Manchester. Show less