Robert J. Godbey Collection
M2003.08
Table of Contents
Summary Information
- Repository
- UNC Asheville Special Collections and University Archives
- Title
- Robert J. Godbey Collection
- ID
- M2003.08
- Date [bulk]
- Bulk, 1918-1919
- Date [inclusive]
- 1909-1946
- Extent
- 6.2 Linear feet ; 6 boxes [One oversize]
- Physical Description
- Journals, scrapbooks, and memorabilia. Journal pages have been scanned and are available online.
- Location Note
- Boxes 1 to 5 located in Special Collections row 7, section 5 Box 6 located in Special Collections row 12, section 3
- Language
- English
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Robert J. Godbey Collection, D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina Asheville
Scope and Contents
Contains five typed personal journals [Vol. 1 is missing] of Robert J. Godbey (1894-1980), an army field clerk with the Statistical Office, Base Headquarters, Base Sec. No. 1, covering his experiences in France during World War I. Each journal is typed and bound in a ledger book. Gold embossed title on front covers reads “The Experiences of Robert J. Godbey, Army Field Clerk, as a Member of the American Expeditionary Forces from February 18, 1918 to August 12, 1919,” followed by the respective volume number. Some pages appear to have the watermark of the U.S. Army. Highly detailed narrative describes his experiences living in France as a clerk for the U.S. Army, based in Saint-Nazaire, with a primary focus on sightseeing trips. Narrative includes frequent references to Y.M.C.A. Interwoven with the text are carefully arranged images and various types of ephemera (letters, tickets, photographs, programs, etc.), which have been glued in place.
The collection also includes two scrapbooks. The first includes WWI memorabilia, aviation, and miscellaneous. items, c. 1909 to 1919. The second has newspaper clippings from 1942 to 1946 covering World War II and its aftermath.
Lastly, there is a bound edition of Stars and Stripes, from 8 February 1918 to 13 June 1919.
Administrative Information
Publication Information
UNC Asheville Special Collections and University Archives
Ramsey Library, CPO # 1500One University Heights
Asheville, North Carolina, 28804-8504
828.251.6645
speccoll@unca.edu
Rights
Any display, publication, or public use must credit the D.H. Ramsey Library, Special Collections, University of North Carolina Asheville. Copyright retained by the creators of certain items in the collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Creator
Robert J. Godbey
Processing Information
Originally processed by Special Collections staff, 2003 , 2005 , 2006 ; Scott Mckenzie. Revised finding aid text by Midori Green, visting NEH Scholar, University of Minnesota, November, 2016
Collection Inventory
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Box 1 |
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Personal journal, Vol. 2 (173 pages) |
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Begins with continuation from pervious volume regarding an illness |
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Permission to visit La Baule on July 14, 1918 |
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Leave and permission to visit Nice, Monte Carlo, Marseille, returning by Lyon, Paris, Blois, and Tours beginning October 6, 1918 |
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Narrative and images covering this trip |
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Personal journal, Vol. 3 (182 pages) |
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Continuation of trip in previous volume |
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Return to Saint-Nazaire, focus on work life |
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Request to visit Pontchateau, dated 18 January 1919 |
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Visit to Pontchateau |
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Return to Saint-Nazaire, eviction and move to new living quarters |
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Leave of Absence request, dated 17 March 1919 |
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Panthéon de la Guerre |
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Paris, Reims, Chalons-Sur-Marne, Verdun |
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Box 2 |
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Personal journal, Vol. 4 (145 pages) |
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Continuation of trip in previous volume |
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Verdun,including images of war destruction |
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Saint-Mihiel |
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Images of trenches, bones, skulls, weapons |
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Pagny-sur-Meuse, Toul, Nancy, Rimaucourt, Paris |
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Return to Saint-Nazaire |
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Pornichet |
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Document dated 17 April 1919 listing men entitled to wear War Service Chevrons |
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Document dated 3 May 1919 giving orders for travel to S.O.S. Swimming Tournament |
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Paris, Nice, Villefranche, Grasse |
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Description and photographs of swimming tournament |
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Document dated 29 May 1919 giving orders to travel to Paris to take part in the A.E.F. Swimming meet |
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Personal journal, Vol. 5 (165 pages) |
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Continuation of trip to South of France |
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Gorges Du Loup, Nice, Cannes |
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Return to Saint-Nazaire via Paris |
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Pornichet |
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AFC Godbey Identity Card (with photograph) |
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“Program of the Motor Races and Athletic Events at St. Nazaire and La Baule, May 30th, 31st, and June 1st, 1919 by AEF, Base Section No. 1” |
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Description of races |
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Paris |
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Request for permission to visit Pornichet and la Baule, dated 22 June 1919 |
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Request for permission to visit Pornichet, dated 6 July 1919 |
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Narrative about return to United States |
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Discharge papers and related documents |
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Voyage to Brest on the Artemis, and sightseeing in Brest |
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Argument between personnel over whether officers allowed to bring their dogs with them on ship back to the U.S. |
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Voyage by ship back to U.S. on the Northern Pacific (N.P.) He wanted to go back on the Levi, on which he arrived, but was unable to |
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New York City, including typed train schedules |
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Concluding remarks and end of narrative |
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Box 3 |
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Personal journal. Vol. 6 (184 pages) |
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Miscellaneous items. Includes typed list of U.S. Army Post Offices; French francs; booklet titled “America’s Way to the War in France –A Great French Railroad: Chemin De Fer De Paris A Orleans;” Pikes Peak Auto Highway souvenir ticket; photograph of a soldier; section titled “A Collection of A. E. F. Poetry” followed by typed pages of poetry; postcards and photographs (most likely souvenir reprints) mainly focusing on buildings destroyed in the war, military life, and aircraft. |
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Folder: “Daily Reminder” daily journal with dates preprinted in English. Handwritten entries February 10 – December 31, 1918 |
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Folder: Daily journal or “Agenda” preprinted with dates in French. Handwritten entries January 1 – July 17, 1919 |
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Box 4 |
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Scrapbook of WWI memorabilia, aviation, and misc. items, c. 1909-1919. Includes various loose items: telegram date July 8, 1916 from Cadillac regarding car purchase, a bank check from the 19th century; photograph of woman; and copies of the newspaper Commercial Appeal dated January 29, 1937; February 2, 1937; July 5, 1913 |
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Box 5 |
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Scrapbook of WWII memorabilia and newspaper clippings, 1942-1946 |
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Box 6 [Oversize] |
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"Complete file of, the Stars and Stripes, the official newspaper of the American Expeditionary Forces, printed in France, February 8th 1918 to June 13th 1919" |
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