Temporary record

The two sons of Hattie C. Shaw of Swampscott, Mass., were volunteers for overseas service during the First World War. From 1915 through 1917, Charles B. Shaw had been working as a clerk for General Electric in Schenectady, N.Y., but as the war machinery cranked up, Charlie was drawn into the service, enlisting in the late summer, 1917, and was assigned as a senior Field Clerk to the General Headquarters of the A.E.F. from October 1917 through the end of the war. After training in Texas, Charlie's brother, Clarence Freeman Shaw (Free, to his family) served in the ground support for the 103rd Aero Squadron in France, arriving in March, 1918.

Scope and contents:

The Shaw Family Papers include approximately 250 letters from Charles B. Shaw to his mother, written between 1915 and 1925, and approximately 100 letters from Free Shaw to his mother, 1917-ca.1920, plus a few miscellaneous items from other correspondents. Before the war, Charlie Shaw's letters include some fascinating materials relating to the growth of war spirit among the citizens of Schenectady, including interesting descriptions of public meetings, parades, rallies and speeches designed to encourage support for American intervention, and during this time, the increase in Charlie's enthusiasm for the war in palpable. Among the pre-war letters are two describing a massive strike at G.E. in October, 1916.

M-3089

Subjects

Family--New York (State)
World War, 1914-1918

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