Chester Dobbs Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
College of William and Mary
Special Collections Research Center
Earl Gregg Swem Library
College of William and Mary
400 Landrum Drive
PO 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (757) 221-3090
Fax: (757) 221-5440
Restrictions:

Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.

Terms of access:

Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.

Preferred citation:

Chester Dobbs Lettesrs, 1919 January-Augist, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:
0.01 Linear Feet
Creator:
Dobbs, Chester Blaine
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Chester Dobbs Lettesrs, 1919 January-Augist, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Three letters from Chester Dobbs to his mother and his girlfriend written while he was stationed at Marseilles and Brest, France at the end of World War I while serving in Company A of the 11th Regiment of the United States Marines. He reports on his activities at his duty stations, dances held for the troops, food service, and baseball games that keep everyone occupied as they all await their next orders. Most hope to go home, but Dobbs is realistic about the need for many to serve in occupied Germany and looks at the opportunities that could come along with an extended stay in Europe. Additionally, Dobbs makes a comparison to the segregated Marines food mess as compared to his own. His opinion is that the colored mess hall serves far better food than any other.