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purchase. Accession 2023.164 donanted by Sheila Hathaway.
This collection is arranged at the file level by series: Series I. Correspondence and Series II. Personal papers.
E.R. McElligott was born and raised in Boston Massachusetts prior to World War I by John and Elizabeth McElligott. He enlisted in the military as a draftsman and became part of the 152nd Aero Squadron assigned to Fort Slocum, New York. In late 1917, McElligott's squadron was transferred to San Antonio and then Chanute Field in Illinois. In 1918, McElligott was sent to England and then France as part of the war effort to recover and repair damaged planes. He returned to the United States in 1919. His letters cover the duration of his enlistment
E.R. McElligott Collection, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.
This collection consists of correspondence and personal papers documenting the life of E.R. McElligott, a draftsman in the 152nd Aero Squadron of the United States Army. The correspondence series contains 102 letters and several postcards written primarily by E.R. McElligott. Letters are written to various family members, particularly McElligott's sisters and parents, and describe his life in the military from enlistment to discharge. McElligott describes his travels from New York to San Antonio and finally to Illinois, England, and France. His letters give insight into the daily details, entertainments, and worries of an enlisted man as well as personal observations of various American and European cities. McElligott's letters also briefly touch on his job of salvaging and repairing damaged airplanes, although specific details regarding sensitive military information were censored. Personal papers include a special emergency card belonging to Pvt. E.R. McElligott.
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.
Letters are arranged chronologically into six folders the seventh folder holds postcards.
McElligott describes his travels from New York to San Antonio and then Illinois. He describes military housing, going on leave, and his military duties in the kitchen. He also mentions the dangers of typhoid and quarantine. McElligott sends his condolences over the death of his Uncle Richard.
McElligott writes from his base in Chanute Field, Illinois. He talks about sending money home and the payroll as well as his job as a clerk. He requests news from home and more mail as well as newspapers.
Letters from McElligott describing his transport from the United States to England. He gives his impressions of the English countryside and people. He briefly mentions working with the Royal Air Corps but can reveal no more due to censorship of letters.
Letters from McElligott from England in which he admires English hospitality. He explains that he cannot write very much about his service because of censorship. He requests more mail from home.
Letters from E.R. McElligott while stationed in England. He mentions his job recovering and working on airplanes. He also inquires about the war effort at home in the United States. In these letters, McElligott frequently complains about the slowness of the mail.
Consists of letters from E.R. McElligott to his parents and sisters describing his time in England and France, including some details of his military service and his sight-seeing. There are also a few letters from family friends in the service writing to the McElligotts.
Includes various postcards sent by E.R. McElligott to his family from Fort Slocum, New York, San Antonio, Texas, England, and France. Also included is a publication from Chanute Field, Illinois.