June A. Dowling Papers

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:

Email: spcoll@wm.edu

Phone: (757) 221-3090

Fax: (757) 221-5440

Web: swem.wm.edu/scrc

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:

June A. Dowling Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Summary

Extent:

0.50 Linear Feet

Creator:

Dowling, June A., 1893-1990

Language:

English French

Preferred citation:

June A. Dowling Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.

Background

Scope and content:

Papers of Sergeant June A. Dowling, consisting of a diary, 1917-1919, photographs, postcards, a French magazine, and a travel permission, all documenting Sergeant Dowling's World War I tour of duty in France.

The diary describes Dowling's military experiences in the U.S. and throughout France - Romorantin, Libourne, Marseilles. He mentions important dates such as October 30, 1918 when Austria surrendered to the Allies and November 11, 1918 when Germany signed the Armistice. Dowling was promoted to Corporal and then to Sergeant by the end of the diary. The diary includes names and addresses of fellow soldiers and French women Dowling met during his duty in France.

A travel permit and a card advertising a tax-exempt subscription to 'L'Emprunt de la Liberation' are also present.

The folder contains the following photographs: group of 487th Aero Squadron soldiers in Romorantine, France; Funeral of 487th Sgt McMillian of NY, died Libourne, France; Building used as YMCA in Romorantine, France; Paupers Cemetery, soldiers with bones, near Libourne, France; soldiers at the beach in Marseilles; Herbert Sloan with horse; Model T Ford in Texas; Joe B. Davis of La Grange, GA; three generations of Dowling men, taken in Orlando, Florida. Many of the photos have subject, names and description with place and date.

The folder contains postcards from France, St. Simons Island, Georgia, and two souvenir folder postcards of Hartford, Connecticut and New York City.

This French magazine contains 21 pages of stories, cartoons of wartime Paris life along with interesting advertising. There is a handwritten note on the front cover which reads: 'This magazine bought in Romorantin, France in August 1918 by June A Dowling.'

Biographical / historical:

Sergeant June A. Dowling, 487th Aero Squadron, U.S. Air Service. Sergeant Dowling's family originated in Valdosta, Georgia. His father fought for the South in the Civil War, family relocated to Orlando, Florida, and son Bill fought in World War W II.

According to diary entries, June A. Dowling was promoted to corporal in November 1918 and to Sergeant in March 1919.

Acquisition information:

Purchase.

Processing information:

Accessioned and described by Ute Schechter, Warren E. Burger Archivist, and rehoused by Vicki O'Brien, SCRC Staff, in April 2009.

Physical / technical requirements:

The fragile condition of some items in this collection may limit handling.

Related

Related material:

The two books listed below were originally part of the June A. Dowling Papers. They have been separated from this collection and catalogued.

"Tommy Atkins at War, As Told In His Own Letters", by James A. Kirkpatrick published 1914. Tommy Atkins, or Tommy, is a term for a common soldier in the British Army that was already well established in the nineteenth century, but is particularly associated with World War One. The 4 ½ x 7 inch 127 page book contains the British soldiers World War I stories complied from their own letters. This book is now available at Swem Library, call number D544 .K4 1914.

"Legion Airs, Songs of "Over There" and "Over Here", compiled and edited by Frank E. Peat and Lee Orean Smith published in 1932. The 7 x 11 inch and contains over a 100 songs from World War II such as Over There, You're In The Army Now, It's A Long Way To Tipperary, Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag, The Old Gray Mare Hinky-Dinky, and Parley-Voo. This book is now available at Swem Library, call number ML3561.W3 L44 1932.

Indexed terms

Subjects:

World War, 1914-1918--France--Personal narratives
World War, 1914-1918--France--Pictoral works
Diaries
Journals (periodicals)
Permits
Photographs
Postcards