Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/vhp.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2017655340
Collection material is in English.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
Arranged in two series: Manuscripts and Photographs
Accessioned, 2016.
Duplication of collection materials may be restricted.
Collection is open for research; access restrictions apply. To request collection materials, please contact the Veterans History Project at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/vhp.contact
Selected items from the Wallace E. Rand collection are available on the Library of Congress web site at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/eadvhp.vh017016.01.
Wallace E. Rand Collection (AFC/2001/001/102665), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress.
Wallace E. Rand was born June 24, 1893, in Rye, New Hampshire, to Jedidiah and Edith Rand. He enlisted in the United States Army on March 3, 1917, one month prior to the United States officially joining World War I. Assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 14th Engineers, he achieved the highest rank of Private First Class. Rand was deployed to Britain and first stationed with the British Expeditionary Forces before being moved to France. His duties abroad with the 14th Engineers included transporting explosives via train. Rand was involved in the Third Battle of the Aisne and the Second Battle of the Marne, and received the World War I Victory Medal for his service. Rand was injured while breaking a ration train, requiring hospitalization. During his period in the hospital, he was diagnosed with tonsillitis. Rand later returned to his duties with the 14th Engineers. While serving in France, Rand succumbed to a bout of pneumonia and died on November 7, 1918. He was buried in Gondrecourt Cemetery in France, but later repatriated to his family’s plot in Rye, New Hampshire.
The Wallace E. Rand collection consists of correspondence, photographs, military papers, and civilian papers relating to the veteran’s service during World War I. Correspondence includes letters from the veteran to his mother, and letters of condolence to Rand’s family after his death in 1918. Topics covered include mail delivery, living conditions in France, finances, injury while in France, and letters of sympathy after veteran’s death. Photographs include portraits of veteran and family portraits.
Digital content available
MS01: Terminal Relief Association dues card (1917); money order receipt for dues paid (07/01/1917).
Digital content available
MS01 Continued: Certificate of recommendation for employment as a Mason for veteran's father (11/15/1893)
Digital content available
MS02: Letters from veteran to his family, mostly his mother and sister, during his service in France during World War I. Topics covered include: Joining the engineer corps; living quarters in France; packages received; letters, explanation of mailing address; weather; leave in Paris, France, sites visited in France; request for transfer to the tank corps; influenza virus.
Digital content available
MS03: Letters of sympathy to veteran's mother after his death, including three from veteran's friend Harold Day, a letter from the American Red Cross notifying her of his burial site in Grondecourt Cemetery, France.
Digital content available
MS03 Continued: Letter of sympathy from veteran's friend, Harold Day, to veteran's mother.
Digital content available
MS04: Letter from veteran to the commanding officer requesting a transfer to Tank Corps, (06/01/1918); letter to veteran's mother regarding his place of burial (12/09/1918).
Digital content available
PH01: Portrait of Rand as an infant, Rye, New Hampshire (1898).
PH02: Harold Day (right) and Rand (left), in uniform, Paris, France (1917).
PH03: Portrait of Rand in uniform, circa 1917.
PH04: Rand (right) and his two sisters, Louise and Elinor, Rye, New Hampshire (05/1905).
PH05: Portrait of Rand, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, circa 1918.
PH06: Rand's sister, Louise (right) and an unknown person, likely in New Hampshire.