Raining this morning. We had breakfast at eight o’clock. Watched some mounted French soldiers go by. They are called lance troops because they carry long lances that they use in battle. The lance will go through six men.
Stayed in the ladies kitchen till eleven-thirty then went to the tent. Had dinner and went shopping. Bought some saddle soap for our shoes, apples, a coffee pot filter, a saucepan, a casserole, and funnel and on our way back to the tent the crier beat his drum and this was the news. If you went to the city hall you could get vinegar, salad oil, gas oil, ink, and salt. These things are given every so often by the French government. Maired is the French for City Hall. Had supper, then the staff went home with us. It was raining and cold. The men could not do much on the hut, but it’s coming fine.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Demange-aux-Eaux, Meuse, France
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In October 1917, the AEF was establishing its training camps in the Meuse department of Lorraine. Margaret and Helen Purviance set up one of the first Salvation Army huts near Demange-aux-Eaux, serving soldiers of the U.S. 1st Division. This was the beginning of the famous donut-making tradition.
Research Links for Further Study
- Library of Congress. (n.d.). The American Expeditionary Forces. Library of Congress Digital Collections.
- Boissoneault, L. (2017, April 12). The women who fried donuts and dodged bombs on the front lines of WWI. Smithsonian Magazine.
- Cantwell, C. (n.d.). Doughboys & doughnut girls: The Salvation Army and WWI. National WWI Museum and Memorial.
Diary of a World War I Donut Girl 