A cold day and we had a very good time cleaning and fixing the hut. Especially interesting was making fudge in a two quart pan, the boys eat while it is hot. In the night we had cocoa and there was a big rush to get the first cup, just like a lot of children. The most fun is making the fudge in the small pan and hearing the boys saying, “My turn,” and, “I’m next.” “It’s real homemade!” It was great.
More Information
The following section provides historical context and is not part of the original diary entry.
Likely location: Bure / Meuse department, France
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December 1917 brought harsh winter conditions to northeastern France. Margaret celebrated Christmas at Bure in the Meuse department, providing holiday cheer to soldiers far from home during their first winter overseas.
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 