Thursday, July 7, 2011

Raymond Carpenter WW1 Draft Registration

WW1 Draft Registration Card - Side 1


WW1 Draft Registration Card - Side 2

(Click on the Images above to see a larger size)

I was at the family history library last week. When at the library, they have free access to Ancestry.com.

So I decided to do a search on Grandpa Carpenter - Raymond Linzy Carpenter (1890-1976).

I found something unusual, which I found pleasing. I hope it will pique your interest as well.

It is Grandpa's World War 1 Draft Registration. It is dated June 4, 1917. It has samples of his own handwriting, including his signature.

In case you have trouble reading it, here is what it says:

Side 1

Name in Full: Raymond L. Carpenter
Age in Years: 26
Home Address: Evanston Wyoming
Date of Birth: Oct 10, 1890
Natural Born Citizen
Where Born: Evanston, Wyo USA
Present Trade or Occupation: Locomotive Fireman
By Whom Employed: Union Pacific RR Co
Where Employed: Evanston, Wyo
Any Dependents? Wife, Child 1 yr
Marital Status: Married
Race: Caucasian
Military Experience: None


Side 2
Height: Tall
Build: Med
Color of Eyes: Blue
Color of Hair: Sandy
Bald? No
Any Missing Appendages or Disabilities? No
Registrar Signature: J.B. Martin
City, State: Evanston, Wyo
Dated: June 4, 1917


We could note that June 4, 1917 was near the end of WW1. I believe the actual ending date of WW1 was on November 11, 1917. Grandpa Carpenter was never called upon to serve in the military. Who knows what may have happened had the war gone on for much longer.

It was fun to me to see something that Grandpa Carpenter actual wrote, in his own hand. It was also fun to see a snapshot of his family life and occupation at that time -- Especially the part about being a locomotive fireman.

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