Albert Newlove WWI Letters

This collection includes 49 letters and postcards written by Albert W. Newlove to his parents in Arroyo Grande, California. In his letters, Newlove describes military life, sailing to Europe, the French countryside, his eagerness for battle, and observations of German prisoners. Newlove enlisted with the U.S. Marine Corps in early 1918, and trained at Mare Island, California. He was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division (5th Regiment, 17th Company) and fought on the Western Front in France. In October 1918, Newlove was stricken with influenza and recuperated in a hospital near Bordeaux. Upon return to duty he was assigned to serve in the Army of Occupation stationed in the vicinity of Neuwied, Germany. Once discharged Newlove returned to San Luis Obispo County.

The letters were written between February 1918 and June 1919. Many of the letters were mailed from “somewhere in France,” and the later letters, dated November 1918 through June 1919 were sent from Germany.