Sidney D. Light's WWI Diary, Postcards & Letters, 329th Battery Book Accounts

        Defying shot and shell through the darkness of the night and the uncertainties of the day, the Salvation Army went hand in hand with our boys in France. Sympathy and prayers, issued bounteously with doughnuts and chocolate, did more to cheer the hearts of the boys than the prospects of a Croix de Guerre.

        Our regiment was continually on the move from the time we left Humberville until we reached Pont-a-Mousson, two days after the armistice was signed. At almost every watering place, Pannes, Beney, Thiaucourt and Boullionville, we were treated to a few delicacies by the Salvation Army, but did not have time to stop for the spiritual enlightenment, although the spirit diffused by the donors brought like results. However, after becoming established at Pont-a-Mousson for a few days, three Salvation Army workers opened a hut in the city and the chance for more intimate acquaintance became possible. These workers were Ensign W. L Price of Savannah, Ga., Captain Signa L Saunders, of Minneapolis, and Lieutenant Myrtle L. Turkington, of South Manchester, Conn.

        Miss Saunders had been a member of the Salvation Army for several years before entering the Officers’ Training School at Chicago in 1914. She finished the school, after six months training, as a Lieutenant, and was made a Captain a year and a half later. She came to France on the same ship which carried Ensign Price, the French liner "Rochambeau." They landed at Bordeauz on April 19, 1918. Her first appointment was Lagney, to which place she was sent in company of two other women workers. The condition of Lagney and the surrounding country, being well known to us, will reveal the very discouraging field given to a young lady just coming to a strange country from a land like ours.

        Six weeks later she was sent to the St. Mihiel front, where she located a hut in L’Ermitage woods, only four kilos form the front line trenches. During the drive she and her companions were doing hospital work for Field Hospital No. 166, 42^nd Division. One week after the drive they followed the 89^th Division to Boullionville, where they stayed for ten days, then moved to Thiaucourt and remained for seven weeks. Miss Saunders  came to Pont-a-Mousson the early part of December with Miss Turkington, whom she met in L’Ermitage woods, and Ensign Price.

        Miss Turkington came to France on the French ship "Espagne," which reached port at Bordeaux on December 17, 1917.  She came as a cadet, not having time to complete her course in the training school at New York City.  She was commissioned as a Lieutenant in March, 1918, at St. Joire.  Her first appointment was Bonnet, followed by St. Joire, St. Ansonville, Menil la Tour, Lagney, Thiaucourt, Bouillionville, L’Ermitage woods and Pont-a-Mousson.

       A small band of Salvation Army workers, among whom was Miss Turkington, had established a hut in St. Ansonville and were working with the 26^th Division when the German surprise attack was made on the night of April 19^th.  They were under a gas barrage from 4:00 until 8:00 a.m.  After the Huns had been checked the hut opened and served hot chocolate and pies to the tired fighters. This was the beginning of the heavy American fighting. A few days later the girls, against their wishes, were taken farther back by means of a buckboard and under heavy shell fire. General Buck, commanding the 3^rd Division, also make them leave the L’Ermitage woods during the St. Mihiel drive.

        About 8:00 o’clock in the evening of November 10^th, while Miss Saunders and Miss Turkington were sitting in their hut at Thiaucourt writing letters, a shrapnel burst just outside the door, splintering it and casting fragments of stone, wood, lead and steel about the hut. It was very providential that the lives of the girls were saved. Many dangerous happenings fell to the lot of the Salvation Army workers at the front. As they go where they are most needed they have been able to see the greater part of France.

        The brave men and women of the Salvation Army have done much to lighten the hearts of soldiers, to encourage and inspire them and give them a message as coming from home.