Dearest Mother:- Arriaved safe some where in England had very pleasant journey, feeling fine. Clara

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1 xxxxxx-38 YMCA Postcard Addressed to: Mrs. Charles Walde 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester N.Y. USA Return Address: Clara L. Walde A.N.C. U.S.A. Base Hosp. no 19 American Expeditionary Forces Dearest Mother:- Arriaved safe some where in England had very pleasant journey, feeling fine. Clara

2 xxxxxx-39a 39b 39c Envelope Addressed to: Mrs. Chas. Walde, 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester, N.Y. U.S.A. Return Address: Clara L. Walde A.N.C. Base Hosp. 19 A.E.F. via, New York. Postcard 39a Front: in German reads Herzliche Ostergrusse Has picture of a church with blue flowers and purple bells Back: Dearest Mamma & Dad- I was so in hopes I might be with you for Easter, but I know you will all have a very happy one and Ill think of you all day- may this little greeting find you all well and I hope to return some day soon Love and kisses Clara. Postcard 39b Front: U.S. National Guard- Camp McClellan, Anniston, Ala. Back: Addressed to: Miss Olga Walde 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester N.Y. Dear Sis:- Just a few lines to ask you to send me my black sailer hat (summer hat). As its very warm here and I don t want to buy another while here. I am sending my winter one home with other things- will write soon send hat as soon as you can lovingly Clara.

3 xxxxxx-39 (con t) Postcard 39c Front: Le Havre- La Place Gambetta Back: Addressed to: Mr. Chas. Walde. 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester, N.Y. U.S.A. June 19/18 Dear Dad & All:- I suppose this brings back memories to Olga and your self. The great sea port we are passing through while (some where in France). I hope I shall soon get a letter from but don t know when we will reach our destination. Love Clara.

4 xx Envelope *(postmarked: Army Post Office) *nurse s mail Addressed to: Mrs. Chas. Walde 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester N.Y. U.S.A. Return Address: Clara L. Walde A.N.C. U.S. Evacuation Hosp Neuenahr Germany Letter 1 Write soon at this address if you cant me have that let me know Tuesday noon Dearest Lillian & Ben!- Surly mental telepathy has proven its self in this case all the forenoon while I was fitting our traveling uniform and shoping for the many things we need I was think of you dear, and to my surprise when returning to hotel found your letter waiting me I sure was very happy to get such a good letter I know I shall have a happy time when I come home. Now referring to coming that I cannot exactly say I carried the idea 2 when leaving Camp McClellan that I would immeaditally receive a leave of absence but little did I realize that there would be so much to be done since we arriaved here we have been constantly running the streets and Ave[nue] s including Fifth as we are located near the corner of same and Washington square so far we have fitted our gray uniforms to wear abroad rain coat our heavy ulster and our blue traveling suits home just finished our last fittings to day I surly am 3 not sorry this afternoon we go to Cowards shoe store get three pairs of shoes 1 pr. Rubber boots from there we go to the 71 st Armory to drill for the big red cross parade which takes place next Saturday afternoon it is very necessary that we must all march I believe there will be at least 900 army nurses marching in those very attractive uniforms. Wish you might see them but you surly will in the movies next week. We drill again tonight at some place

5 xx (con t) 4 tomorrow a.m. at Waldorf Astoria Ball room the same every afternoon and even until Saturday in connection with French classes every mornings and all the shoping and running about so you see dear I will need some rest when I come home I am completely tired out I called on Vall last Thursday night found Austin and Emma there they were very nice to me had Ada with me. Then Emma and Val called at hotel one afternoon went to drove with some 5 of girls last Friday night. Vals girl is very cute so is buster. I called up yesterday on phone but Austin and Emma had just gone on noon train was very much dissapointed as I wanted Austin to give mama a message not to worry but would come home as soon as I can get permission you don t understand the army rules but my leave goes through many hands although I have 15 days coming to me after being in service 6 6 months that don t count now that we are mobalizing for over seas duty. However Miss Heal has asked permission for we six nurses from Camp. And she said that after the parade she though that we could go but please don t rely on this if possible that we can go I shall plan to leave here Sat. night so as to be home Sunday a.m. or leave Sunday some time but don t plan on anything until you get 7 my wire which I shall send the very moment I receive word that I come. And I shall hurry with all my might. You can expect to see a real soldier girl I shall not state my bregalia that you will have to see for your self. I hope the tailor does not dissapoint us and has them for Saturday but think of it dear there are one hundred nurses in our unit all the suits to get out this week. They are working night & day 8 I am so ancious to see dear junior and all I can hardly wait. But don t expect another letter as much as I like to write for I am very busy. the folks I hope they got my trunk home all right I shall enclose the check to you for its all paid for only the delivery to the house from station. I hope you will meet Ada and I when we arriave in your great auto no trolly car for since I have had all the 9 car sickness I want for a while however I love the ride but I it. Wow honey they may be a few things you can do for me when I get home which will please me greatly. To tell the truth kid I shall need money to come home and return as we have been under great expence here and don t know how much longer it will last. However my pay goes on the same but don t get it until the first of June then I have back pay coming as the government is very slow. 10 but we are told all will be paid before we leave here for France that sounds good. If you could send me $10 I could get through then I shall send you the same when I get my salary. That will bring me home perhaps the folks could give me the same amount for

6 xx them wanted to know if I want something or money instead I shall appreciate that more than you know as you understand I must pay my own way and expenses for leave but I know you will not refuse me dear so I can get home. Lovingly clara

7 xxxxxx-39 Envelope *nurses mail Addressed to: Mrs Charles Walde 185 Parkside Av Rochester NY USA Letter 1 On board ship. Dearest mother dad & all:- It has been raining all day so Ada and I planned to write letters. This has been a very pleasent voyage with the execption of a few days rain and a little roughness- so far I have been very well and comfortable not the least bit sea sick. I should like to write a more interesting letter but I know the censor would disaprove. We don t get up very early have breakfast 8 45 roll call 9 30 followed by drills and physical exercise- that finishes the morning section. Luncheon to 3 30 band concert followed by tea & waffers. 2 drills and exercises again roll call 6p.m. dinner We retire early. Ada is very well and enjoying the trip. I looked for your letter before my departure as I had not heard since you left N.Y. but I know you were very busy but I hope some one of you will write me often I shall look forward to dear Dads letter with as much pleasure as I did at Camp. I should like him to send the addresses he wished me to look up some time before I return. I shall be very glad to get down to real work again it realy seems ages since I left camp and it gets very tiresome doing nothing. Now mother dear I hope you wont worry about me 3 as I am very well and happy to do this great work and it wont be long when I shall join you all. I shall write you often and as much as I can or am permitted to. And if I should skip some time just think that I am very busy or so located that I cannot get mail to you. Now a word about the insurance have you received any papers to that affect if not let me know and I shall write to Washington about the matter. Did you receive the group picture that was taken in (name scratched out)? I meant to tell Olga while in N.Y. about the 4

8 xxxxxx-39 large picture giving the entire view of Camp McClellan that belongs to me also group picture of nurses from Camp Ada also has one of the same speaking of the latter one. I hope you will pass my letter on to Lillian and George when I write and it will save me writing so much. Loads of love to you all I shall write again when I reach my destination. Lovingly Clara Clara L. Walde A.N.C. U.S. Army Base Hosp. No. 19 American Expeditionary Forces P.S. its so cold that we have to wear our heavy coats and sweaters most of time. (name at bottom, assumed to be the censor)

9 xxxxxx-40 No Envelope Letter 1 Somewhere in France Mrs. Chas Walde, 185 Parkside Ave. Rochester N.Y. Dearest Mother dad & Olga:- A month has passed since our arrival here and I am still looking patiently for a letter from home as yet I received none however I know you are thinking of me and I will just keep on looking for a few words from home and hope it wont be long. I received a few lines from Mrs. Giddings which she wrote while you were in the office she said she would write me the following day but I have not received the same. I hope you are well dear Mother and all the rest and also hope you don t worry about me I am very well and happy in this great undertaking but working 2 hard we are very busy I wish I might write you more fully about the doing s but cannot so you see there is little left to write you. Some of our girls have been ill but are much better I think our journey was a little to much for them as it was for us all. Mother did you receive 30 dollars which I sent you from here through the American Express Company? If not you may look for it as the company will inform you when it arriaves- I feel dear mother that I owe it to you and much more so spend it as you need itor for yourself. I don t know whether I told you about the allotment I intended making out to you. Well I have 3 signed for same since my arrival here you will receive a check for the amount thirty dollars every month beginning the month of August as a rule you can look for same regularly the first of every month- if- a month should pass and you don t receive it inform the local Red Cross of Rochester and they will look into the matter for you or write Washington directly. Dear mother I want to make it plain to you about this above matter, the checks you receive for the following four (4) months I wish you to keep for your self making a total of $150. dollars including the thirty I have sent by express. The checks you receive beginning December from then on please deposit in banks 4 for me so I will have some-thing to fall back on when I return, however if at any time you need the money use it for I should be unhappy if you did not for you have all-ways

10 xxxxxx-40 done so much for me; I wish you would return the $10 Lillian sent me she wished me to keep same but I feel they need every penny they can get. Tell her I shall write her next time. Did you receive the group picture taken in N.Y.C. all so the honor Roll of our Base Hosp. please let me know in ans. To this letter also the express money order if you received it. Give Dad my very best wishes for a happy birthday. I am enclosing a card which I hope he will like some what different to ours at home but the is very natural 5 and I hope before another one passes I will be home to join you all in the great celebration. I will think of him that day and for that matter always hope he will write me often please write me every week at least so I get some mail for I long to hear from you and mail is so uncertain here I must stop for I have gone beyond the limited space for writing letters here, loads of love to you dear ones and take good care of your-self. I will write often- give everyone my love, lovingly, Clara Be sure and add via N.Y. so mail will reach me sooner C.L.Walde Base Hosp. 19 American Exp. Forces via N.Y. *on back of page 5: the heat has been intense here for past few days very little rain since we arriaved.

11 xxxxxx-41 No Envelope Letter 1 Perhaps some of you can return to N.Y. when I come back from here if you like. Friday Evening Dearest Mother & Olga :- I received your telegram this afternoon was very much sur-prised. Did you not get my special letter from N.Y.? If not I am sorry had been waiting word from Washington about coming home have not yet heard. But expect to come home before I leave if only for a few hours so please don t worry. I intended writing yesterday but our time is well taken up 2 there is so much for each one of us to have and do before we are all ready and so many things have to be done with-out fail every day so when evening comes we are very tired. Tuesday night I went over to Valls Ada & I and found Aunt L. & Emma there much to my sur-prise they treated us very kindly, and Vall & Emma were visiting us in return here at Hotel when your tel- 3 egram came. Now mother dear & all please don t worry I am coming home by hook or crook to see you all before leaving I hope to go over to see Mrs. Vahle at before I leave here. I don t know when I shall find time. We are drilling at the Armory every other day for the big red cross parade which takes place next week. We all expect 4 to be in uniform then something different than I ever wore. I shall bring all my clothes home everything and let the girls all wear them out. As we will then be like the soldiers. I will have my pictures taken and bring them home we have our last fitting tomorrow morning I think they plan on our staying here until 5 we are all fully equiped so nothing will be in our way. But don t think I shall go without coming home just as soon as I get word that I can come I shall wire you at once. Love from Vall Emma & Aunt L. Lovingly Clara. Did my trunk get home yet? Write me the news.

12 xxxxxx-42 No Envelope Letter 1 (top) bushels of love to all:- will enclose a special stamp so you can send that right on. Wednesday a.m. 8 a.m. Dearest Olga:- Your special came a few minuts ago and I am going to ans. It right away as I have to go to roll call at 9 a.m. and drill again for the parade Saturday at 10 a.m. which will take all forenoon and heaven knows what this aft. program is. I am very tired sis drilling every day twice at the army for 2 and three hours besides all other running around to fill our equipment, but then 2 too its great pleasure getting these many things which we would never wear in civilian life O kid I am some soldier when I get in uniform hope the taylor will have it finished for the parade as they are working day and night for our unit 100 and 24 nurses. My dear sis that money order surly looks good to me as I only have a few cents over 2 dollars left. Would have had more had we been paid before we left Camp all that was coming to us but they promise all will be given us before we leave for France even our expence 3 money from last Nov. going to Camp we have not yet received also coming here from Camp. and our stay here is costing something of course the hotel bill is paid but there is so much car fare and hundred and one things we must buy to take that the government does not furnish. Now sis dear don t worry I am coming home but it wont be until after this parade which takes place Sat. aft. next. Miss Heal said she thought after that that we might be able to go if I can I will try to leave here Sat. night or Sunday but don t plan on it until you get my 4 (back of page 1) wire I will send it just as soon as I get the word go. Believe me dearest I will be happy to come home and stay there until my return. I got a nice letter from Lillian yesterday ans it right away. She also asked me to come have all the company there you like she said but you cant leave 185. thats just like her. I told her I wanted them to meet me in auto. Now sis dear I would certainly appreciate $10- if you would send it over that would see me through to R. and back. I will get a round trip ticket here which is cheaper, as you know the government does not pay my expences there and back but I shall pay it back. When I get my pay as I know you 5 need every cent you have and I will be very happy if you do that I would not have asked for it only that you mentioned it. but don t know when I get my money although good and was figuring out how I would get home. Now honey I must stop hoping next

13 xxxxxx-42 week at this time I shall be with you all I sent my trunk check which is paid $2.10 on in Lillians letter yesterday the receipt for same I shall give 6 you the carting expenses when I get there. I am so glad it is home as I many things in there I prize very much I have surprises for you all. Now dears don t worry but I shall wire you as soon as I get the word which I shall spring again on Miss Heal Friday or Sat. after parade. Did Austin (?) and Emma call you up when they came home? Write me again soon give me love to George & wish I could take time Top of page 5 To write them but I am very busy. Write again wont you. Lovingly Clara.