October 1917

 

In February of 1917 there were 322,000 men serving in the American military.
By October of that year that number had swelled to 1,675,000.
It was six months (October of 1917) before U.S. troops were ready for combat and shipped overseas.

In October 1917, the New York Times tells stories about athletic contests that are being held at Fort Slocum. They include track and field events, bicycle races, and grenade tossing. There were also rifle and bayonet demonstrations. The Fort Slocum military band played at various events in New Rochelle, also.

A New York Times article of October 17, 1917 recorded that various entertainers were going to Fort Slocum to entertain the troops. They included Scottish entertainer, Harry Lauder, opera singer Max Rabinoff and monologist (comedian) Julius Tannen.

Julius Tannen

Sir Harry Lauder

The "October Revolution" begins in Russia.

The War Risk Insurance of October 1917 goes into effect.

No letter from Ervin.

September 1917

Colonel H. P. Kingsbury, Inf. Commanded Fort Slocum September 1917 To December 1919.

A New York Times article dated September 30, 1917 read: "BASEBALL AT FORT SLOCUM" says that soldiers at Fort Slocum held an athletic carnival yesterday at the fort. Events included baseball, boxing, cam spree and wrestling contests. The Fort Slocum all-post team defeated the Fort Schyler team. The second all-post team defeated the Fort Wadsworth team.

No letters from Ervin.

July 1917

No letters from Ervin.

Draft Registration June 1917

June 26 First US troops (1st Division) arrive in France.

The New York Times article dated June 14, 1917: "AN 'AMERICANIZED FOREIGN LEGION'" is written by a man who visited Fort Slocum to say good-bye to a younger brother. He notes that a full 60 per cent of the volunteers being trained there were from various foreign countries - speaking in "foreign tongues".


Ervin's registration card reads as follows:

Form 1 3-306 REGISTRATION CARD 1138 479

1 Name in full: Ervin Reuben Wakefield Age: 27
2 Address: 66 Northfield St., Montpelier, Vt.
3 Date of birth: Jan. 21, 1890
4 Citizenship: Natural born
5 Where were you born? Hardwick, Vermont, USA
6 If not a citizen._________________________
7 Present occupation: Manager Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. St[ore]
8 By whom employed: Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.
9 Anyone depends on you for support? No
10 Married or single? Single Race: Caucasian
11 What military service have you had? Nation or State: No
12 Do you claim exemption from draft? ___________

I affirm that I have verified above answers and that they are true.

Signed: Ervin Reuben Wakefield


44 - 1 - 13 - A
REGISTRAR’S REPORT

1. Tall, medium, or short? Tall Slender, medium, or stout? Medium
2. Color of eyes? Brown Color of hair? Black Bald? No
3. Any disabilities? No

Signed by registrar [name unreadable]

City: Montpelier
State: Vermont Date: June 5, 1917

[Stamped at bottom:] Local Board, Washington County, Vt.,
[unreadable] Room 12

[Source: World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (available through ancestry.com)]