A Doughboy overseas

On the 9th August 1918, 100 years ago today, Private Solomon Wraight (my Great Uncle) was serving overseas in the machine gun company of the 315th infantry regiment of the United States Army.

Solomon had been born in Lambeth, Surrey on the 22nd May 1895, the eldest child of Solomon and Alice Wraight (nee Uden). The family, originally from Kent moved to Wandsworth, Surrey in 1894/95 and by 1911 the Wraight family were living in Battersea, Middlesex with both Solomon and his father working as carpenters / joiners.

In August 1915, Solomon emigrated to the USA, and found employment as a carpenter in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, eventually becoming a naturalised American citizen in May 1917 and enlisting in the United States Army in October 1917.

His younger brother William, also a carpenter by trade, had joined the Royal Navy Air Service in March 1917.

Solomon Wraight 

American troops, under the command of General Pershing, started to arrive in ever increasing numbers in France during the summer of 1918 offsetting the temporary numerical advantage the Germans held on the Western front since the collapse of Russia.

The official history of the 315th Infantry describes the arrival in Brest, France of the Regiment on the 18th July. It is likely that Solomon arrived in later waves, as not all the regiment arrived in France at the same time, however Solomon is likely to have had similar experiences.

“We marched through the back streets of Brest and out into the country about six kilometres, where we were ushered into a nice wet field and ordered to pitch tents. This was called a rest camp but all we did was carry water and rations for about a mile or so, and hustle field ranges, baggage etc.”

After 4 days they left the rest camp for the 10th training area.

“After three wonderful days and nights on the train, we were put off at a place called Vivey-Chalmessin. Nobody knew where we were, or what we were going, so we pitched tents in a neighbouring field, and it was here that we were introduced to Vin Rouge while waiting for somebody to give an order. The next morning we started for Chatoillenot, arriving after a hike of 18 kilometers, and there we were billeted. 

The next six weeks formed the most strenuous period in the history of the machine gun company, and the drill was long and tough.”

Sources
The Official History of the 315th Infantry USA.