Title: Thomas I. Fitzgerald Diary

Date/Date Range :   1918 May 10-1919 June 27

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

This diary, written by Thomas I. Fitzgerald during World War I, documents his journey from the United States to France, his experiences on the Western Front, and his return to Tennessee.

Call number: MS-3182

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

The University of Tennessee Special Collections Library purchased this collection in May of 2004.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Thomas I. Fitzgerald Diary, MS-3182. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

This collection consists of one folder.

Thomas Irby Fitzgerald was born in Trenton, Tennessee on 11 September 1891. In October of 1917, he enlisted in the United States Army and was shipped to France to fight in the front lines of World I. Following the war, he returned home to Trenton. He died in May of 1984 in Nashville, Tennessee.

This diary provides a detailed account of life in combat during World War I. The entries begin with Fitzgerald discussing the strenuous training in camp. Once in France, he provides detailed accounts of his movements. He also discusses trench warfare and the absence of open warfare, in both instances mentioning continuous shelling and machine gun fire. Fitzgerald spends much of his writing time illustrating the weight of his pack and its ability to ruin long marches. On 1918 November 11, Fitzgerald hears of the Armistice, and the war is over. His company held a divisional parade for the King and Queen of Belgium as well as General John J. Pershing. Fitzgerald returned home in June of 1919.

The diary itself is military issue. In the front there is a short translation list from French to English, as well as a metric conversion chart. Illustrations in the book allow one to readily identify an officer in the United States Army or Navy by his insignia. Fitzgerald also included an address list, a medical supply list, and a pressed flower from France in the diary.

• World War, 1914-1918 -- Participation, American.
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, American.
• World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- France.
• Gibson County (Tenn.) -- History.