Wartime Diary and Memoirs of Helen Sheppard

Collection Summary

Title: Wartime Diary and Memoirs of Helen Sheppard
Call Number: MS 96-10
Size: 0.25 linear feet
Acquisition: Purchased from Q. M. Dabney and Co., Inc., 1996
Processed by: AG, 3-1996; JEF, 5-18-1999; MN, 2-28-2012
Restrictions: None

Literary Rights

Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Content Note

The collection contains the diary and friendship books of Helen Sheppard, an American nurse serving at the French Army Hospital at Juilly, France, during World War I. The diary describes her service from 1916-1919, her visits to many historical sites, and the fellow Americans she encountered. The friendship books include letters, reminiscences and autographs of French and American soldiers and pilots reflecting on the horrors of the war, the conduct of their regiments in battle, the German attacks and how they and their comrades were wounded. They contain a reference to American aviator Jimmy Doolittle and an eye operation he had as well as photographs, ephemera and drawings.

Detailed Description: Series Listing

Series 1 Box 1 FF 1 Diary
Series 2 Box 1 FF 2-3 Friendship Books
Series 3 Box 1 FF 4-5 Processing Notes

Detailed Description: Box and Folder Listing

Series 1 ‒ Diary

Box 1 FF 1 Diary, 1916-1919. Includes description of Sheppard's voyage to France as well as daily events that occur during her stay in France. Last page includes entry dated 1963.

Series 2 ‒ Friendship Books

Box 1 FF 2 Friendship book, 1916-1917. Includes handwritten letters, reminiscences and autographs of French and American soldiers and pilots who were patients at the hospital where Sheppard worked. Some entries include drawings, ephemera and photographs. Many entries are in French.
Box 1 FF 3 Friendship book, 1916-1918. Includes handwritten letters, reminiscences and autographs of French and American soldiers and pilots who were patients at the hospital where Sheppard worked. Some entries include drawings, ephemera and photographs. Many entries are in French.

Series 3 ‒ Processing Notes

Box 1 FF 4 Handwritten notes about the collection by Avis German, initial processor of collection, 1996.
Box 1 FF 5 Continuation of handwritten notes about the collection by Avis German, initial processor of collection, 1996.