Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Papers
Title
Ward B. Bates Scrapbook
Date(s)
- 1915-1919 (Accumulation)
Extent
2.0 linear feet (1 oversize box)
Name of creator
Biographical history
Lt. Bates was born in Yankton, South Dakota February 17, 1895. His father was U.S. Deputy Surveyor, Charles Homer Bates, who surveyed the border between South Dakota and North Dakota from 1891-1892.Ward Bates attended the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. He was enlisted in the Army National Guard from December 1, 1912 to December 1. 1915, when he was honorably discharged. Prior the United States entrance in the First World War, Bates re-enlisted and eventually sought out an officer’s commission, which he was granted on August 15, 1917. Bates served as part of the large U.S. force descending on Europe known as the American Expeditionary Force. (A.E.F.) Bates served as a second lieutenant of field artillery and traveled the United States with other newly commissioned officers. Bates was honorably discharged August 1, 1919. After the war, Bates moved to California and met his wife Eunice Morey Wolcott. They had one child, Nancy Farley. Bates died October 21, 1946.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection consists of a leather-bound scrapbook belonging to 2nd Lt. Ward B. Bates and contains 139 documents, seventy-two maps, 263 photographs, and eighty-one picture postcards. The photographs cover Bates' time in training at his various duty stations. Some of the photographs include Bates and other officers enjoying their time on liberty before heading to the battlefield. Battlefield images are those taken by Bates as well as the personal pictures of Major Joseph Mills Hansen who was the Chief Historian of the A.E.F. Some photographs depict those dead after an assault. Documents include an assortment of U.S. Service Club membership cards and also Officer Club membership cards. The scrapbook holds Bates' honorable discharge paper from the Army National Guard. There are also numerous copies of various orders passed down to the many officers of field artillery. All orders pertained to the movement of the newly commissioned officers, including Bates. Orders came down from the War Department and would give time and place of the new duty station. Bates traveled from Ft. Dodge, Iowa, to Ft. Snelling, Minnesota. Other duty stations included Camp Logan of Houston, Texas and Camp Jackson of Columbia, South Carolina. General Order No. 23 in particular deals with Bates division once they reached Paris, France and how they were to go about setting up camp, care of personnel and supplies, and interaction with locals. There are also many newspaper clippings that document the events of World War I.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Related descriptions
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
ID
ID
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Access points
Subject access points
Place access points
Name access points
- Bates, Ward B. (Ward Bradley) 1895-1946 (Subject)