Francis J. Walsh correspondence
Overview
This collection includes letters from Francis and wife Blanche Walsh to his parents, letters from Francis' parents to him, and various letters from Francis' friends during World War II. The bulk of the collection dates from the years 1942-1945, with only a few items included on either side of those dates.
Dates
- Creation: 1932 - 1950
Creator
- Walsh, Francis J., 1920-1990 (Author, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
No access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.
Biography of Francis J. Walsh
Francis Walsh was born in 1920 in Missouri. He was drafted during World War II but avoided going overseas by joining the Air Force Band. He exchanged several letters with his parents and friends during his time stationed in Utah at Wendover Field.
During the course of the war, Francis married and divorced Blanche Davidson. A series of letters from 1944 suggests that Francis may have been having an affair with a woman named Lynn Powell. Walsh also actively attempted to get himself discharged from the military by faking health problems in 1945 (a letter to his parents asks them to be careful who they speak to about this, so as to not reveal Francis's intention).
Francis Walsh returned to Missouri after the war, married Celestine Mary Sparks, and died in 1990.
Extent
1 linear foot (1 box)
Language of Materials
English
Physical Location
RH MS 1314
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchase, Charles Apfelbaum, 2013.
- Title
- Guide to the Francis J. Walsh collection
- Subtitle
- Francis J. Walsh correspondence
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by hc, 2014; revised by mhr, 2015
- Date
- 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Finding aid written in English.
- Finding aid permalink
- http://hdl.handle.net/10407/1945392515
- Preferred citation
-
Francis J. Walsh correspondence, RH MS 1314, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas Libraries.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository