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Hector C. Henderson's letters to Mae Josephine Gillette

 Collection
Call Number: MS 311

Overview

These letters were written by Hector C. Henderson, serving as a private (later promoted to corporal) in the 1st Wellington Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Force to his American pen pal, Mae Josephine Gillette in Winsted, Connecticut. Writing first from New Zealand and later from England, France, and Germany, with his observations and experiences of World War I. Also in the collection are various photographs.

Dates

  • Creation: 1915 - 1919

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

No access restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

Spencer Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 document case)

Language of Materials

English

Scope and Contents

In the collection are letters written by Hector C. Henderson, serving as a private (later promoted to corporal) in the 1st Wellington Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Force to his American pen pal, Mae Josephine Gillette in Winsted, Connecticut. Writing from New Zealand, England, France, and Germany, Hector filled 41 letters (237 pages) and 2 postcards with his observations and experiences of World War I.

The first letter, sent from New Zealand in 1915, is written in shorthand (Gregg method). They probably became acquainted through a shorthand pen-pal club. A 1916 letter notes that the military does not allow the sending of shorthand letters. The rest of the correspondence, written in pen or pencil on a variety of papers, is in ordinary cursive script. In November 1918, he mentions his engagement to an English girl, and the correspondence ends in 1919 at the end of the war. Henderson's letters must have been kept by Mae, who married Benjamin J. Wood of Millinocket, Maine.

Also in the collection are various photographs. Some show Mae at various ages, her parents, and other family members; one shows Hector Henderson.

Physical Location

MS 311

Title
Guide to the Henderson-Gillette World War I Collection
Subtitle
Hector C. Henderson's letters to Mae Josephine Gillette
Author
Finding aid prepared by eear, 2013. Finding aid encoded by eear, 2013.
Date
2013
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Finding aid written in English.
Finding aid permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/10407/0750853257
Preferred citation
Hector C. Henderson's letters to Mae Josephine Gillette, MS 311, Kenneth Spencer Research Library, University of Kansas

Repository Details

Part of the University of Kansas. Kenneth Spencer Research Library Repository

Contact:
1450 Poplar Lane
Lawrence KS 66045-7616 United States
785-864-4334