“Keep ’em smiling!” Help War Camp Community Service poster. Created by the U.S. War Department, 1918. National Archives on Flickr.
On April 6, 1917 the U.S. formally entered the First World War. The Farmington (NH) News newspaper that was published the same day seemed quiet tame for headlines, except for page 4 where “DANGER FROM GERMAN INVASION” explained why New Hampshire should be concerned about an enemy attack. By August of 1917 the news was full of recruitment articles and indoctrination war stories. A letter to the women of New Hampshire requested 500 knitted outfits–a sleeveless sweater, a muffler and a pair of wristlets to be sent to the men of the battleship “New Hampshire.” The residents of Farmington “did their bit” to support the troops, and to follow the food and good restrictions placed on them in order to supply the war with same. Liberty bond drives were held, and Red Cross fund raising begun.
At least 82 men left to serve in various branches of the military, on land, sea and air. Of those two would never return alive to their home town–Clarence Leroy Perkins and Maurice P. Potvin. Continue reading
