Walker Family Papers

Most of the letters in this collection were written between husband and wife during Claudius Walker's military service. The earlier letters from Claudius discuss his daily activities and how much he misses his wife. Anna's early letters discuss the immediate and extended family. From October 15, 1941 to March 4, 1942, all letters were between Anna and her mother, Anna Maria Pease.

Once Claudius entered the European Theater letters focused more on the war. Some of the topics discussed include the scarcity of supplies at the front and at home, and Claudius' reaction to the destruction in Europe caused by the war. As the war in Europe came to an end, Claudius also discussed the confusion and lack of information concerning when he would get to leave Europe and return home.

Included in this collection are 50 letters between Claudius and Anna, and Anna and her mother. There are also 20 scanned photos of the Walker family, as well as a scanned photo of Claudius with the Civilian Conservation Corps, and one with the 762nd Field Artillery Battalion. There are several original and scanned copies of post cards that Claudius sent to his family from Europe as well as color photographs of Claudius' Military Insignia, the original paperwork for the Bronze Star Medal he was awarded, and a newspaper clipping on his award. An oversized map marks Claudius' travels in Europe with the military. His son, Alan, gives a brief description of the family's use of the GI Bill benefits.

All items in the collection have been scanned, and the letters are transcribed in a bound volume made by the Walker family and stored with the letters; the volume includes CDs of the scanned images.

The bound volume includes scanned photos of Europe during the war, scanned photos of officers, a scanned copy of the headquarters roster, as well as interpretive text and descriptions that are not included within the collection.