Writing from Field Hospital 32, Camp Fremont, California, under date of November 6th, 1917, Fred W. Cannon (pictured), whose father lives at 54 Cobden Street, Luton, sends us the very interesting account of his experiences in America.
"A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of seeing in The Luton News a picture of myself and three brothers. Seeing the home town newspaper once again, the idea occurred to me that I would write a short letter to you, giving a few details of life in the grand old Army of the United States.
"Since leaving Luton eight years ago my experiences have been many and varied. Starting in as a railroad man, I have been successively farmer, dining car cook (between Chicago and Buffalo, New York, and later through the western States) , hotel clerk, steel worker, miner, travelling salesman and, last but most important, a soldier in the grand and glorious Army of the United States.
"The last-named is the greatest experience of all. Whilst I was working in San Francisco last June, President Wilson's call for volunteers was sent forth and, with hundreds of others, I heard and went in. Joining in this city on June 30th, I received my first insight into Army life and was sent to a receiving barracks called Fort McDowell. This fort is situated on an island in the San Francisco Bay, and commands a wonderful view of the world-renowned Golden Gate, which is the entrance to the bay.
"A little to the east of the island is the Island of Alcatraz. This is nothing more than a rock pile out in the bay, but upon it stands an imposing rock structure. This is the military prison or, as it is termed here, Disciplinary Barracks.
"After two weeks spent at Fort McDowell, I was sent to the Presidio of San Francisco, and there assigned to a field hospital. Then my real instruction began, and we were all kept pretty busy for eight hours a day. After being given foot drill for about two months we were started on litter, or in English, stretcher drill and first aid.
"About this time we received orders to move and, needless to say, we were all greatly enthused over the prospects, as we thought, of going to Europe. Imagine our chagrin, then, when it became known that our destination, instead of being some Atlantic port, was another camp in California. However, this is an ideal spot and an ideal climate. We are living in tents that are lighted by electricity and heated by little stoves, which make them very comfortable.
"A few months ago where this camp now stands were flourishing ranches, but now it is a regular city for about 40,000 men. This is but one instance of America's gigantic preparations, and I am sure she will continue them until the victory is complete and German militarism is a thing of the past.
"Profiting by the mistakes of England in not using conscription until her fighting men were greatly reduced in numbers, she is building up an army of millions, and when American troops get started I am inclined to believe that von Hindenburg will retract his statement that 'America need not be reckoned with'.
"The spirit of the men of the National Army, that is of the men called in the draft, is wonderful, and all seem to be ready and anxious to take a 'crack' at the Germans. During a parade held recently in San Francisco, it was an inspiring sight to see, marching between two companies of US troops, the crew of a British warship that was in the bay, and they received a great ovation."
[The Luton News: Thursday, January 10th, 1918]
[Frederick William Cannon was born in Luton on November 18th, 1888, one of ten children of Frank and Elizabeth Cannon, of High Town. He and two brothers were in Canada by 1911, Fred moving to the United States in 1913. He became a naturalised United States citizen in 1918, married Eva Salguero from El Salvador in 1925 with whom he had a daughter, and died in Oklahoma in 1969].