Boardman-Smith Collection, 1915-1943, undated

Full finding aid (pdf)

Collection Scope and Content

This collection is comprised primarily of correspondence between (and to) Raymond H. Boardman and Lillian L. Smith. There are letters from other correspondents, family photographs, and a few items of ephemera. Letters to Raymond from his hometown friends focus primarily on their relationships with women and how they are finding ways to have fun. There are a few letters to Lillian from other service men. Letters from Lillian to Raymond recount daily activities and lament his absence. There are relatively few letters from Lillian to Raymond, only spanning 1917, though his letters mention later letters he received. The correspondence suggests that Lillian and Raymond had only been dating for a month before he was drafted. They write about whether they have other love interests and about sending things to one another. Raymond’s letters to Lillian are quite romantic. He writes about missing her and plans after the war. Raymond’s letter prior to his discharge from the Army voices his fear that she might have moved on while he was enlisted, and that he hoped she still wanted to be with him.