Looking Back
On the Home Front in World War I
By JOYCE M. TICE

If the abundance of World War I memorabilia that reaches my museum and Web site is any indication, the civilian effort to fight “The Great War,” as it was called at the time, was almost as extensive as the military’s part.

Everyone was involved one way or another in The Great War—it only became World War I when World War II came along—and citizens were encouraged to invest money in government Liberty Bonds to finance the military. There were several well-publicized drives, and both lapel pins and window signs were handed out to show everyone that you were participating. In case your window was too far from the road for the neighbors to see the sign clearly, you could attach the sign to your rural mailbox to make your participation in the cause more visible. Social pressure was the follow-up step to government promotion to encourage full involvement. You could even have a payroll deduction to purchase Liberty Bonds.

The American Red Cross was active. Members paid dues and also helped distribute gifts and supplies to military personnel. Older women knitted socks by the barrelful. It may sound strange to us now that such an activity could actually be helpful, but with manufacturing facilities fully dedicated to the war effort, hand-knitted articles were indeed a help. The Elmira Chapter of Red Cross was asked in August 1917 to supply 2,500 each of sweaters, wristlets, and pairs of socks.

Citizens were asked to grow and preserve as much of their own food supply as possible to relieve the demands of the agricultural industry in providing food for the military. One booklet from the War Commission has a cover illustration indicating that canning food will “can the Kaiser,” too. Victory Garden booklets were also distributed. In Elmira and elsewhere, canning clubs were formed to teach people how to do it.

Men over the military age or otherwise unable to enlist were encouraged to join the Home Defense Corps. They served without pay unless called to duty.
Awards were given to those who participated in various ways. Eugene Crippen, who worked at the Willys Morrow plant in Elmira, was given the Aircraft Industrial Service pin. Willys Morrow manufactured automobiles, but during the war they manufactured artillery shells. The pins were given to department supervisors. Nurses were awarded lapel pins for their war-related services.

Formed in communities, the War Chest oversaw other charities much as the United Fund does now. Their purpose was to centralize the war effort and reduce the need for separate fundraising appeals by the many organizations contributing to war relief. The Chemung County War Chest made suggestions on how much each person should give each month. according to their income.

Even children were encouraged to join service clubs to help with the effort, and Student Army Training Corps units were organized at colleges and universities. At Mansfield Normal School, now Mansfield University, a unit was formed. Trained army personnel assisted by professors at the school conducted military drills.

You can see more memorabilia and more articles about this subject in the World War I Library in the military section of The Tri-Counties History site at http://www.rootsweb.com/~srgp/jmtindex.htm.

Joyce M. Tice is the creator of the Tri-Counties Genealogy and History. You can contact her at lookingback@mountainhomemag.com.