Project Staff were recently given the opportunity to examine and scan a private collection of World War I material related to the military service of Sergeant Clarence Slone. Slone served as a cook during World War I at Camp MacArthur in Waco, Texas. Slone was inducted at Waynesville, Missouri in May of 1918. After his induction Slone was sent to the School of Bakers and Cooks at Camp MacArthur for training. Cooking and Baking schools were located in many of the stateside training camps, and their main function was to train soldiers in the proper handling of rations, baking and cooking.Included in the collection are numerous photos of Slone and his fellow cooks, his service records, training postcards, service patches, and a menu from a special Thanksgiving dinner given at the school in 1918.
Slone’s service during World War I offers a good reminder of the important role cooks played in the overall war effort. These cooks prepared food and rations for soldiers in training camps stateside as well as overseas, and also provided sustenance to base hospitals and injured soldiers. Below are some images scanned from the collection. Enjoy!
Sources:
All photos and materials presented above are courtesy of Dan McMurray.
