Jimmy's Doughboy Grandpa

Albert Petty June 19, 1919, one month after discharge. Original in the possession of the author.

Albert (Buddy) Petty and Nona Pollock at the Neshoba County Fair August 1919.  Original in the possession of the author

There are as many stories of the origin of the nickname, "doughboy", for American soldiers during World War I as there are days on a calendar.  In fact, the soldiers in WW I weren't the only soldiers to be called doughboys.  I will leave it to you and your preferred search engine to chase some of those stories.  I just know that Jimmy's paternal grandfather, Albert Petty, was a doughboy who saw action in Europe.

Albert Petty in WW I uniform, June 19, 1919. Original in the possession of the author.
 

Buddy, as the family called him, was inducted on the 19 of July, 1918, three days after his 23rd birthday.  He was inducted in his home county of Neshoba in Mississippi.  The clerk who typed his statement of service card must not have been familiar with Neshoba County and its county seat of Philadelphia, because he entered Philadelphia, Pa. as the place of induction.  Soon he was on his way to Camp Shelby south of Hattiesburg, MS.  By the 5th of October, Buddy was officially listed as serving overseas.  During his time in Europe he served in France and England.  I don't have any details of his experiences while in Europe.  I do know that he did not receive any injuries while he was there. 

 

When he was discharged he was issued one hat, one pair shoes, 4 pair stockings, one overcoat, one poncho, one shirt, one undershirt and one pair drawers "in compliance with W. D. cir. no. 166, 1919".  I notice that pants were missing from the list of clothing.  Was that another typist error?  I hope so.  He is certainly wearing uniform pants in these photos.  He was still in uniform when he went to the Neshoba County Fair in August a few weeks later with his wife to be, Nona Pollock.  That uniform may have been the best clothes in his wardrobe or it may be that the returning soldiers were still basking in the glory of victory.  Or maybe the fair offered free admission to veterans in uniform. 

 

It would be several more years before Buddy and Nona eloped and married in Meridian, MS. But that is another story for another day.