Most of the collection consists of photographs of the Polar Bears and Russians at Archangel. Included are views of camp, group and individual portraits of Americans and Russians, shots of surgery, and Russian women laundresses.
Garneau’s correspondence, June 25, 1918-July 12, 1919, is addressed to his family and then girlfriend, Florence. Most of the correspondence concerns his unit’s travel plans, his health, some training and social activities, and the weather. There are some descriptions of travel and living conditions and news of family and friends.
Biography:
Joseph Garneau was the son of Theodore Garneau of Cadillac, Michigan. He trained in Camp Custer, Michigan, while serving as a Private in Company D., 340th Infantry, Telegraph Battalion in 1918. His unit was sent to Archangel (Russia) via Camp Mills, New York, England, and France. In Russia, he was part of Company A, 339th Infantry (Polar Bears), American North Russia Expeditionary Forces. Garneau spent approximately eight months at Archangel, October 1918-June 1919. In early April 1919, Garneau was operated upon for piles. While recovering from the anesthesia, both of the backs of his legs were badly burned on a hot water bottle, prolonging his recovery. He returned to the U.S. after his unit on a hospital ship, the Kalyan, which arrived in New Jersey on June 26, 1919. Garneau returned to live in his father’s house at 212 Crippen Street, Cadillac, Michigan. He later married Della (1900-1998) and continued to live at the same address. Joseph had at least two brothers, Fred (1892-1967)?, who served in World War I, and Ted (1927-1985)?, and at least two sisters. Birth and death dates of Garneau’s wife and brothers were found in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI).
