A Musician in the Great War

After an introduction to the WW1 musician soldier by the soldier's granddaughter, the entire diary is presented. No corrections to the handwritten diary were made by the granddaughter during the digitalization process, in order to keep the originality and the integrity of the diary. Photos during the war, as well as family photos from before and after the war are also included. The final section of the book contains actual photos of the soldier's personal copy of the original army issued roster of the entire Headquarters Company, so others can research and possibly find their own ancestor.

This diary of a musician soldier who served in the Great War was saved by himself, later his wife and widow, finally his son, and found by his granddaughter in her father's possessions. The introduction is written by the granddaughter to acquaint a reader about the soldier and how she came about publishing this bit of history. The diary was digitalized from the soldier's pen and ink handwritten pages without making any type of corrections to what he had written. The diary is presented with photos of the cover, pages that show the original handwriting, and other historical keepsakes found in the diary. War time photos show the soldier and army life in France. Family photos show a few snapshots of prewar and post war glimpses into this soldier's life. The final item found with the diary is the army issued roster of the entire 138th Infantry, Headquarters Company. A fire destroying military records of this type in 1973 make this roster a possible source of history which may not be available elsewhere. Photos of this roster from cover to cover are included in an appendix of this book.

Adolph Kuellmer was born and lived his whole life in Missouri. He joined the Army as a musician soldier, playing baritone saxophone. He served the US in the Great War, keeping a diary during the time he left the New York harbor until his arrival home a year later after serving in France. He felt his contibution to the US effort to end this war was well worth the time and sacrifice. After the war, Adolph married his sweetheart. They had two sons. After his death in 1962, he was buried in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetary in St. Louis. Joanne Kuellmer Franklin is the granddaughter of Adolph. Her father, Adolph's older son, encouraged her to publish Adolph's diary and photos for historical purposes. In the introduction, Joanne shares background about Adolph and the diary.