Bridge construction machinery, circa 1929

The Thomas A. Ward collection consists of four series: Photographs, Manuscripts, Publications, and Ephemera.

Series I, Photographs, contains 260 images, primarily related to the 318th Corps of Engineers and their experience during World War I. The photographs have been arranged into subseries based on the subject. These include: Training Camp, Battlefield and Combat, Ruins and Fatalities, Soldiers at Leisure, Transportation, Engineering and Construction Projects, Tourism, and Miscellaneous. Many of the photographs have an existing location written on the print, which likely happened when they were being developed. Many of the photographs have text stamped on the reverse that reads, "Photographs of all fronts and all points overseas, ten cents each, Ralph Cargille, Johnson City, Tennessee." Cargille was a corporal in Company B, 318th Engineers, who took photos of his wartime experience. Lieutenant Ward likely bought the photographs upon his return home. The collection also contains postcards photos, and photographs without any identification.

The photographs in Subseries C: Ruins and Fatalities, contain images of a sensitive nature, including deceased soldiers in various positions on the battlefield, barbed wire, and trenches. The original captions for the images also contain derrogatory language, such as "Boche" or "Hun" to describe German soldiers. The original descriptions have been retained, with the added acknowledgement that MCHC does not condone such language in our own descriptive work.

Series I, Subseries F, Engineering and Construction Projects, contains images of Ward's work after the close of the war. One project of note was the construction of the Severn River Bridge in Annapolis, Maryland, September 1922. There are also images of construction work dated 1929, but the prints do not identify the project or the location. Albert is identified in three of the images in this series, appearing with a group of men along a body of water during the winter (PP342.139-.141).

Series II, Manuscripts, contains just three folders of manuscript materials pertaining to Lieutenant Ward. The earliest of these items an Honorable Discharge dated August 10, 1917, giving Ward leave to attent Officer Training. The certificate was signed by Captain William G. MacNulty at Fort Myer, Virginia. This series also contains Ward's identity card with the American Expeditionary Forces, 1918. Printed on one side of the card are sections for name, rank, and duty, as well as a signature. Next to these prompts, Ward has written his name, his rank as 1st Lieutenant, and his duty as Co. D, 318th Engineers. At the bottom of the card, he signed his name. Ward's photograph is pasted to the reverse side.

The final folder in Series II contains a series of letters from Lieutenant Ward home to his family. The earliest dated correspondence is a post card from Ward to his parents letting them know he arrived safely overseas. The first full-length letter is dated September 23, 1918, addressed to his younger brother, John. Albert congratulates his brother, aged eighteen, on getting his first job. He then describes a bit of his daily life in France, saying "things get a little interesting once in a while, when they pick off a German coming over for a raid or something of the kind." But he reassures John that "there is hardly as much danger around here as you imagine." He closes his letter by again, wishing John well on the job, and then inquires as to the state of the Ocean City bridge.

Albert's second letter home is addressed to his parents and dated December 8, 1918. He apologizes for not writing earlier, but explains that he and his company have been marching since the first of November, covering a distance of 350 miles. "We did some good work in keeping the roads repaired, and keeping traffic moving up near the front, and our company put in several bridges in short order." He goes on to inquire about the health of everyone back home, and says, "I hope the 'flu' has entirely disappeared, and that all are well now." From his current position in La Foret, he speculates on whether he'll be allowed to go home, or ordered into Germany.

His third and final letter is addressed to his nephew George, dated May 17, 1919, and written on stationary marked, "Knights of Columbus, Army of Occupation." One week before his return to the United States, Albert writes to George that they will see eachother again soon. "Uncle Albert is in Germany, and having a very nice time, but I will be home to see you, and your little cousins before the 4th of July." He signs the letter, "With love, Uncle Albert."

Series III, Publications, contains books and magazines related to the 318th Engineers and World War I. Included are two issues of The Sapper, a short-lived publication devoted to the movements and news of the 318th Engineers. This collection contains a portion of the April 1918 issue, as well as two copies of the January 1919 issue. Also included in this series is, "The Life of Co. D, 318th Engineers" written by Charles Osborn with illustrations by Charron and Huntzinger, dated June 18, 1919. The book gives a detailed account of Company D's actions during the war, and Lieutenant Ward is mentioned several time. He is also listed as one of six officers with the company when they were disorganized, along with Charles Carey, George Coffee, Thomas Crocker, James McCutcheon, and William Wheeler.There are two other books in the series, including a general history book on World War I, and "Soldiers' Spoken French", inscribed by Lieutenant Ward on the inside page.

Series IV, Ephemera, contains travel maps from France and Germany, and newspaper clippings. The clippings include a photograph of Lieutenant Ward in uniform, and four cartoons from the Baltimore Evening Sun.