By Bonnie Gordon
Title: Edward M. Ross Collection, ca. 1917-1919
ID: RG1/059
Creator: Ross, Edward M.
Extent: 0.2 Cubic Feet. More info below.
Arrangement: The Edward M. Ross Collection is arranged alphabetically by genre. The photographic reproductions (within the “Photographs” folder) are itemized numerically, corresponding with a partial inventory created by former AFS Archives staff in 1990.
Languages: English
Edward Maynard Ross was an ambulance driver with the American Field Service (AFS) and the U.S. Army Ambulance Service (USAAS) between 1917 and 1918.The Edward M. Ross Collection contains four diaries, four original photographs, eight photographic reproductions, and one letter relating to Ross’s service with AFS and the USAAS during World War I.
The Edward M. Ross Collection contains four diaries, four original photographs, eight photographic reproductions, and one letter relating to Ross’s service with the American Field Service (AFS) and the U.S. Army Ambulance Service (USAAS) during World War I. The bulk of the collection consists of Ross’s diaries, which contain daily entries from June 2, 1917 to July 23, 1919. These detail Ross’s experience as an ambulance driver in France with both organizations (including his service during the Battle of Belleau Wood), and life in France after the war until his departure for the United States in July, 1919. They also include logs of personal correspondence sent and received.
In addition to the diaries, the collection includes photographic material, including eight reproductions, four original photographs, and one letter relating to the original photographs. The reproductions measure 5” x 7”;four depict military officials (including French Commander Ferdinand Foch and U.S. General John J. Pershing) addressing AFS and USAAS volunteers, one depicts the Marne, and one is a photographic reproduction of a postcard. One of the original photographs, found with the diary dated June 2, 1917 to February 20, 1918, measures 2.75” x 4.5” depicts ruins of an unknown city and a line of ambulances. The three remaining original photographs measure 3” x 4”, and depict images of Soissons and Rozières-sur-Crise in December 1917. An undated letter was found with these three original photographs, which appear to have been sent to Ross after the war by fellow ambulance driver Paul S. Miner.
Alternate Extent Statement: 1 box
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research. Cotton gloves are required for the handling of all photographic material. The two diaries dated June 1917 – February 1918 and December 1918 – July 1919 are fragile, and permission to access them is required by the AFS Archives in advance.
Use Restrictions: Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be submitted in writing to the Archives. In the event that this research becomes a source for publication, a credit line indicating the Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs is required. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.
Acquisition Method: This collection was donated to the Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs by an unknown donor at an unknown date.
Appraisal Information: An inventory made by former archives staff of subjects and ambulance drivers in Section Sanitaire [États-] Unis (SSU) 66 mentioned in the diaries was removed from the collection, as was a partial inventory corresponding with the itemized photographic reproductions. Contact the AFS Archives for information on how to access either inventory.
Related Materials: For more information about Section Sanitaire [États-] Unis (SSU)66, consult the AFS World War I Records (RG1/001) and the American Field Service World War I Photographic Collection (RG1/002) in the Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs.
Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], [Date]; Edward M. Ross Collection; Archives of the American Field Service and AFS Intercultural Programs, New York, NY.
Processing Information: This collection was processed by Bonnie Gordon in 2013. Finding aid written by Bonnie Gordon in February 2013.
