Name/Title
Norman Lomas, youngest "Devil Dog"Entry/Object ID
2013.13.1.101Description
Clippings and memorabilia from World War I scrapbook compiled by Dr. Naaman H. Keyser, page 99.
A single undated newspaper clipping an unknown newspaper is glued to page 99, with the headline exclaiming: "Here's the Story of the Youngest Devil Dog in Arms," by Margaret M. Lukes. In the article, the author notes: I hope the youngest member of the American expeditionary forces will forgive me when he reads this tale. I hope he will forgive the humble visitor who sat in the corner more spellbound, more adoring than the smallest boy who came to worship in that sunlit living room at 504 East Johnson street last Sunday morning. There is no justification for my story but this: All over the country, there are boys who will hang to the words of our youngest soldier, not out of idle curiosity, but because Uncle Sam has called them at eighteen to the colors and Norman Lomas saw service in France at fifteen. All over the country there are mothers whose hearts are aching to know how it fares with carefree boys suddently grown men in France. I hope our youngest soldier will understand why it seemed almost necessary to put this story in the paper... Two weeks ago, like a bolt out of the blue, after getting a letter from Norman saying he was wounded, Sidney C. Lomas, his father, an artist of note, received a mysterious cablegram. It was dispatched with mad, wild speed to Norman's mother, who, with his four sisters and little brother, was away camping. The message read: 'Norman arrived home port today sends love letters follow. Y. M. C. A. Transportation Bureau. ' Three nights later, while all Philadelphia lay peacefully asleep under the stars, their little boy came home. There was a bullethole clean through his wrist and a 'Gott-mit-Uns" buckle and belt he had taken from a dead Prussian guard in his pocket. Otherwise, the same boy who went away came back," etc.
Pages are 7.5 x 10".Photograph Details
Subject Place
* Untyped Subject Place
unknownCollection
GHS Scrapbook CollectionMade/Created
Studio
UnknownNotes
Author: Unknown