Maine Memory Network

The R.M.S Carmania was a cruise liner with the Cunard Line. It was booked as the return ship for the American Expeditionary Forces trip to France organized by the American Legion in honor of the tenth anniversary of America's entry into World War I. The ship left London on September 30th, 1927 and returned to Boston on October 9th.

Breakfast on the day of Wednesday, October 5th featured a variety of foods ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh bread and butter, eggs, meats, and even the seafood specialty meal, Findon Haddock in Cream.

In 1927, the American Legion held its 9th annual convention in Paris. Travelers to the convention were known as the Second American Expeditionary Force.

The American Legion organized a trip to Paris for WWI veterans and their families. The trip, and convention, was scheduled to commemorate the tenth anniversary of America entering the war.

This letter outlines the importance of the trip as both one for pleasure and as an opportunity for the men to represent themselves as ambassadors for the country.

The veterans sailed for France on September 9th, aboard the R.M.S. "Scythia", a cruise ship rented by the Cunard Cruise lines, and arrived in France on September 17, 1927. The returning voyage was aboard the R.M.S "Carmania."

Four World War I veterans pose with canes years after the war ended. Bill Murray (far left) was a member of the U.S. Navy and served in WWI from 1918 to 1919. He is accompanied by friends Ed Simmons (middle left), Mike Mulkern (middle right), and Bill Murphy (far right).

The photo was likely was taken in France during the Paris Convention of 1927, a veterans trip in honor of the ten year anniversary of America's entry into the war. The convention was organized by the American Legion for what was known as the Second American Expeditionary Forces.

Portrait of a group of Navy men working mess duty in October of 1918. Back-row center with his hand resting on his friend's shoulder is Joseph L. Murray (to the right of the man in black shirt), a Portland-born man who served out of Rhode Island during World War I, between August of 1918 and July of 1919.

The Second American Expeditionary Forces Paris Convention trip, in 1927, was not restricted solely to the army veterans of the A.E.F., veterans of other branches of the military were included if they could procure a space on the ship. Joseph L. Murray was a Navy veteran that accompanied the A.E.F. on the cruise. Murray served in World War I from 1917 to 1919.

This letter, regarding applications and cabin placements for Joseph and friends, was sent from James L. Boyle of the Adjutant Department in Waterville, Maine.

James L. Boyle was a Convention Officer for the Second American Expeditionary Forces trip to Paris in 1927. The trip was organized for the ten year anniversary of America's entry into World War I. About a month prior to their September 9th departure, Boyle sent out a letter to all the traveling veterans regarding the final preparations for the trip. He addresses the departure date, final applications, payments, and luggage.

Boyle worked in the office of the Adjutant General Department located in Waterville.

The R.M.S. Scythia shipped out from Boston, Massachusetts on September 9th, 1927. The ship was recruited for a voyage to France in honor of the tenth anniversary of America's entry in World War I.

The log tracks the whole voyage the Le Havre, France, spanning about eight days, arriving on September 17th. This log records the longitude and latitude positions, weather patterns for each day, departure and arrival times, and an approximate length of passage between the U.S. and Europe.

It should be noted that this log is known as an abstract because it is prepared ahead of time and contains the projected times and weather patterns. Such things were subject to change once the voyage was underway.

A memorial service for fallen Portland and South Portland WWI soldiers was held on November 11, 1919. The service was sponsored by the families of two soldiers who passed: Harold T. Andrews and Stewart P. Morrill. One of the names on list of those honored is Herbert G. Cobb, one of three Cobb brothers to enlist in military service when the U.S. took part in the war.

The program outlines the different aspects of the memorial service, such as songs and speeches. The men honoring the fallen soldiers were a combination of U.S. Army men, clergymen, college scholars, as well as the Mayor of Portland, C. B. Clarke.