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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Finding Aid Authors: Anne T. Johnson, Special Collections Staff.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Robert F. Fiske Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchased.
Biographical Information:
Robert F. Fiske was a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II, possibly stationed or serving in Washington, D.C., Norfolk and Bermuda. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Letters from Robert F. Fiske, a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II, possibly stationed or serving in Washington, D.C., Norfolk, Virginia and Bermuda, to his wife, Deborah Fiske. His wife appears to live in Brookline, then Boston, Massachusetts. He is an educated man who writes with a casual style.
There were three items not related to World War I included with this accession: two items from World War II - description of Shaef War Room at Reims, France and Holiday programs at Toul, France.
One group from World War I - an appeal for aid by Lieutenant de Dorlodot, with a copy of a letter from Baron de Broqueville, Belgian Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Arrangement of Materials:
Chronological.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Correspondence
- United States. Navy
- World War, 1914-1918
- World War, 1914-1918--Belgium
- World War, 1939-1945
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Fiske, Deborah
- Fiske, Robert F.
- Merrifield, Clara
Container List
Six letters from Robert F. Fiske to his wife, Deborah Fiske, 1943-1947:
Dec. 27, 1943 – His wife wrote him about her day at work. His Captain said he could not live ashore. He is stationed near an island, probably Bermuda since it is near Harrington Sound and Hamilton, which he mentions. Rescued a fishing boat and the owner, Henry Tucker, Sr., "the oldest Tucker on the Island," has asked him to help an old man and fish with him. His return address is: USN Acti( ) 2 (P), N No 138, c/o Fleet P.O. N.Y.
Monday (October 9, 1944) In 1944, he is in Washington, DC and talks of being "required to wear 'blues' at all times." He also mentions going home on leave and wanting the Packard's tires fixed. Return address on the envelopes is: N.A.S. Norfolk (SP 17) Virginia.
Thursday 4? (1944) - He has yet to receive orders "inspite of the Bureau having said they 'are in the mail.'"
June 16, 1945 – Explanation of why he doesn't write very often: "but with the only news my work, and no mention of that permitted, inspiration is seldom." He is reading books and working on the ship. "…One eats, sleeps and works all with pumped air and artificial light…buried in bowels of ship…" He gives her advice on keeping busy and "keep yourself young." He adds notes to his daughters, Heidi and Susie. His return address is: Com Car Div. 6, F.P.O. SF
July 22, 1945 – Talks of the letters he has received.
March 1947 - envelope with a rough draft of a letter about a "discount" being deducted from his household account.
Empty Envelopes, 1944-45, addressed to his wife.
World War II Items, 1945 and undated:
Shaef War Room at Reims, France, Description
Typed copy of a description of the Shaef War Room at Reims, France. Tells how the room looked and who sat where during the discussions and signing of the surrender. The heading on the paper is: Headquarters, Assembly Area Command, Theater Service Forces, European Theater.
Holiday Programmes from Toul, France, World War II
Programs for Thanksgiving 1945 and Christmas 1945 in Toul, France for the Medical Depot Company. The Thanksgiving 1945 progam is for the Personnel 16th Medical Depot Company and the Christmas 1945 program is for the Personnel Detachment "A" 63rd Medical Depot Company.
World War I Items - Belgium, 1917 and 1918:
World War I – Belgium
Mimeograph letters, one in English and one in French, from Lieutenant de Dorlodot, with a copy of a letter from Baron de Broqueville, Belgian Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs where Lt. de Dorlodot asks for help for Belgium soldiers in the Hospital. He asks if "you would consent to fill the gracious role of "Godmother of war" to one or more of our soldiers and by writing or sending money or comforts, replace to some extend the absence of his family." [1917]
Letter to Miss Clara Merrifield of Boston, Massachusetts from Joseph de Dorlodot saying that Mrs. A. Shepherdson "very kindly wrote me that you would be happy to help…Mr. Julien Hobbet…via Calais, France." He includes a little medal as a souvenir. (not included).
Photograph of a young woman in a black dress holding a camera with trucks and possibly a train in the background.