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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: Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist.
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:
Lucian W. Alexander Diary, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Acc. 2011.647 was received by the SCRC via USPS on 10/25/2011.
Processing Information:
Accessioned and minimally described by Steven Bookman, University Archives Specialist, in October 2011. Finding aid description added and additional processing by Jonathan Katora, in July 2013.
Biographical Information:
Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki:
Scope and Contents
Diary, 1942-1943, of Corporal Lucian W. Alexander while he was stationed in India during World War II. Alexander was member of the 679th Signal Corps of the United States Army. The diary contains 46 handwritten pages, 10 of those are itinerary pages of places he visited, 8 pages contain more descriptive entries, and last section of the diary contains 28 pages of autographs and addresses.
Arrangement of Materials:
This collection is not yet fully arranged and described. Researchers may wish to consult with a staff member for further information in advance of using the collection.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Diaries
- India--Description and travel
- India--History--20th century
- South Africa--Description and travel
- United States. Army. Signal Corps
- World War, 1939-1945--United States--Regimental Histories
Container List
Contains the diary of Corporal Lucian Alexander, a World War II army soldier service in the 679th signal corps in Assam India. the back inside cover of the diary says it was purchased November, 16th 1942 in Tezpur, India. The diary contains a chronological description of events that took place during Lucian Alexander's time in India. Entries are back dated from May 1942 documenting Cpl. Alexander's transfer to the 679th and continue to July 1943 and Cpl. Alexander's orders to return to the states. Entries include descriptions of travel from Florida to Assam India, with stops in Bermuda and South Africa, Cpl. Alexander's final reporting to the 679th Signal corps after being lost in his transit up the Brahmaputra river, Cpl. Alexander's rest and relaxation time in India, and day-to-day activities as a soldier in the 679th signal corps. The diary also includes an undated description of Cpl. Alexander's stations while serving in the 679th. Cpl Alexander describes the location of the four major air warning stations his company operated. Also included in the description is work with Gurkha and Indian rifle soldiers, and experiences with native Assam tribes. The diary also contains addresses of 80 additional personnel, each with unique handwriting. Names are presumed to be from other 679th members, with a few entries from Gurkha and 3rd India Rifle battalion personnel. Examples of his diary entries: Oct 9th: Left Karachi by rail Oct 14th: arrived at Calcutta Oct 28th: Left Calcutta by river boat mingin. Up the river Brahmaputra Nov 16th: Port at Jazpur (Jaipur, Assam India). Eat dinner on Barge Nov 19th: Stop for nite. Went ashore. Bought chicken and eggs. Natives never saw steam boat nor white man before. Thought victrola was a god. They danced on board the steamer Mingin. What dancing Nov 21st. Sat nite. learned to count to 10 in hindu stoni by acting as coolie boy putting coal on the steamer counting sticks. 1 stick equals 1 mont. counting sticks for pass time. No white women for duration. Wonder what the 4f boys are doing? Aneta Nov 24th Arrived at Dubijon after traveling for a month. Given up lost by staff can't get our mail. can't even get ashore, company all parts of India. Don't even know where my platoon is. Luck to us. Pulled through after being Give up to be bead I suppose. Luckey 6. Nov 25th For the mail about 8 or 10 miles and dident even get it. Was I disappointed & tired. One letter means a lot to a soldier in India. but I am dead the gov thinks. Nov 26th thanksgiving. working unloading trucks from Borge but thankful to be living but jam india I guess I'll be in japan next. wish I could see anete