This collection spans the duration of William Bandemer’s participation in World War I. The papers are divided into two series: one comprising documents (mostly letters) and the other consisting of photographs taken during the war. Within each series, the material is arranged chronologically.
The correspondence begins with Bandemer’s letter informing his family of his enlistment in the Army. The first folder in the collection describes camp life, mostly concerning Fort Devens in Massachusetts. He illustrates everyday life at Fort Devens, including food, lodging, training exercises, and chores. Of particular interest are two letters: one telling of a measles outbreak and the other of a fire in the camp.
The second folder begins with Bandemer’s first letter from France. He describes the trip over from the United States. In the majority of the correspondence, he tells of daily life, such as living conditions and the weather. He also shares his impressions of shelling and the amount of action he saw in the war, including shelling and gassing attacks. The letters also describe his frustration with receiving few letters from his family because of mail delays and include his general reactions to family news. Near the end of the war, Bandemer details the surrender of Turkey (2 Nov 1918), liberated Italian prisoners (17 Nov 1918) and his reaction to German propaganda (10 Nov 1918).
After the war ended (November 11, 1918), Bandemer stayed in France until February 1919. These letters provide descriptions of post-World War I France, including descriptions of towns reduced to rubble. Of particular interest are two Christmas Cards designed specifically by his regiment (1 Dec 1918 and 8 Dec 1918). In other letter, he details his travels through France to reach a port for departure and his ensuing trip home.
William Bandemer did not write two letters in the collection. One informs him of his father’s death (7 Aug 1918). The other is from a family friend serving in WWI telling Bandemer’s mother of his visit with William (25 Jun 1918). They are integrated in the collection chronologically. The final folder in the collection is a loan request made by Bandemer after the war.
The photographs span all of Bandemer’s involvement in the war (1917-1919). Included are two portrait photographs of him, dated 1913 and 1920 respectively. Many of the photographs are difficult to date and identify, but estimates have been made. Because of this, the photographs were kept in original order in the hopes that researchers could piece it together themselves. Most of the pictures are from Camp Devens in Massachusetts and France. One folder includes pictures of Bandemer’s family in Saginaw, Michigan, taken during the war.
William Edward (“Ted”) Bandemer was born June 26,1897 in Saginaw, Michigan, to William L. Bandemer and Frances (Geddes) Bandemer. He was the third child of the couple, who had two daughters previously, Selma Bandemer, born March of 1896, and Helen (Bandemer) Meranda, born in April 28, 1894.
On October 16, 1917, Bandemer enlisted in the U.S. Army in Myton, Utah. His first camp was Fort Douglas in Myton, Utah. While he was stationed there, he joined the Engineers. On October 27, 1917, Bandemer was relocated to Fort Devens in Ayers, Massachusetts. There he joined the Company E of the 25th Engineers. On December 10, 1917, Bandemer transferred into Company B of the 29th Engineers. He was promoted to Private 1st Class December 3, 1916. He left the United States to serve in France on January 30, 1918.
Bandemer arrived in France on February 21, 1918. He engaged in combat near the towns of Seicheprey, Xivray, and Haumont, and participated in the St Mihiel Offensive (September 12, 1918). Bandemer witnessed heavy shelling and gas attacks. During his tour, Bandemer received word that his father had died suddenly of ptomaine poisoning, on August 5, 1918.
After the war ended, Bandemer remained in France until February 1920, when he set sail for home. He arrived in Newport, Virginia, March 12, 1919. A day later he left for Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was discharged March 23, 1919.
Following his time in the army, Bandemer enrolled at the University of Michigan College of Engineering. He graduated in 1922 and, upon graduation, stayed in Ann Arbor, married (1921), and began his 39-year career for the King Seeley Corporation. From 1960 to 1964, he served on the City Council of Ann Arbor. He worked primarily with developing and securing the city’s dams along the Huron River. For his efforts, the “Huron Parkway Bridge” was renamed the “Ted Bandemer Bridge” in 1981. Bandemer died December 23, 1985, at the University of Michigan Hospital.
