Guide to the Burnett World War I Correspondence Collection (1918 – 1940s)

John Burnett (1843 to 1930) was born in Scotland. His wife Sarah (Arnold) Burnett (1846 to 1922) and all seven children were born in England: Lucy Wright (1872 to 1944), Archibald Burnett (1873 to 1938), Frank Burnett (1875 to 1967), Walter John Burnett (1877 to 1963), William Arnold Burnett (1879 to 1948), Malcolm Burnett (1890 to 1964), and Jessie Butterworth (1883 to 1961). The Burnett family immigrated to the United States in 1890 and settled first on a farm in Kern County, California. By 1916 sons Walter and William were the owners of Burnett Bros., also known as the Santa Cruz Mill and Feed Co. This was the hay, grain, and feed store at the corner of Soquel Avenue and Ocean Street. They resided nearby at 308 Broadway with their parents, moving the following year to 277 Broadway. Walter served in World War I with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in the 72^nd Regiment, 4^th Canadian Division. Walter’s obituary states that he served with the Black Watch but it is more likely that he served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Malcolm served in England and France in the Canadian Army with the British Expeditionary Force. The bulk of the correspondence is from brothers Malcolm and Walter to their mother, who lived in Santa Cruz during World War I.

SERIES I. CORRESPONDENCE FROM MALCOM BURNETT (1918 TO 1922)

One (1) Folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains correspondence from Malcom Burnett to his mother or William, primarily his mother. There is one postcard and fourteen letters from January 1918 to April 1922, primarily 1918 during his time in the Canadian Army during World War I. These letters include statements about his visits with family in England and Scotland and activities while on a weekend passes. There are also comments from him about his unit working with U.S. Engineers or positive comments about the Marines, probably referring to the Battle for Belleau Wood. He also makes the following statement in August 1918 “At present we are well back from the line so are not troubled with shell fire in fact have been back for some time making a new system in place of the lines that Fritz took in his first advance do not mind if we never get any closer as my curiosity concerning shells is satisfied.”

Transcription of Malcolm Burnett Correspondence

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SERIES II. CORRESPONDENCE FROM WALTER BURNETT (1918 TO 1919)

One (1) Folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains correspondence from Walter Burnett to his mother or William, primarily his mother. There are three postcards and six letters from May 1918 to June 1919, primarily 1918 during his time in the Canadian Army during World War I. In his first letter from 2 May 1918 he makes the following statement “There were only three branches of the service open Cavalry Field Artillery and Infantry so chose the Infantry as the officer strongly advised me not to take the Artillery as it is too strenuous, everything being on the run.” He relates his training such as physical activity, military ceremony, and other military training. He also makes the following statement about the normal military issue “You ask me about my equipment, it consists of overcoat very thick and warm, coat, trousers, one heavy pair and one light canvas sided shoes, two woolen and one cotton shirts two suits woolen underclothes, one cap, four pairs heavy socks, belt, putties, five woolen blankets ground sheet and a bed ticking bag which we put straw in for a mattress, mess tin consisting of knife fork and spoon and the tin itself consisting of three parts, one for something to drink, one for meal and vegetable and one for desert or mush, we also have a bag to put all the clothes in and kit bag consisting of hair brush and comb, clothes brush, razor and shaving brush and tooth brush. To the best of my remembrance that is the lot.”

Transcription of Walter Burnett Correspondence

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SERIES III. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE (1918 TO 1922)

One (1) Folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains cards or letters from various people to Sarah or John Burnett. There are three cards and three letters from October 1918 to February 1922. Some of this correspondence is from family in New Zealand.

Transcription of Miscellaneous Burnett Correspondence

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SERIES IV. MISCELLANEOUS MATERIAL (1918 to 1940s)

One (1) Folder

Series Scope and Content Summary

This series contains a newspaper clipping from London Aug 14 headlined “London Folk Pay $1.45 Up For One Peach.” There is also a Gasoline Ration Coupon Protector provided by the California State Automobile Association. These ration coupons are signed by William A. Burnett at 48 Berkeley Way, Santa Cruz. He drove a 1937 Buick.

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