The United States formally declared war on Germany and the Central Powers on April 6, 1917. But American forces didn’t truly enter World War I until 1918.
This photograph, captured as part of the “Schuylkill Memories” project published by the Pottsville Republican, shows a trainload of draftees leaving Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania on May 27, 1918 as the US Army rapidly mobilized forces to serve on the frontlines. At the same time, similar trains were leaving communities across Pennsylvania’s Coal Region.
Here’s their caption on the image:
This photo, taken at the Reading Railroad station in Mahanoy City [on] May 27, 1918, shows a troop train of draftees going into the service.
Among the thousands of people in the crowd to see them off was the owner of the photo, Ed Burke, who was there to see his brother John depart.
Ed, then 14, is the boy wearing a light-colored suit and cap in the lower left walking behind a woman in a dark coat with light collar.
He was walking east on the railroad tracks toward his home when the photo was taken from atop a box car on the side track near the freight station, right.
Read more stories from World War I
From Pennsylvania’s Coal Region to Palestine | George Korson’s experience in World War I
Charles “Kelly” King | World War I soldier from Williamstown, PA
Coal Region doctor became a British war hero in March 1918
“I am more than glad it is over” – A Coal Region soldier’s experience in World War I
Subscribe to the latest from Jake Wynn – Public Historian
Enter your email below to receive the newest stories.
This is a fascinating photo! My Dad always told me about the time he went to this railroad station in the 1940’s to say goodbye to his stepfather, who was heading to fight in WW2. Daddy was in the high school band and they were playing patriotic music on the platform. He remembers crying as he tried to play his trumpet. The bandleader told him he needed to be strong and to stop crying and to play with pride.