"Infantry Drill - Bayonet Practice," Black Soldiers in World War I

01

Artifact Overview

Andrew Purnell Jr. (1898-1975) was born in Selma, Alabama. He joined the all-Black 303rd Stevedore Regiment (with later unit designations) in December 1917. Private Purnell was stationed in Bordeaux, France. He returned to the U.S. in 1919, married, and worked as a railroad freight handler. Like many service members, Purnell kept cards, letters, photographs, and souvenirs from his time in the military.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Postcard

Date Made

1918-1919

Subject Date

1917-1918

Collection Title

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

2025.149.0.2.29

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)
Handwriting

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 5.5 in