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Archives at The Museum of Flight


Frederick Staples World War I Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 2015-07-06
The Frederick Staples World War I Collection is a small collection relating to the military service of Frederick Staples, who flew with the 34th Aero Squadron of the United States Army, American Expeditionary Force from 1917-1919. The collection is comprised of a photograph album and a small amount of textual materials collected by Staples during his service.

The photograph album is titled "Scrap Book" and has a black cloth cover. It includes nineteen (19) black-and-white photographs, plus nine (9) loose black-and-white photographs that were found at the front of the album. The photographs are primarily 8x10", though there are some smaller prints as well. They depict military personnel in uniform, including several group portraits in front of biplanes and hangars, as well as candid images. Staples is identified in one of the loose photographs via the caption "Fred Staples in the undershirt." He is identified via inscription in a postcard as well and is also circled/arrowed in some of the group photos. One (1) image appears to be a snapshot of the cover page of a publication "A Photographic Record: Second Aviation Instruction Center. A.E.F. France. Prepared by the Aerial Photography School."

There are also ten (10) aerial reconnaissance images of locations in France, including Verdun and Berthenicourt. The reconnaissance images include handwritten notations on the front, which highlight possible targets or points of interest, as well as printed captions identifying location and date. There is also one (1) image of a drawing titled "Leaving France - 2nd A.I.C. [Aviation Instruction Center] Returning Home (Après la Guerre)." It depicts a balloon carrying dozens of people, presumably military personnel, with a banner "24 Hrs France to New York."

Textual materials include two (2) aircraft recognition manuals, both in French; "Silhouettes d'Avions, classées par analogie," published April 1, 1916 and "Silhouettes D'Avions, Alliés et Ennemis," May 1918. Additionally, there are photocopies of the 1917 enlistment record and 1919 Honorable Discharge for Frederick Staples.

Dates

  • 1917-1919

Creator

Language of Materials

Some materials are in French, all other materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Extent

0.25 Cubic Feet (1 legal size folder and 1 flat box)

Abstract

Frederick Staples (1893-1958) was born in Leighwood, Devon County, England. Staples served with the United States (U.S.) Army American Expeditionary Forces (AEF), 34th Aero Squadron, in France during World War I. The collection is comprised of a photograph album and a small amount of textual materials collected by Staples during his 1917-1919 service.

Biographical Note: Frederick Staples

Frederick Staples was born in 1893 in Leighwood, Devon County, England. Staples enlisted in the United States (U.S.) Army American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on May 10, 1917. He was sent to France where he trained at the Second Aviation Instruction Center. After training, Staples was assigned to the 34th Aero Squadron and served as a mechanic, master rigger, and pilot. Staples was Honorably Discharged on June 17, 1919 at the rank of Sergeant 1st Class. he died in 1958.

No further information is known.

Source:

Biography derived from collection materials and donor information.

Accruals

No further accruals are expected.

Existence and Location of Copies

Materials from this collection have been digitized and are available at The Museum of Flight Digital Collections.

Creator

Title
Guide to the Frederick Staples World War I Collection
Status
Completed - Level 3
Author
J. Parent
Date
2018
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
English
Edition statement
1st Edition

Revision Statements

  • November 2018: Finding aid migrated to ArchivesSpace.

Repository Details

Part of the The Museum of Flight Archives Repository

Contact:
9404 East Marginal Way South
Seattle Washington 98108-4097
206-764-7874


The Museum of Flight | 9404 E. Marginal Way South | Seattle WA 98108-4097 | 206-764-5874
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org