Harold French Davidson was born in Massachusetts in 1889. The son of Iowa native W. H. and his wife, Olive, Davidson grew to become a chemist, eventually leaving his parents and Eagle Grove, Iowa, to serve in this capacity for the U.S. Army.

Arriving at Camp Dodge, Iowa, in September 1917, Davidson was soon asked to work with the medical detachment of the regiment and became instrumental in their struggle against the influenza epidemic.

This collection consists primarily of letters written by Davidson to his mother during World War I. The letters are initially written from Camp Dodge, Iowa, where he was a part of the medical detachment, but then shift to Cleveland, Ohio in October 1918 when he was transferred to the Development Division of the Chemical Warfare Service.

Also included is a photo of Davidson in his WWI uniform with a newspaper clipping relating to his activities at Camp Dodge and his transfer attached to the back. There is also a staff sergeant badge that features the chemical warfare service insignia. In addition, the collection contains the 21 September 21 1917 issue of the Camp Dodger newspaper and a 1925 letter sent to Davidson’s parents from the Clarence V. Schurtz Post #304 thanking them for the portrait of Schurtz Mrs. Davidson had painted and donated.