Memorabilia of William "Bill" J. McNamara, 77th Division, United States Army

My grandncle William "Bill" McNamara was born on 15 October, 1895 in Loughinstown, Fedamore, Co. Limerick, Ireland. He emigrated to the United States at a young age (perhaps in his late teens). His enlistment record cites "porter" as his occupation. He lived in Brooklyn. He enlisted aged 22 as a Private in the 77th Division on 27 February, 1918 (LS No. 63, Brooklyn). He was in Co. "B", 305. He was sent to France. His diary mentions Verdun. He received a Purple Heart medal. His records state that he received a "slight" gunshot wound to his right thigh. His diary contains some poems he wrote. It says that he got the diary from a French soldier at the start. There is some writing in French (e.g. notes on formations), some reminiscences about home and some descriptions of his days. After the war he returned to Brooklyn but I am not sure of his occupation after the war. He did not marry and died on 19 October, 1958, aged 63.