The Journey of the First Flag

On leave in Paris, Kimber discusses his chances of becoming a pilot with AEF’s Col Billy Mitchell and Edmund Gros of AFS.

Kimber witnesses the aftermath of the ‘Battle of the Hills’, part of the Nivelle Offensive, now held by the 55e. We went thru a demolished village on the way. Enclosed is a picture of the ruined church….All along the road were little piles of French shells…We wandered around what were the first French line trenches on the 14th of April. They are awfully desolate looking places. I would rather do anything than live in them….Little groups of men and horses are constantly passing us, either going to the front or returning. All the French seem so tired and even the horses reflect the weariness. When the poilu asks how long we think the war will last, we all say only a short time, for if we tell him the truth about it, he seems absolutely broken in spirit.

Kimber leaves Paris for the Western Front with the First Flag – the last days of his precious responsibility.

Kimber arrives in London where he stays until the next day. His description of the city is sombre. ‘I went down to Charing Cross Station and saw some wounded arrive. There was quite a crowd and they were cheered heartily. Then [when] an ambulance brought out the badly wounded the crowds no longer made noise for fear of disturbing the men, but quietly waved, and the game soldiers smiled and made feeble efforts to wave back.’

Kimber describes his first sight of England, comparing the residential right bank of the Mersey with the hustle and bustle of the docks and derricks on the opposite side.

Kimber meets screen actress Lillian Gish, who is on her way to England to begin filming D.W. Griffith’s ‘Hearts of the World’.

Before sailing for Europe Arthur Clifford Kimber takes part in church service at Trinity, Wall St. where the First Flag is displayed. Members of the congregation – and later the general public – file past, some touching and kissing the flag.

Kimber bears the First Flag down the crowded 5th Avenue in NYC at the head of an American Field Service parade, accompanied by volunteers from the University of California, Berkeley.

Kimber had crossed the whole of the United States of America with the First Flag, from west coast to east coast, beautifully illustrated in this map drawn by Barbara Taylor.

Visits Ford motor-works in Detroit (MI). Then boards train for New York City, via Canada & Niagara Falls into NY state.

Through the remainder of Montana and, that night, North Dakota and on into Minnesota

The journey begins via Sacramento, Dunsmuir, Montague & Ashland, arriving in Portland (OR).

Thousands pack the Auditorium for the leave-taking ceremony organized by the Friends of France along with the recently-formed American League of California. Four Star Spangled Banners were presented to the Berkeley and Stanford students, the gift of the American League. Read more.