Douglas Carter France - Pre-World War I Home

Douglas Carter France was born on December 15, 1893 to John Gordon France and Daisey Wayne in Richmond, Virginia. The France family lived in Charlottesville, Virginia. Douglas France’s father started in the tobacco industry then moved to bookkeeping, although in 1910 his occupation is unclear, the family had enough money to support the four children and hire a 19-year-old servant for their home. Douglas France graduated Charlottesville high school and went on to the University of Virginia where he studied law. 

When war broke out, France was happy to serve his country. When asked about his thoughts on military service in 1920, he wrote, “I always found military life attractive and considered it my duty to volunteer when war was declared.” On May 28.,1917, France joined the US Army Ambulance Service. He trained at Camp Crane in Allentown, Pennsylvania. His experience at the camp put France in the best physical shape of his life. However, France notes that his mental fitness lagged as his time in the army forced him to abandon his academic studies for a period of time. 

In August of 1917, France left Hoboken, New Jersey on a ship bound for St. Nazaire, France. While part of the US Ambulance Service, France served on both the Belgium and the Champagne fronts. He saw multiple engagements during his time overseas and was promoted from Private to First Lieutenant. It is unclear how or where France was injured, but in November of 1918, he was admitted to the Hospitale General in Vitry le Francois. His time on the war front affected France’s outlook on life as he noted that after experiencing war, he “increased his reverence and [removed] all fear of death.” He notes that he was taken by the feeling that human life was being wasted in the engagements and that the value of a singular life was lost in the enormity of the conflict. Perhaps, most notable was the affect that France's experience had on future generations. 

Douglas Carter France returned home from war in June of 1918 as a First Lieutenant. France continued to serve his country, this time by working as a lawyer for the United States Department of Justice. In November of 1919, he married Rebecca Crawford Taylor and in June of 1920, the couple welcomed Douglas Carter France Jr. The couple raised their family of five in Raleigh, North Carolina where France continued to work as a lawyer. On December 30, 1983, Douglas Carter France passed away and was buried in Oak Dale Cemetery in Spring Hope, North Carolina. The footstone at France’s grave notes that he also served in World War II as well. Serving in both wars was not entirely uncommon for veterans of World War I. France was a young man when he entered the service in 1917 and his training and experience would have been valuable to the US Army in 1941. 

1910; Census Place: Charlottesville, Albemarle, Virginia; Roll: T624_1619; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0001; FHL microfilm: 1375632

France, Douglas Carter. War History Commission State of Virginia Military Service Record. Library of Virginia, Virginia War History Commission.