Smoke Break

William Douglass Pinkerton, Sr. (right) sitting with his buddy George Scott (left) in the mud somewhere in France during World War I. William was the son of William Brown Pinkerton and Agnes Ellen Gurney. He was born on 14 August 1896 in Rock Rapids, Iowa. Information points to William being part of the 43rd Balloon Company AEF. After six months of training which included getting ready for trench warfare, the company shipped out on 29 June 1918. I was surprised to learn that hot air balloons were used during the Great War.

Thank you for reading.

Jenny Findsen