William A. Spratt Papers

The William A. Spratt Papers consist of correspondence, photographs, scrapbook material and printed items related to his service during World War II with both the U.S. Third and First Armies. Early letters written while he was at Fort Sam Houston as the driver for General Courtney H. Hodges cover news of camp life, activities of his father Lester, war news, and details of his own assignments. Only three letters are included after William was assigned to Europe, written while he was in England in May of 1944, with stamped notations that they were passed by the censors. The postwar correspondence is primarily of a social nature as responses to Christmas cards sent to military friends.

Using the correspondence as well as personal interviews, William A. Thompson, a nephew of William Spratt produced a biography “The Travels of Uncle Bill Spratt” that covers both his experiences in the war and post-war life. Additional printed material in the collection focuses primarily on the War, with numerous books related specifically to the European Theater of Operations, the battles and generals involved, with a couple of items dealing with a postwar reunion tour Spratt took in 1971 and general reunions of the Third Army or special observances or anniversaries.

The photographic segment of the collection, while small, includes several personally signed and inscribed photos from Generals Hodges, Bradley, and Keen along with snapshot photos of various places Spratt visited while serving as a driver. While William Spratt’s wartime experience might not be seen as typical, his service as a driver does provide a glimpse of a personal aspect of the war.