Arthur H. Gilles Papers, Kansas State Agriculture College

Arthur H. Gilles was born on October 10th, 1892 to Lewis J. and Nellie Gilles in Nebraska. Arthur was the oldest of five children. He had three brothers Clifford L., born in 1895, Louis A., born in 1897, and Ronald D., born in 1908. He also had a sister Ruth H., born in 1908. Both Arthur and Clifford were born in Nebraska before the family moved to Kansas where Louis, Ruth and Ronald were later born. Gilles attended Kansas State Agricultural College between 1910 and 1914.

Arthur became engaged to Florence Paul and they were married on September 25th, 1916. They had two son’s Paul W. born in 1921 and Donald A. born in 1924.

Arthur began his duty in the Army on July 25th, 1918, and was stationed at Camp Funston in the 10th Division. Arthur and the 10th division remained at Camp Funston until September 29th when they moved to Ft. Riley to assist in emergency service at the hospital due to the influenza breakout among soldiers and did not return to Camp Funston until October 21st. On October 31st the 10th division left Camp Funston heading for Detroit, Michigan from which they would travel across the eastern United States transporting trucks for the Army. This continued until his duty in the Army was complete.

World War 1 ended on November 11, 1918, and Arthur returned to Camp Funston on January 11, 1919, and discharged on January 20th. Although there had been many rumors that the 10th Division would be recruited overseas this never happened and neither Arthur nor the 10th Division was ever involved in direct combat.