📜 King George V’s Letter to U.S. Soldiers (April 1918): A Royal Welcome to WWI Troops
📌 Discover King George V’s personal letter to American soldiers arriving in Britain during World War I. Learn about its historical significance, read the full transcription, and see original images of this rare wartime document. Perfect for historians, students, and genealogists researching WWI military history.
Letter to Soldiers of The United States A.E.F. from King George V - April 1918. All American Soldiers Arriving in England are Presented with an Autographed Letter from King George. Image ID # 9580ba1550.
📜 King George V’s Letter to U.S. Soldiers – April 1918 🇬🇧🇺🇸
🔍 A Royal Welcome for American Troops
This fascinating and historically significant page highlights a rare and personal connection between King George V and the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I. It covers the letter personally addressed to each American soldier arriving in Britain, providing them with an official royal welcome.
One of the pleasantest features of the debarkation of the American soldiers in England is the greeting given to them by King George. Every soldier, upon landing, is given an envelope with these words on it, "A Message to You from His Majesty King George."
The inside of the envelope holds a sheet of paper with the royal arms engraved upon it. Under this, in facsimile handwriting, is the message of King George.
These letters are now being reassured by soldiers as one of the most valuable souvenirs of the war. (Note 1)
Transcription of the King George V Letter to Soldiers
Windsor Castle
Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British Isles welcome you on your way to take your stand beside the Armies of many Nations now fighting in the Old World the great battle for human freedom.
The Allies will gain a new heart & spirit in your company.
I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you & bid you God speed on your mission.
/s/ George R. I.
[ His Majesty King George V ]
(He signs the letter "George R.I," meaning "Rex Imperator" used by reigning English King and Queens.)
April 1918
Envelope containing the King George Letter to the soldiers of the A. E. F. | GGA Image ID # 2c0a8e0faa
Basic Information About the King George Letter to Soldiers
- Date: April 1918
- Written by: H.M. King George V of the United Kingdom
- Dimensions of Letter: 12.6 x 19.4 cm
- Dimensions of Envelope: 13.8 x 10.2 cm
FAQ on the King George Letter:
My family has recently passed, and in looking through the World War I articles, we came across the "letter to the soldiers" signed by George RI. Could you tell us where we can gain more information, (i.e., how many are there? is this signed by a king? etc.). We appreciate in advance any help you can provide.
To the best of my knowledge, there is only one original - probably in an archive located in the U.K. It was presented to the soldiers of the A.E.F., similar to a proclamation with copies distributed (typeset) to the men.
The closest approximation to current technology would be a photocopy. King George is believed to have been the signer of the original document. Over a million copies were distributed to the men who crossed the U.K. during World War One.
Thank you for your interest in the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives.
King George's Letter To U. S. Soldiers
One of the pleasantest features of the debarkation of the American soldiers in England is the greeting given them by King George. Every soldier, upon landing, is given an envelope with these words on it, "A Message to You from His Majesty King George."
The inside of the envelope holds a sheet of paper with the royal arms engraved upon it. Under this, in facsimile handwriting, is the message of King George.
[Text of letter above]
George R. I.
April 1918
These letters are now being treasured by soldiers as one of the most valuable souvenirs of the war. New York Times, September 1, 1918
Note 1: King George's Letter to U.S. Soldiers, Article in the New York Times Published September 1, 1918, © The New York Times
Has King's Greeting
Mrs. T. A. Angus Gets Interesting Note from Son with Replica of British Ruler's Writing
An interesting note from the field of war was received by Mrs. T. A. Angus from her son, Howard Angus, a few days ago. It is a letter reproduced in the handwriting of King George V of England, bearing the coat of arms of Windsor Castle, and says:
[Text of letter above]
George R. I.
April 1918
The Arcadia Journal, Published Weekly - Arcadia, Los Angeles County, California
Saturday, August 17, 1918
The King's Greeting
Gettysburg Soldier among those who were Honored.
Mrs. John H. Tawney has received a facsimile of the message written by King George V to the American Soldiers as they were passing through London. Mr. Tawney was a member of a trench mortar battery, which was honored by receiving the message.
At the extreme top of the letter engraved in a red die is the seal of Great Britain, and beneath this, the two engraved words in the same color, "Windsor Castle." The letter follows.
[Text of letter above]
The envelope in which the letter was mailed has printed on the upper left-hand corner these words. "A message to you from His Majesty King George V." On the envelope flap is also the seal of Great Britain.
The Gettysburg Times
Gettysburg, PA
Saturday, August 24, 1918
💡 Why This Page is Valuable:
✔ Historical Significance – The letter reflects the strong Anglo-American alliance during WWI.
✔ Personal Connection – Soldiers treasured these letters as souvenirs of their war experience.
✔ Rare Primary Source – Offers a first-hand glimpse into wartime morale-boosting efforts by Britain.
✔ Engaging for Teachers & Students – Provides a unique, humanizing touch to war history.
✔ A Gem for Genealogists & Historians – Could be linked to family war records for those researching WWI ancestors.
🔹 This collection brings history to life by illustrating how soldiers personally received this greeting from King George V, creating a direct emotional link between the monarchy and the troops.
📜 The Letter: A Personal Touch from King George V
🖋️ Transcription of the King George V Letter (April 1918)
📍 From Windsor Castle, the letter reads:
"Soldiers of the United States, the people of the British Isles welcome you on your way to take your stand beside the Armies of many Nations now fighting in the Old World the great battle for human freedom.
The Allies will gain a new heart & spirit in your company.
I wish that I could shake the hand of each one of you & bid you God speed on your mission."
/s/ George R. I.
🔍 Meaning of “George R.I.”:
The signature "George R.I." stands for “Rex Imperator” (King and Emperor), a title used by British monarchs.
🔹 Why This Matters:
🔹 The letter was designed to boost morale among newly arrived American troops.
🔹 It showed Britain’s appreciation for America’s involvement in the war.
🔹 The letter symbolized unity between the Allies at a crucial time in the war.
📸 Noteworthy Images & Their Significance
🔹 This page features rare, high-quality images of the actual letter and envelope received by American soldiers. Some highlights:
📌 📜 The Letter Itself (GGA Image ID # 9580ba1550)
🔹 A beautifully engraved letter with the royal arms, making it a cherished keepsake for soldiers.
📌 ✉️ The Envelope with the Royal Seal (GGA Image ID # 2c0a8e0faa)
🔹 The envelope was stamped with King George’s message, ensuring soldiers knew this was a personal greeting from the British monarch.
📌 📰 Newspaper Clippings from 1918
🔹 The New York Times (September 1, 1918) – Reports how soldiers treasured these letters as souvenirs.
🔹 The Arcadia Journal (August 17, 1918) – An American soldier writes home about receiving the King’s letter.
🔹 The Gettysburg Times (August 24, 1918) – Reports on a Gettysburg soldier receiving the letter, showing its widespread distribution.
🔹 Why These Images Matter:
🔹 They provide visual proof of this rare historical document.
🔹 They connect individual soldiers to a larger historical moment.
🔹 They add a personal touch to wartime history for genealogists tracing military ancestors.
🎯 Relevance for Different Audiences
📌 🧑🏫 For Teachers & Students:
✔ Perfect primary source material for classroom discussions on wartime diplomacy and morale.
✔ Helps students understand the personal side of war beyond just battles and strategies.
✔ Engages students with authentic WWI artifacts.
📌 📚 For Historians & Military Researchers:
✔ Provides insight into wartime propaganda and international relations between Britain & the U.S.
✔ Reveals how Britain welcomed and integrated American forces into the war effort.
✔ Demonstrates the importance of morale-building efforts in WWI.
📌 🧬 For Genealogists & Family Historians:
✔ If a family member served in the AEF and landed in England, they likely received this letter!
✔ A valuable connection to personal military history.
✔ Serves as an example of wartime memorabilia that may exist in family archives.
🌟 Final Thoughts: A Unique Glimpse into WWI Military History
📌 This page is a rare and fascinating look at a lesser-known aspect of World War I history.
📌 The personal nature of King George V’s message makes it especially engaging for teachers, students, and family historians.
📌 The inclusion of historical newspaper reports and original images adds immense value to the archive.
🌍 This is not just a letter—it is a historical artifact that symbolizes the transatlantic bond between Britain and the United States during one of the most critical conflicts of the 20th century. 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸
