Robert A. Shields Collection
Scope and Contents
The collection consists of one letter written to Shields by a Royal Air Force serviceman and two newspapers clippings. The items are arranged chronologically and are dated 1942 and 1992.
Bob Shields was 15 years old in 1942 and recalled answering a pen pal advertisement in a comic book. He was paired with a Royal Air Force serviceman named Fred who wrote to him on 6 September 1942 from Darwen, Lancashire, England. Fred referred to a letter he received from Bob and commended him on his musical abilities. Fred told Bob he volunteered for R.A.F. flying duties and enclosed an A.T.C. magazine. He asked Bob to write a quick reply and asked him to send movie magazines. Fred closed his letter with “RAF Through Hell to Heaven” and a sketch of a fighter plane. The two newspaper clippings, copied for preservation, include a photo of "Evensong Choristers," who performed at Christ Church Cathedral circa 1942. The second clipping is a news article about Harry Truman, “When Harry Gave ‘Em Hell,” from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch dated October 25, 1992.Dates
- 1942-1992
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use
For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.
Biographical Sketch
Robert A. (Bob) Shields was born on 3 June 1927 to Robert and Elsie Abraham Shields. He enlisted in the U. S. Army in November 1945. Shields later married Betty Abbott in the late 1940s. He died on 17 March 2008 and is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Extent
0.001 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
The collection is arranged chronologically.
Physical and Technical Requirements
There are no physical or technical restrictions.
Donor Information
The collection was a gift from Robert A. Shields in 2003 (accession number 2003-108).
Processing Information
Processed with funds from the Newman Family by Sara Law, 2024.
- Title
- Robert A. Shields Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
- Date
- 2024
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository