Alvin Willard Kirkham (1894-1974) was born in Lehi, Utah, on 31 July 1894, to George Kirkham and Mary Russon. He served in the American Marine Corps. during World War I. He married Rae Kathryn Rose on 13 June 1923. He later wrote an autobiography, "My Tale of Two New Years," contained in this collection, which give a brief account of his life. He died on 7 July 1974.
The Alvin Willard Kirkham autobiography (1919-1970) is a highly personalized and individualistic account. It is the story of a man proud of his family, his country, and the service he has rendered to both. His account is built around two memorable New Years, 1919 and 1970. As a marine overseas in WWI, the New Years of 1919, following the signing of the Armistice, was significatnt to him. The New Year of 1970 was the first reunion of his family, where all members attended. Interwoven between these two days is a brief account of his life, the story of his parents, as well as his grandparents. The majority of the autobiography deals with his service during WWI, his days as a student at the University of Utah, and the family reunion of 1970.
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Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.
Gift of Davis Bitton in 1970.
Processed by Lisle G. Brown in 1970.