3-5-1918 Married Marie E. Dolan
July 1918 Drafted into United States Army
Sent to Japan 4300 miles from San Francisco CA
9-28-1918 Arrived in Russia
10-24-1918 Arrived in Vladivostock, Russia
The following is his diary while in the Army
Service # 526074
King B. Ivey Pvt.
U.S.A.
Born December 27, 1891
In case of accident notify Mrs. K.B. Ivey Box 538 Calexico, Cal.
or
J.W. Ivey, Thurber, Texas
My Equipment # 181
Gun # 47061
Service No. 526074
Bayonet # 2802287
Sunday, July 25, 1918
Marie and I went to Frisco to the Cliff House and other points of interest, got back about 6 pm.
Mon, 26
Had skirmish drill in forenoon. Went to 12th and Menlo in evening. Marie isn’t feeling well.
Tue, 27
Drilled today and got a pass until Wed night 12 o’clock. Was with my wife. How heartsick I am. Don’t know if I can hold myself when I tell her goodbye tomorrow, at 4pm. It is the hardest parting of my life.
Wed, 28
It is hard to be cheerful this morning since our parting is so near. Oh! if we didn’t have to part, how glad I would be. Noon. Mrs. Bernard gives us a fine dinner. They are fine people and have been very good to Marie while she has been there. We went to the train at 4 and Marie left 4:20. How sad I feel, have been trying to find some way to quit thinking so much of the parting and on to Camp Fremont
August, 17, 1918 CAMP FREMONT
Aug 17
I moved from12th Inf. to casual camp. Don’t like change.
Aug 18
Stayed at camp some in forenoon was in Menlo with Marie most of day. We went to the seminary.
19, Mon
Did not drill today. Went to Menlo after 6pm. Chow bad.
Tue, 20
Drilled today quite a bit. I was bayonet instructor. Spent evening with my wife.
Wed 21
Drilled a squad this morning. Heard rumors of soon going to Russia.
Thur 22
Drilled in forenoon and heard a talk on Siberia by a woman of R.C. Went to train at evening
Fri 23
We had inspection in forenoon. Went to an entertainment at Morrison Athletic Field. given in honor of the boys going overseas.
Sat 24
Had final equipment inspection. Off until 12 Sunday night. This is the registration day for those who have become 21 since June 5th. About 150,000 registered. War news favorable for the allies, fighting from (unreadable) to Arras on unconditional terms and that the allies had taken charge of the Austrian fleet and railroads. We know now that Germany has almost reached the end of the rope. In fact they are begging for peace. I think Austria will be split up a great deal and that the peoples will be freed and most of them will elect presidents.
We hope Germany will soon become a republic and give the people freedom. All humanity may rejoice at the good news for it has gained much….think of the return.
29
Drilled a little and went to quarter masters to draw equipment.
30 Friday
On K.P. today got rather greasy
31 Sat
Was an orderly at Hdqts today
Sept 1
Orderly today also carried a great many telegraphs and messages, called out in formation several times. Sent my Barrack bag. Will move tomorrow new address A.E. F. Siberia Cf Depot 2 Mt. Ft. Mason San Francisco Cal
Mon 2
My company, 4th Prov of 12th Inf broke camp about 8 am boarded U.S.A. transport Logan at noon and at night were anchored in the bay. like my qtrs in second deck.
Tue 3
Got sick this morning but didn’t feed fish. At noon we are 130 miles from SF Sea moderate; few sick. I feel fine tonight
Wed
Felt fine this morning noon 355 mi Frisco 4445 mi Vlad. Feel tough tonight.
Thur 5
Feel better today. Played checkers with Cress. A great deal of gambling on board. I do none.
Fri 6
Have been room orderly today scrubbed the deck under 4th Co. qtrs. Trip is monotonous. S.F. 862 mi. The following men do not gamble. Cress, Turner, CC, Turner Lh, Walter, Toland, myself.
Sept 7
We had rifle inspection and fire drill. Cress and I went to the movies in mess hall at night.
Sun 8
Quarantined
Felt tough today. Sea rough and most tired of men fed fish.
Sept 9
Sick all day, stayed on bunk most of time. Saw Leut Duncan formerly of El Centro Cal.
Tues 10
Felt very tough today but considerably better tonight. Ate supper. First meal in three days. Still quarantined on account of Diptheria, wear masks.
Sept 11
The food we get on the trip is a disgrace to the government. The ship master must be grafting. Most of the men’s stomachs are upset with stew-stew-stew.
Th 12
Cool and windy today. Ocean is rough. Can’t get service from the commissary.
Fri 13
Unable to get malted milk but feel better, ate supper and think will soon be ok. Crossed half way line today. S.F. 2426 mi Vlad 2346 mi. 47’-40’/n. 176’ W tem 51.
Sun 15
We crossed the international date line last night and thereby gained a day. Yesterday was Fri 13th today Sunday 15th. We lost Sat 14th Sept. 1918. Feel better today.
Sept 16
At noon SF 2895 Vla 1865. Tem 55 Sea rough Lat 46’ 25’ saw some large fish. Chow bad several stole onions.
Tues 17
Smooth and warmer today. Had beans for a treat today.
Sept 18
Temp 64 misty but fine. SF 3393 Vlad 1357 Lat 45’ 05’ Lon 160’ E. There’s gambling everyday on ship. Wish it would stop. Sick now better.
Thur 19
A very nice day misty but calm
20
S.F. 3850 Vlad 887. 43, 14 N, 150E, tem 67 I talked with Leut Duncan formerly of El Centro today seems a very nice sort and said if I find anything in Siberia that I could (not?) handle let him know if he could be of assistance to me.
Sept 21
S. F. 4103 mi V 637 Lat 42’, East 135’ sea fine, chow bad. We saw land at noon 60 mi to our front, first land since Sept 2 sure rejoiced.
Sun 22
This morning at daybreak we were in a strait near N. Japan and at 9 a.m. we are near the port of Hakodate. From here it looks like an American city and in the background are many peaks covered with green vegetation. The bay is beautiful and there is but little fog temperature about 70 What a beautiful climate it seems. We went ashore at 3 pm and paid 20 sen Jap or 10 cents American fare. The town looks like the slum district of an american town. The streets unpaved and the buildings are small. Women fruit peddlers were numerous. Most of us bought cookies and candy some of which tasted very well. Some get beer even too much. The company was kept together but it was impossible to keep them in good order for all were eager to see in the shops and buy various things. After some 3 hrs we returned to the ship each of us with some experience of his own to tell and laugh about. In the harbor we saw many fishing vessels with such names as Noadhakinsmura Miyoshi mura, A great many were unloading dried fish. Tonight is very beautiful and Hakodate is lit up and looks like some ideal place that we read of in story books.
Sept 22
Sept 22, 1913 I first put my foot on California soil. How little I thought that exactly five years later I would first put my foot on Japanese soil 4300 from S.F.
Mon 23
We started from Hakodate about 6 am at noon are 164 miles from the strait. Is beautiful and quiet; the island of Nippon is S and Yezo on N. I have worked in the steam galley today and got better eats. Glad to be at work feel better.
Sept 24
Arrived at Outari about 7 am and have taken coal. The Japs carried it on board in sacks and dumped it in the coal bin. It has rained some today and the wind blew, yet the town shows up plain from the boat and the hills are very green dotted by small tracts of truck patches. Every inch of ground is utilized even on the very edge of the cliffs high up. The harbor is quiet and holds many fishing vessels. The I.C. R. coaling Pier is in view. My feet are very sore and pain me so much it is difficult to work.
Wed 25
Last night we stayed in harbor and it rained most of the time. Those who went ashore could not return until morning. About 10:30 a.m. the wind began to blow very hard and we had the experience of a typhoon. Two Japs in small rafts near our boat drowned and it was difficult to save others. The anchor wouldn’t hold and we drifted against the break water. The storms soon subsided and we had difficulty in getting out for the boat was in mud. No one was granted a pass today. A great many of those who returned were sent to the guard house. One had killed a Jap, another tried to whip an army officer. I worked hard today. Feet very sore.
Sept. 26
It rained some this morning but cleared and is nice and still now. Tem about 68’. We stayed in the Outari harbor all day but didn’t go ashore. I worked harder than usual. Feet are getting worse. Can hardly walk. Good news on bulletin. British captured 20,000 Turks.
Sept 27
A wonderful day and the hills are very green. Stayed in harbor all day. Took on cola. Japs sold a great deal of fruit to the boys on board at exhorbitant price. They are after the $. We peeled 900# of very large worthless white Jap radishes for noon tomorrow. Feet some better.
Sat 28
Left Outari at 6 p.m. yesterday and at noon today were 152 mi from Outari 263 Vlad. Peeled carrots today. Feet worse.
Sun 28
Very foggy last night and this morning at noon Outari 404 Vlad. 35 L. 42’, 33’N Lon 132’ E Tem 63. When about 40 mi from land we saw a raven and a hawk. About 3pm we passed some islands which were well fortified and were docked in the harbor of Vladivostock at 6 p.m. The town looks a great deal more modern from the boat than Japan. The numerous green hills nearby look very similar to the peaks near Hakodate. I am better pleased from first-impressions than I thought. I would be for it is not as cold as Frisco and the hills are very green. American soldiers met us with a band. Feet better.
Mon 30
We unloaded and went to E. Co. qtrs. Which are very roomy and very comfortable. After dinner, I went to town and liked some sections but not all. Chink town is dirty. Returned for check at 7:30 pm.
Oct 1
Worked at plastering the bks with lime today. A clear fine day.
Wed 2
Wrote some letters and stayed at Bks was assigned to Co. F. 31st Inf.
Thur 3
With E. Co. today like their chow fine. Leave tomorrow for F. Co.
Oct 4
Saw some nice country. Had a jolly time trying to figure out the name of trees and vines. Most of them are small. I bought some wild grapes from a woman. They were small, black and sour. They had corn on the cob and cabbage pie for sale.
Sat 5
Didn’t sleep much last night. Jacobs and I drank too much coffee at Nekoliski besides the bed was hard. Cress and I are in the same room today, but he is in one end and me the other, both upper deck.
Sun 6
A nice day to wash up, and that is what most of us did. I went to town with Cress and saw the people paying visits, some were milking cows and feeding chickens and ducks, etc..Some of the cattle are fine blooded. We got some small cookies at a French pastry.
Oct 7
Went on guard at noon. Like my post fine. Saw about 200 cattle coming in at evening. Learned some Russian from a boy. Bought some ready boiled eggs at 2 Rubble 80 copecks for 8 eggs.
Thur 8
Had physical inspection after coming off guard. Several men were stuck for venereal. I will live a clean life and need not fear their consequences. Got some leaves for my bedsack.
Wed 9
A nice clear brisky day. Frost in the morning. Moved my bunk to another room and got better perch. Saw some movies at evening, a very good tragedy though I was unable to read the writing. Dentist looked at my teeth and will do some work on them later. It rained last night and snowed some this morning, a cold day for this time of the year.
Fri 11
Dentist cleaned my lower teeth today. We drilled some in forenoon clear but cool.
Sat 12
Drilled and stood full field inspection this morning. Went on guard at post 1 gate at noon. The O.D. was around several times and I turned over the orders without criticism.
Oct 13
Came off guard at noon. Day is clear and fine. Light frost in morning but warm in midday. Cress, Jacobs and I went to the far village after dinner. Got a good insight into the manner and custom of the people. Saw the people out at the general marketplace in front of the church. Came back to the near village and ate a roasted chicken which cost 6 (shresh) rubles; then 27 rubles worth of small cakes; went to the movies and saw a very odd tragedy.
Mon 14
Drilled in forenoon and ate an early dinner. 60 started out toward the east for a small pleasure trip went about 2 ½ or 3 miles and returned. Was called about 10 pm for some excitement which only lasted about an hour.
Tue 15
Went on P.G. at noon C. of S. General Graves came to qts. And had inspection most of the Co. was put at fatigue in afternoon. Don’t know why I don’t get a letter from Marie. The mail is very slow. Haven’t heard any thing from her since we parted at the depot at Fremont when I was about to leave for Russia on Aug. 28. Hope the mail comes soon.
Oct 16
Came off guard at noon and did some washing for McIntyre and Neville in afternoon; saw some good war news. Bulgaria laid down on Oct 1st. The British have captured Damascus in Palestine, a city of 350,000 people 150 miles north of Jerusalem.
Thur 17
Dog gone mad afternoon for I had to carry water for 4 hours from the prison ½ mi away and from the Jap well.
Oct 18
It was slightly cloudy early this morning and by 10 a.m. the clouds were thick and dark then a very cold wind hit here and soon the snow began to fall very fast. Most of the snow melted but still there was about 3 inches on the ground at night when it cleared again.
Sat 19
Had inspection in morning and went on S.G. at noon. Rather sloppy after the thaw.
Sun 20
Drilled and cleaned barracks and other fatigue in afternoon. Went to town with Cress and Jacobs after supper.
Oct 22
Put in an application for entrance into the Officers Training School to open November 1st.
October 23
Leut. Wopenstine questioned me this morning, Captain Fentreps in afternoon. Called me back at supper time and quizzed me thoroughly and wrote my recommendation to entrance to O.T.S. He told me I would leave for Vladivostock 24th at 11 a.m.
Thur 24
I hated to leave Cress, Eddie, Mott and several of the boys for I have been with them since May. Jacobs, Kellog and I left Spasskoe at 10 a.m. and had third class passage. Though a Cossac officer was kind enough to let us ride in his cabin on first class car most of the way. He was a very intelligent and kind man. Got to Vlad. At 9 p.m. and spent the night with a Check soldier in a check car.
Oct 25
We took baths and reported to reg Hdqts and took mental examinations. Think I passed ok. Leut Bennett, Colonel Nickles, and Capt. Veitch were on the examining board. We are attached to E Co.
Sat 26
I had physical examination at 31st Inf. Infirmery. My heart isn’t strong enough. I feel I shall be rejected.
Oct 27
Brundell, Jacobs and I walk to the top of the peak east of qtrs and down to the rocky beach.
Mon 28
I reported as orderly to Major Preston at the infirmary and hunted men to be examined for O.T.S. There were 40 on the list of 31st Inf.
Oct 29
I fell rotten today because of a cold. Jacobs and I went to Vladivostock in afternoon. Stayed at the station at a while also at the Y.M.C.A.
Wed 30
I stayed in barracks today but expected to move all day. Read I.D.T.
Oct 31
All received results of examination today. About 60% of applicants were turned down by their co. comd. 50% of the remainder were discarded by the board of mental examiners. Leaving only 40 men of the 31st reg. of Inf. At the physical examination 2 of the 40 were found wanting. These two are Corpl Davidson of G company weak heart. Myself Private Ivey of F Co. poor heart valves and heart not strong for excessive exercise.
It hurt me a great deal to not pass for having already passed 4 military exams. I thought I was ok physically. Also having been recommended by the Co. commander and the examining board I had confidence in my ability to go through the school in a way that would be a credit to me and that getting a commission would be easy. About 10 men of company F tried, 7 were not wise enough, I was not strong enough. Jacobs and Kellog stuck.
Fri 1
Remained at the barracks all day.
Nov 2
I am taking things easy and have nothing to do except wait. It is raining tonight.
Sun 3
I went to HQ Co. and saw Joe Peck of El Centro
Nov 4
The cold that I contracted coming down clings to me, I have a cough.
Nov 5
The Sargent Major said I would return to my Co. and take a prisoner with me.
Nov 6
I returned to company F with Kruger mail orderly. Had trouble getting transportation. It snowed. Rec’d first letter from Marie.
Thur 7
Traveling by rail is tough here. I am sore and sleepy. Got six letters and 2 cards from Marie this morning. Sure am relieved to know that Lee is there and that they are well and getting along well.
Nov 8
We policed qts. All day today even into the night getting ready for a general inspection tomorrow.
Sat 9
I was on K.P. until inspection, got by by a scratch. Leut. Col. did the inspecting. In the war news today is an official report of Austria’s surrendering.
**Not mentioned but told to his sons later in life is the following account of events while in company F of a heartless Colonel Alderdice in his camp. He forced men to train in the snow crawling on their belly and even the ones that were sick in infirmery were forced to train. He would tell them “you’re not really sick, you’re a bunch of yellowbellies, now get out there and train…” As a consequence many of the soldiers died of pneumonia. Our father K.B. never forgot the cruelty of this Colonel.
K.B. Ivey never saw any action but his company F and other companies had to stand by and watch the Cossacks murder all the people in a Siberian Village across the river from the Army camp.
K.B. was discharged from the Army a short time later in San Francisco and went back to Central Texas to pick up Marie to go work in the oil fields in (Hogtown) Desdemona Texas.