During the War years of 1918 and 1919 the Reverend obtained a leave of absence from his parish and volunteered to go to Europe as a secretary attached to the 7th Infantry, 3rd Division with which he served at the front.

A possible comrade in arms
Marx, Arthur [Harpo]
7th Infantry; 3rd Division
With brothers became comedy and film star.
Unconfirmed legend that his silent persona was
 somehow connected to the shock of the war.
[Information on this story requested.]

(The Above Information was is from The Doughboy Center. Any information concerning this item please contact
 the author of this site and the Great War Society's Doughboy Center.)
 
 

Winchester Star, May 5th, 1918
____________________________

Mr. Metcalf with Troops

A letter from Rev. Joel H. Metcalf, with the Y.M.C.A. in France, states that he has left for Paris for "somewhere in France" and is with the American Boys.

The following letter from Joel H. Metcalf; pastor of the Unitarian Church, now doing Y.M.C.A. work with the United States troops in France, was received on "Flag Day".
May 14, 1918

My Dear Mr. Wilson:
    You will be glad to know that I am receiving the "Star" very promptly; in fact it is two weeks ahead of the letters.  I read in the Star that some misguided burglars, who do not know the financial status  of the ministry, actually broke into our home for money.
    I have received this information from no other source.  You doubtless have heard of the story of how the wife of an Arabian chief awoke her husband in the night saying a thief was in the tent and he told her to keep quite and if perchance the robber found anything he would arise and take it away from him.  That is my attitude toward this.  It is unnecessary for you to say he found nothing.
    I am over here with two companies of our troops in a small French village of 146 inhabitants, 161 of the men at the front and 12 killed during the war.  The officers have kindly given the Y.M.C.A. one of the barracks for a "Hut" and the men are billeted in the village.  Everything goes well.  The men are a fine lot of clean fellows and they are working hard and making great progress in military gains.  The men come from all over the country.  There are a large number of Southerners.
    I expect to do special work in illustrated lecturing on this sector soon, but also expect to keep this part of the army as my own, going to the front with them when the time comes and doing the special work of a "Y" man, which is taking chocolate, coffee, etc., to the men in the front line trenches.  I am preparing to help the doctor in first aid work.
  The weather is still very wet and very cold.  I think I can safely say I have never been so cold and wet and tired in my life; neither have I been so happy.  I teach French, preach, lecture, run a store, lend money, visit the sick, hear all about the fellows wives and "girls", run moves, boxing matches, and try to be the friend of 500 boys.  As I am the oldest man in the "bunch" I am the farther of them all.  I can say nothing in particular
    But can assure you that all goes well and our boys will be worthy of any sacrifice the people back home make for them.

Very cordially yours,

Joel H. Metcalf
1 Of 46 men...

Rev. Joel H. Metcalf

MINISTER RECEIVES PRASE
Commanding Officer Lauds Work of
Rev. Joel H. Metcalf June 30, 1918
My Dear Mrs. Metcalf:

    I am taking the liberty of writing to you a few words about your husband.
It has been my good fortune as commander of Co. C, and afterward Co. D, 7th Inf. To be thrown in with him ever since our arrival in France in the middle of April 1918.  Back of the front line he won the affection and highest regard all, including men and officers, had to bestow.
    He was and still is absolutely untiring in his efforts to add to the comforts and physical and mental wellbeing of the men. 
    But it was during our week in the front line trenches that he showed the real extent of his courage and selfsacrifice.  We had great difficulty in getting food or ant supplies to the men, due to the shell fire from the enemy.  Your husband exposed himself to the greatest danger time after time, crossing the shell-swept zone, and, burdened with a great weight of tobacco  and other articles which the men craved, came right down to the front trenches and distributed them among the men.  He was as cool as any solder
there, and I would wish for nothing better than to have a whole company of men, or any officer in my company like him.  He has done much for the Y.M.C.A. over her, and is, we think, the finest representative, among the many fine ones we have seen, of that institution, over here.
    You have every reason, as you of course well know, to be proud of himand I am glad to say he is enjoyinh the  best of health.

Very respectfully,
Joseph J. Brown
1st Lieut. Co. D, 7th Inf.

    The above letter has been secured from Mrs. Metcalf for publication.  To the very many friends of Rev. Mr. Metcalf here, it is read without surprise, but undoubtedly with great gratification, for it is a recital of those deeds which everyone who is acquainted with him would know without second thought he would accomplish in performance of his duty.
    That his work has been such as to incite the voluntary praise of the commander of the unit to which he is attached, will no doubt fill the hearts of his friends with even greater gratification, especially through the knowledge that he is the type of citizen representing the town of Winchester in the great war.
    Upon Mr. Metcalf's arrival in France he was attached to the 1st Battalion of the 7th Infantry, accompanying the troops to the front.  In a cable received last Saturday, he reported that he had left the front and was in Paris, although no further information was given.   His wife is anticipating a letter which will probably give the details.