Over twenty years ago my mother, Bonnie Ashworth, passed along to me an old, worn ledger book. The book contained poetry written over one hundred and fifty years ago by her great-great-grandfather and passed down to her by her Grandmother, Caroline Billingham Bentz (Grandpa Murphy s granddaughter.) The family possessed several pictures of the author, but no one in the clan could remember precisely who this lyrical ancestor was. He was known to the family as simply Grandpa Murphy. The acquisition of this family heirloom marked the beginning of my long search for the identity of the mysterious Grandpa Murphy, and my family history in general; a search that would ultimately lead me to a small historical society basement on the Northern Neck of Virginia where many of my questions began to be answered.

Over twenty years ago my mother, Bonnie Ashworth, passed along to me an old, worn ledger book. The book contained poetry written over one hundred and fifty years ago by her great-great-grandfather and passed down to her by her Grandmother, Caroline Billingham Bentz (Grandpa Murphy s granddaughter). The family possessed several pictures of the author, but no one in the clan could remember precisely who this lyrical ancestor was. He was known to the family as simply Grandpa Murphy. The acquisition of this family heirloom marked the beginning of my long search for the identity of the mysterious Grandpa Murphy, and my family history in general; a search that would ultimately lead me to a small historical society basement on the Northern Neck of Virginia where many of my questions began to be answered.

Albert E. Poirier, Sr., a member of the ""Greatest Generation,"" wrote this memoir detailing the roots of his French-Canadian history, his childhood in the working-class town of Fall River, his schooling in far-off Canada, and his service in the United States Army during World War Two. While originally intended for his family alone, the publication of this memoir provides readers an opportunity to discover the world of an uncommon 20th century young man. Albert Poirier passed away before being able to complete his life memoir, but his grandson has edited this edition so as to share his grandfather's story for all to enjoy.