Long before Kenneth Roberts found fame for his historical fiction novels, he spent time in Siberia with the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I as a Military Intelligence Officer. To my knowledge, little is known about Roberts’ time in Siberia other than what he wrote of it (for instance, he mentions his time there in his autobiography I Wanted to Write).
Today I came across a blog devoted to Edith Faulstich-Fisher who spent the later part of her life to chronicling the AEF from the viewpoint of the soldiers. Kenneth Roberts played a small role in this work as the late Ms. Faulstich-Fisher corresponded with him as she researched for this work. According to the preface of her book (available on the blog here), Roberts provided her a list of the men who served in the AEF between 1918-20.
This seems like it would be a fascinating read for any Kenneth Roberts fan as one can learn about the Siberian Expedition through the mouths of those who served there. Another great glimpse (indirectly) into the life of Kenneth Roberts the man.
Filed under: Kenneth Roberts the Man | Tagged: American Expeditionary Forces, Edith Faulstich-Fisher, I Wanted to Write, Siberia, The Siberian Sojourn, WWI |
Kenneth Roberts - The Unofficial Site 
Many warm and gracious thanks for posting a kind mention about my grandmother, Edith M. Faulstich. I am sure she is pleased with my well intentioned efforts to sustain her life’s work. There is more about her on Wikipedia as an additional side note and the AEF and Beringen, Switzerland as part of the ever growing organic background about her in more depth.
My Genuine thanks again
Alice M. Fisher