The records contain Evan Whidden's reports to family members, in particular to his father and mother, on his experience as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the years 1917-1919. Records also include correspondence from his mother, Katherine Louise Whidden (née Ganong), to Evan during these years. Evan Whidden records his impressions of military life through his training in Canada and England and his experience of war in Europe with the Canadian Expeditionary Force from 1917-1918. He was involved in the conflict only briefly at the conclusion of the war. His letters provide an account of life in France, Belgium and Germany in 1918. Fonds also contains correspondence dating from the early 1920s from Chester New, a history professor at McMaster, who had previously taught at Brandon College, and from Whidden's father, Howard Primrose Whidden, President of Brandon College 1912-1922 and, from 1922-1949, Chancellor of McMaster University. This correspondence deals principally with the progress of Evan Whidden's education and his choice of a career in the church or the academic world. Fonds contains several publications containing work of Evan Whidden, mostly on religious themes. It also includes newspaper clippings and convocation programs dealing with Dr. Whidden's graduation from Yale and the presentation of honorary degrees to him at Pine Hill and Acadia. Fonds contains newspaper stories on the occasion of the retirement of Howard Primrose Whidden following his lengthy career as Chancellor of McMaster University. Death notices for Dr. H.P. Whidden and his wife are also to be found. Fonds also includes a copy of the Brandon College Quill from the year 1921 and an assortment of photos from Whidden's college days in Brandon,principally c. 1921, as well as other unidentified pictures including a group photograph of three Brandon College Presidents: Dr. A.P.McDiarmid, Dr. H.P.Whidden, and Dr. J.R.C. Evans.
