War I. She already was a Salvation Army officer when, in 1917, a tele-
gram arrived ordering Helen to be ready to go to France in 10 days.
send the best of the best to France to aid the
American troops fighting in Europe.
hungry Doughboys. Ensign Purviance (her rank
at that time) saw the rations of flour, sugar,
lard, canned milk and nutmeg and needed to do
something. Not much could be made from those
ingredients, but Purviance thought of dough-
nuts. Eggs were available from local farms, so
the Salvationists on duty heated up the stove
and used a wine bottle to roll the dough.
gry soldiers. A cutter was soon made so dough-
nuts with holes in the middle became the norm.
dispensed free refreshments and small items
the soldiers needed.
the women's training officer in New York and
later retired as the assistant field secretary of
the Eastern Territory. Purviance was promoted
to Glory in 1984, after 76 years as a Salvation
Army officer.
home to the troops stationed overseas, along
with kind words, help with letter writing, provi-
sion of basic supplies and spiritual counsel.
Research Department, Alexandria, VA.