The collection of Lydia S. M. Robinson relating to World War I covers the period 1914-1942, with the bulk of the material concentrated in the period 1914-1918. The collection consists of correspondence, service records, and other material relating to American citizens who joined the Allied Powers prior to the official entrance of the United States into World War I. It also relates to those Americans who were rejected for military service by American recruiting officers for medical reasons or age after this country went to war, but were able to enlist in one of the Allied services. Americans who became citizens of other countries are not included. The collection is organized into three series: General Correspondence and Other Material , Military Service Record Data Sheets , and Miscellany .

The Military Service Record Data Sheets include date and place of birth, name of parents, date and place of enlistment, declaration of citizenship, outfit and branch of service, and name of country for which service was rendered. Some of the volunteers cited decorations of valor received and recounted events that took place at the battlefront. The data sheets indicate that some of the men in the Allied services later transferred to American armed services after this country joined the Allies against the Central Powers.

In the Miscellany series are military service records lists, miscellaneous notes, clippings, and photographs, and card indexes to the data sheets in the previous series. Also in Miscellany is a roster of American Field Service Volunteers from World War II, 1939-1942.