New Hampshire WWI Military: Corporal Louis P. Fraser of Nashua NH (1859- 1918)

Louis P. Fraser was born 17 June 1895 in Nashua, New Hampshire, son of Simon & Delima (Chasseur) Fraser. He grew up in Nashua, attending public school there.

He filled out a World War Registration Card on June 5, 1917, when he was living at 44 Pine Street in Nashua. His occupation was machinist, working for International Paper Box Co. He was single. He is described as being of medium height, stout body build, with grey eyes and brown hair.He was 21 when America entered the World War, and he enlisted in the Aero Squad, A.E.F. and was assigned to Co. L of the 495th. He was sent to the Aero training ground at Kelly Field, before being sent to France in March of 1918. He was killed in a vehicle accident on 22 October 1918.

U. S. Army Base Hospital Number 52, Rimaucourt, France (where Corp. Louis Fraser died). This is a general view of ward one, wounded being dressed. Photograph from U.S. National Library of Medicine.

November 30, 1918 Telegraph Newspaper. DETAILS OF DEATH OF CORP. FRASER, NASHUA SOLDIER. Mr. and Mrs. Simon P. Fraser of 14 Pine street, who recently received word of the death of their son Corp. Louis P. Fraser in a motor truck accident in France have received full details of the accident in a letter from Lieutenant Tourison. Lieutenant Tourison writes as follows: Headquarters 495 Aero Constr Squadron, American Expeditionary Forces, 28 October 1918. From Commanding Officer, To Mr. Simon P. Fraser, 44 Pine Street, Nashua NH. Subject–Death of Louis P. Fraser, Corporal (2349374) (1) It is with a deep feeling of sympathy and regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son on Oct. 22nd, 1918 at about 9 a.m. in a motor truck accident in company with two other men of the squadron. Louis was riding on the front seat of a flat truck in search of squadron supplies. Owing to an unavailable accident the truck left the road and overturned. Louis having jumped trying to save himself was caught under the truck and killed instantly. (2) The body was carried immediately to Base Hospital No. 52, where death was pronounced as due to a fractured skull and contusions of the chest. The remains have been buried at Rimaucourt (Haute-Marne) Military cemetery, Grave No. 229. The rites were administered by the priest of the Rimaucourt cathedral. (3) The record of your son since entering the service has been excellent, he having been promoted to the rank of corporal in recognition of his faithful and efficient services. His loss was deeply felt by the entire personnel of the squadron, for he was respected and admired by all. (4) Accept Sir, the most earnest sympathy of the officers and men of this command in your deep loss. Signature E.G. Tourison, First Lieutenant, A S U S A.

At the time of his death two of his brothers were in the army, one connected with aviation corps and the other stationed at Camp Devens. A funeral Mass was sung for him at St. Aloysius Church, Nashua. He is buried in St. Aloysius Cemetery, Nashua.

See New Hampshire WWI Military: The Heroes of Nashua for a listing of all military who died from the city of Nashua.

[Editor’s Note: this story is part of an on-going series about heroic New Hampshire men and women of World War I.  Look here for the entire listing].