New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Franklin

By the time the 1918 City of Franklin Annual report was printed in January of 1919, WWI had ended with an armistice declared only 2 months earlier. Those who had served (in many capacities) were beginning to return home. Edward G. Leach was Mayor during that year, and had the foresight to preserve the records of those who served.

In his inaugural address in January of 1918 he indicated: “I recommend that a Roll of Honor be kept by the City Clerk in a book kept solely for that purpose of those who have and may enter the country’s service during this war, with suitable description of their service; that this list be published in the 1918 City Report; that after the war it be further perpetuated by a marble tablet in the City Hall Building; that their taxes be abated during the war; and that suitable appropriation be made or a fund raised to render aid that may be needed by them or their dependents. I also suggested a hope that the Grand Army may so revise their constitution, if necessary, so to take them into membership or that some arrangement be made so that they can occupy jointly with the Grant Army their hall for a separate organization. Edward G. Leach, Mayor.” [1918 Franklin Annual Report, Mayor’s Address, page 8.]

In 1920 the City of Franklin published its annual report naming it “Soldiers’ Memorial Number,” containing the Names and Service Record of Franklin Men and Women Who Served in the World War. This publication is fairly complete. I say fairly because the criteria for who might be included was probably narrower than my own criteria. In my research, looking at a variety of sources, I discovered additional names. It would be an extreme task for me to write about every individual who served, so I restrict my focus to those who died–in battle, from wounds, accidents or disease, and any women who are listed. [See pdf document of all who served].

On May 21, 1920 a $3,000.00 appropriation was made for a Soldiers’ Memorial, and this memorial plaque was created and affixed to the outside wall of the Franklin City Hall building.

The 1922 City Annual Report on January 2, 1922 states: “Soldiers’ Memorial.  The last city report contained the names and record of those from Franklin who served in the World War. A bronze tablet has been placed on the Soldiers’ Memorial building bearing their names, and was dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on Armistice Day. It has been suggested that another tablet be erected bearing the names of the veterans of the Civil and Spanish Wars, and the Council of 1921 has recently voted to do this, and I have no doubt but the new Council will carry on this program.” [Editor’s note: this 2nd plaque was completed and installed on the building on the opposite side of the doorway].

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Heroes of FRANKLIN NH During WWI
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LEGEND:
[A] WWI Roll of Honor, Doric Hall, NH State House, Concord NH
[B] NH Adjutant General’s List of Killed in Action from New Hampshire
[C] U.S. Army Transport Records, WWI
[D] Inscribed on WWI monument, Front of Franklin City Hall (and the corresponding 1920 List of WWI participants from Franklin NH)
[E] WWI Draft Registration
[F] United States Passport documents
[G] Death, Burial certificates and/or Headstone Application
[H] Canadian Military Documents (online)
[I] Newspaper articles regarding service and/or death
[J] American Battle Monuments Commission
[K] Gold Star Mothers of Massachusetts
* Photograph or likeness provided or available
[#] refers to a biography following the list with additional information on a particular soldier.

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DIED IN WARTIME
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Clarence J. Beliveau |Sailor |Died of Disease (influenza) 29 Sept 1918 Franklin NH |Merchant Marine | Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH| [D][E][I][1]
Bertram M. Burke | Soldier |Died of Disease (lobar pneumonia) Camp Devens MA |In Training at Camp Devens, Harvard MA | Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH |[A][D][E][G][2]
Robert G. Burleigh*|Sergeant |Died of Disease (broncho-pneumonia due to influenza) 9 October 1918, Camp Jackson, Columbia SC | Battery F, 8th Regiment, Field Artillery| Webster Place Cemetery, Franklin NH|Credited to Cambridge MA| [E][G][I][K][3]
George E. Dion |Private|Died of Disease (pneumonia) 30 Sept 1918 |Co. C, 42nd Regt. Infantry |Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH [A][D][J][4]
Edward J. Dumoulin | Soldier| Died of Disease (pneumonia) Camp Devens MA |In Training at Camp Devens, Harvard MA | Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH|[A][D][E][G][5]
William A. Fenlason/Fenalson*|Private |Died of Disease (septicemia) 26 Oct 1918 at Base Hospital, No. 19, Vichy, France | Machine Gun Co., 103rd Infantry, 26th Division| Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH|[A][C][D][G][6]
Lester R. Fletcher |Private |Died of Disease (lobar pneumonia) 17 Sep 1918 Camp Devens MA |Co. I, 42 Infantry |Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashua NH| [A][D][E][G][7]
Alfred Laliberte|Private|Killed in Action 9 August 1918 France |245th Battalion, Canadian Grenadier Guards, 23rd Reserve, Co. C, 10th Battalion, Co. D and 22nd Battalion|[A][D][H][Unable to verify this service, burial place unknown][8]
Amede Laplante |Private |Died of Diease (pneumonia) 28 Sept 1918 Camp Upon, NY| 12th Co., 152nd Depot Brigade |Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH|[A][D][E][J][9]
William J. Longever |Private |Died of Disease (pulmonary pneumonia) 15 July 1918, Camp Hospital No. 24, France | 8th Co., 2nd Motor Machine Regiment|School Street Cemetery, Franklin NH |Also credited to Vermont |[A][D][E][10]
Leander Massicotte* |Private |Died of Disease (broncho-pneumonia) 12 January 1919, Camp Hospital No. 33, Lambezellie near Brest, France | Battery E. 65th Coast Artillery Corps|Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH | [A][C][D][E][G][I][11]
Isaiah J. Proulx |Private |Died of Disease (influenza),  21 Sept 1918, Camp Devens MA |Co. B, 42 Infantry, Camp Devens MA |Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH | [A][D][E][G][12]
Arthur E. Shaw |Private |Killed in Action (by shrapnel of shell fire) at Xivray 16 June 1918 | Co. E, 103rd Regiment|Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH |Arthur E. Shaw Post, American Legion named in his honor | [A][B][C][D][G][13]
John H. Tatro |P1c | |Machine Gun Company, 103rd Infantry, 26th Division |Killed in Action 20 July 1918,  Belleau Woods, France | Aisne-Marne Cemetery, France|Credited to Harrisville, RI |[D][I][J][K][14]
Frederic A. Toomer |Private |Died of Disease 22 Sept 1918 Camp Hunt (aka Le Courneau) France| Field Artillery, 6th Battery |Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH| [A][C][D][E][G][15]
Lynn H. Yeaton | Corporal |Died of Disease (pneumonia) 30 Sep 1918 Hanover NH Training Camp | Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH|[A][D][G][16]

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BIOGRAPHIES
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[1]Clarence Joseph Beliveau was born 3 April 1894 in Hinsdale NH, son of Philippe “Phil” & Rosila/Rosilda (McDonald) Beliveau. His World War I registration card describes him as being of medium height and stature with black hair and brown eyes. In 1910 he was living in Franklin Falls, Merrimack Co. NH with parents and sister Antonette Rose Beliveau (b 1897 Harrisville NH, m. 25 Nov 1920 at Franklin NH to Charles Angus Saunders). Clarence J. Beliveau married 3 November 1915 in Franklin NH to Audrey S. Nowell, dau of Henry P. & Eva (Stevens) Nowell.  Their marriage would not last long, for just a few days before Clarence would register for the draft, tragedy struck. The Boston Globe newspaper of Monday, July 2, 1917, page 2 reported: “FRANKLIN, N.H. WOMAN
DIES OF HER INJURIES. Portsmouth, N.H. July 2–Mrs. Audrey Beliveau, aged 22, wife of Clarence Beliveau of Franklin, N.H., who was injured while riding in a motorcycle side-car Sunday afternoon when the machine crashed into an automobile owned and driven by Stephen Hobbs of Kittery on the Rye road at Foyes Corner, died at the Portsmouth Hospital at 3:30 this morning. Mrs. Beliveau was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stevens of Franklin, and her parents were following close behind in an auto when the accident happened. Mr. Beliveau is at the hospital with a fractured right leg.”A little over a year later Clarence himself was dead. His death certificate states he died 29 September 1918 in Franklin NH, previously a resident of Harrisville NH. He was listed as occupation Sailor, death from influenza and pneumonia, a duration of 10 days. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, in Franklin NH on 3 October 1918. He had served in the Merchant Marines.  Clarence J. Beliveau is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[2] Bertram M. Burke was born 14 April 1890 in Duxbury VT, son of Michael & Mary A. (Hayes) Burke. In the 1900 U.S. Census he was living in Franklin NH with parents and siblings: Nellie Grace (b Nov 1878 VT), James Martin (who m. 1905 Bertha L. Bean), John Patrick (b 1884 N. Duxbury VT), Richard Leo (who m. 1915 Julia Mary Durgin), Bertha M. (b 1890, d. 1987), Florence A. (b 1892, d. 1985), and Loretta K. (m. Albert J. O’Mara). His WWI Draft Form was signed June 5, 1917 in Franklin NH. At that time he was aged 27, living 13 Sanger Street, Franklin. He was working as a freight handler for the B&M Railroad at Franklin NH. He indicated he had support of mother, was single and of medium height and stature, with gray eyes and brown hair. The 1920 Franklin City Report shows: “*Burke, Bertram M., Corporal, Co. A, 74th Infantry, Camp Devens, Mass. Enlisted June 28, 1918. Died of pneumonia, Sept. 28, 1918.”  The 1918 City of Franklin Annual report shows that his body was returned to Franklin NH for burial, and his death certificate agrees. His body lies in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH.

[3] Robert Gordon Burleigh* was born 25 November 1894 in Rochester NH, son of Dr. Robert Fletcher & Carrie E. (Tichnor) Burleigh. Robert G. Burleigh’s name does not appear on the city’s honor roll, as he is credited to Cambridge MA. However he is associated with Franklin because his father was born there and there were other family connections to the city. Robert G. Burleigh graduated in 1914 from Staunton Military Academy in Virginia (see graduation pic). He was a resident in Massachusetts twenty years prior to his death. He had previously served as 1st Lieut. Philippine Constabulary.  Even before the United States joined their allies in World War I, Robert G. Burleigh was in non-military service. A passport was issued to him on 16 January 1915 [see photograph of him at top of this post]. At that time he stated he was living in  Boston MA, a salesman. The request for passport was to travel to  France/Belgium as a member of the Ambulance Service for an American Hospital.
He was 20 uears old, 5ft 6 inches tall, with a high forehead, light brown eyes, straight nose, small mouth, square chin, light brown hair, light complexion, and oval face. By September 1915 he was headed for France.  His WWI Registration form was completed Cambridge MA on 6 May 1918, and he was living at 86 Buckingham Street. The Boston Globe newspaper of Friday May 31, 1918 printed: “No Formal Sendoff for the Cambridge Men. Another quota of 80 draftees left Cambridge this afternoon for Slocum NY …[includes name of Robert G. Burleigh].”  He married 13 September 1918 in Staunton Virginia to Amy Harmon. She is shown in the book “Gold Star Mothers of Massachusetts” as Amy Harman Burleigh of Elmhurst, L.I.  Amy Harman Burleigh was born 20 September 1900 in Staunton Virginia, daughter of Hartwell M. & Mary V. (Stevens) Burleigh. She was a graduate of Barnard College, Bachelor Degree, Class of 1931. In 1930 living Manhattan NY. In 1940 she was a widow teaching at a private school in New York City. She died 31 December 1963.   Sergeant Robert G. Burleigh died of disease (broncho-pneumonia due to influenza) 9 October 1918, Camp Jackson, Columbia SC. He was a member of Battery F, 8th Regiment, Field Artillery. The News Leader (Staunton, Virginia) of 10 October 1918 reported: “Dread Disease Takes Husband of Local Girl. A telegram received here during the day bore the sad news of the death at Camp Jackson, Columbia, S.C., Wednesday night of Sergeant Robert Gordon Burleigh, who on September the 13th, married Miss Amy Harman, daughter of Mrs. H.M. Harman, of this city. He has been struck ill since Saturday a week ago, first stricken with Spanish influenza, which developed into pneumonia. Mr. Burleigh was known to many here, having attended the Staunton Military Academy, where he graduated with high honors. He was a native of Boston, Mass. Before the U.S. entered the war he went to France with a hospital unit. He was in this unit a year and was reported as missing but was later found to be in a hospital wounded. Upon recovering, he was sent to the Untied States, and given an appointment in the American Constabulary in the Philippines where he remained until early in the summer. He later entered the army, and was sent to Camp Jackson, where he passed away….”  Robert G. Burleigh is buried in  Webster Place Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[4] Arsene aka George E. Dion was born 12 Jan 1895 in Johnson, Lamoille VT, son of Joseph and Olivea (Choquette) Dion. The 1900 U.S. Census shows George E. Dion (listed as Arsen) living in Franklin NH with parents and sibings: Elfugina, Mary Regina (who m. Michael J. Doherty), Elmaria, Emil, Angelina, Hector, Alecthe, and Arthur (m. 1919 Annie Cassidy). Later a sister Florida would be born (and m. Joseph A. Tousignant). The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows: “*Dion, George E., Private. Co. C, 42nd Regt. Infantry, Camp Devens, Mass. Enlisted June 28, 1918. Died of pneumonia at Camp Devens, Sept. 30, 1918. His death certificate and burial record confirms this. He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH.

[5] Edward James Dumoulin was born 29 September 1887 in Franklin NH, son of Arthur & Arsilie/Arzelie M. (Dubois) Dumoulin.  In 1900 he was living in Franklin NH with his widowed mother, and siblings Vitaline, Mary and Sophie.  His WWI Registration form was completed on 5 June 1917 in Northfield NH. He was 19 years old and living at Holmes Ave in Northfield, working as a weaver for A.D. Carter of Northfield. He was single, had been a private in the Machine Gun Co. of the NH National Guard for 3 months. He was of medium height and build with brown eyes and black hair. He married 4 Aug 1918 in Concord NH to widow Ida M. Seavey. She was b. Hill NH, dau of Quincy & Heneretta E. “Etta” (Cheney) Dustin. [He would die a little over a month later].  The 1920 Franklin City Report: “*Dumoulin, Edward J., Enlisted June 28, 1918. Died at Camp Devens, Mass., Sept. 28, 1918 of pneumonia.  Records also show that his body was returned for burial to the Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[6] William Allen Fenlason aka Fenalson* was born 26 Feb 1896 Pittsfield MA, son of William H. & Mary E. (Knowles) Fenlason. The 1910 U.S. Census shows him living in Franklin Falls New Hampshire with his parents, and one sibling Frank Stillman Fenlason.  The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows: *Fenlason, William A., Private, Machine Gun Co., 103rd Infantry, 26th Division. Locations: Camp Keyes, N.H.; Camp Bartlett, Mass; Camp Borden, England A.E.F., France. Wounded at Chateau-Thierry, July 22, 1918. Died at Base Hospital, No. 19, Vichy, France, Oct. 26, 1918. Enlisted July 27, 1917. Previous Service: N.H. National Guard. The U.S. Military Transport Service Record concurs with this information.  After the war his remains were returned home to the united States where he was reburied in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH.  See his photograph here, in uniform.
[7] Lester Ray Fletcher was born 11 April 1892 in Nashua NH, son of  Will Clay & Nellie (Miller) Fletcher. He had siblings: Ethel May (1885), Bertha Clay (1888)., Ida May (1893), Lillie May (b 1893). In 1910 the family was living in Franklin, New Hampshire. His WWI Registration Form was completed at Haverhill MA, when he was residing at 27 Hyatt Ave, Haverhill MA, a farmer employed by F.W. Spinney. He was of medium height and stature with blue eyes and brown hair. The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows: “*Fletcher, Lester R., Private, Co. I, 42 Infantry. Camp Devens, Mass, Enlisted July 23, 1918. Died from influenza at Camp Devens, Sept. 17, 1918.”  His death certificate concurs, and shows that his body was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Nashua NH.
[8] Alfred Laliberte was born 31 Mar 1896 at St Ephrem De Beauce, Quebec, son of Joseph & Josephine (Mercier) Laliberte. In the 1910 U.S. Census he was living with his family at 24 Spring Street in Franklin NH; at the age of 15 he was already working in a hosiery mill.  He had siblings Yvonne, Peter and Albert. He enlisted 28 July 1916 at Sherbrooke PQ Canada, and he gave his occupation as weaver, and NOK his father, Joseph. His physical description was 5 ft 7 inches tall, black hair, and black eyes. His Regimental Number was 856615. His Canadian papers can be seen here.  NOTE: I could NOT find any evidence to prove the information which was printed in the 1920 Franklin City Annual Report on this man’s status. The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report states: “*Laliberte, Alfred, Private, 245th Battalion, Canadian Grenadier Guards, 23rd Reserve, Co. C, 10th Battalion, Co. D and 22nd Battalion. Locations: Montreal PQ, Shoreham-by-Sea, England; Western Front, France. Enlisted October 21, 1916. Killed in Action during the attack and advance from Caix to East Mehancourt, August 9, 1918.” His burial place is unknown.
[9] Amede Laplante was born 7 June 1894 in St. Monique, PQ Canada, son of Arthur & Alphonsine (Lefebvre) Laplante.  Amede’s naturalization records of 1917 show that he immigrated to the United States via Vermont on the B&M Railroad on 17 August 1900. At that time he stood 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighed 125 pounds and had brown eyes and brown hair. [In 1901 the Canadian Census of Sainte-Monique, Nicolet, Quebec Canada shows him listed in the household with his family. He had sibings Armeline “Amer”, Fredeine “Fredoline”, Omer “Amer”, Armeline, Alsia, Maria, Lydia, Rosa, and Raymond.  His WWI Registration form was completed on 5 June 1917 in Franklin NH. At that time he was 23 years old, living at 59 Chestnut Street Franklin NH. He stated he was of medium height and stature with blue eyes and brown hair. [note: which is different than the brown eyes on his naturalization records].  The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows: “Laplante, Amede. Private, 12th Co., 152nd Depot Brigade, Camp Upton N.Y. Enlisted Sept 5, 1918. DIed from pneumonia, Camp Upton NY, Sept. 28, 1918.”  Records show that he was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH, in his family’s burial plot.
[10] William James Longever aka Longver was born 20 September 1892 in Lebanon NH, son of William H. & Annie (Flynn) Longever. His WWI Registration form was completed on 2 June 1917 in Lebanon NH. He was residing in Franklin NH at 79 West Bow Street, was married and working as a mechanic in Fellows Gear Shop Co. of Springfield Vermont. He was tall with a medium stature, had blue eyes and light  brown hair. William J. Longever married Mabel E. Stas, and they had a son Francis William Longever, born 3 July 1912 in West Windsor VT and died 20 December 1981 in Vermont.  After his death his widow Mabel married 2d) Willard F. Terry and was living in Plymouth MA in 1940. Vermont claims his service and the US Adjutant General Military Records of Vermont show: LONGEVER, WILLIAM J.; Res. Springfield [VT] Born at Lebanon NH; Enl: Dec 15, 1917, Ft. Slocum NY; Org: 2d Rct Co. G.S.I. to Jan. 12, 1918; Co. “I”, 2d Mr. Mec. Regt., Sig. Corps. to July 15, 1918; Overseas: March 4, 1918 to July 15, 1918;
Died of Disease: July 15, 1918. Pl of Burial: School Street Cemetery, Lebanon NH. The U.S. Army Transport documents show in March of 1918 when he shipped out to Europe he was in Company 8, 2d Motor Mech Mechanics Regiment, Signal Corps.  The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows:”*Longever, William J., Private, 8th Co., 2nd Motor Machine Regiment. Locations: Camp Merritt, N.J.; A.E.F., France. Enlisted Dec. 13, 1917. Died of pulmonary pneumonia. Camp Hospital No. 24, France, July 15, 1918.” [Notes: Camp Hospital No. 20 was established November 11, 1917, at Camp de Souge, Department Gironde, base section No. 2. It functioned in barrack-type buildings, constructed by the United States Engineers, and had a bed capacity of 750. This hospital served the troops in Camp de Souge, the second aerial observation and balloon school, and several billeting areas. Camp Hospital No. 20 ceased to operate May 2, 1919, and its personnel were reassigned to other organizations for duty. –U.S. Army, Office of Medical History] After the war ended, William J. Longever’s body was returned to the United States and is buried in|School Street Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[11] Joseph Landre aka Leander Massicotte* was born 12 November 1892 in Franklin NH,
son of Philias/Phelias/Felix & Sophie (Marchand/Merchant) Massicotte. He completed his WWI Draft Registration Form stating the following: Leandre P. Massicotte, aged 24. Residing at 2 Forrest St., Franklin NH. Occupation: textile worker at Sulloway’s Mills, Franklin NH. He was of medium height and stature with brown eyes and dark hair. On 22 March 1918 he departed a port in Maine aboard the ship, Canada, to Europe. At that time the U.S. Transport Record show him in Battery D of the 65th Coast Artillery Corps.  The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows: “*Massicotte, Leander., Private. Battery E. 65th Coast Artillery Corps. Locations: Fort Williams and Fort Levett, Portland, Me.; A.E.F., France. Engaged in four actions, names unobtainable. Enlisted Dec. 20, 1917. Died of broncho-pneumonia, Jan 12, 1918 [should be 1919] at Camp Hospital No. 33, Lambezellie near Brest, France. [NOTE: His death record plus a notice in the newspaper of his death in December of 1919 corroborate that year and not 1918].  It is known that he died at Camp Hospital No. 33, Lambezellie near Brest, France. He was buried locally then after the war his body was shipped home and he was reburied in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH. [SEE photograph].
[12] Isaiah J. aka Isiah Proulx was born September 9, 1891 in Ste Auzaire, Canada, PQ, son of Oliver & Georgiana (Boisvert) Proulx. In 1910 he is found in the U.S. Census living in Franklin NH with parents, and sibling Margaret and Ovide. His WWI Registration was completed 5 June 1917 in Franklin NH. At that time he was 26 years old and living at 168 Franklin Street, Franklin NH. Isiah was single, of medium height and stature with gray eyes and dark brown hair. He lists a condition as “total disable.” The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows: *Proulx, Isiah J., Private, Co. B, 42 Infantry, Camp Devens, Mass. Enlisted June 28, 1918. Died with influenza at Camp Devens, Sept. 21, 1918.”   He is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[13] Arthur E. Shaw was born 6 November 1897 in Franklin NH son of Arthur Eugene & Nellie May (Shepard) Shaw, and grandson of Gerrish & Melissa (Heath) Shaw.In 1900 he can be found in the U.S. Census living with his family in Franklin NH and including siblings: Ida E., Zola, and Moses G. WWI Transport Records show that he departed New York City on 25 Dec 1917, bound for Europe on the ship, Saxonia.  The Franklin City Annual Report of 1920 indicates: “Shaw, Arthur E., Private, Co. E, 103rd Regiment. Locations: Camp Keyes, N.H. Camp Bartlett, Mass.; A.E.F., France. Killed by shrapnel at Xivray June 16, 1918. Enlisted July 27, 1917. Previous service in N.H. National Guard.  He was at first buried in Europe, and records show that he was buried 26 June 1921 in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[14] John H. Tatro was born 14 August 1899 at Burrillville RI, son of Henry & Louise Anna (St. Peter) Tatro.  His mother died 12 Jan 1902 in Harrisville RI, and his father remarried Levonie/Leonie Lambert.  The 1900 and 1910 U.S. Censuses show him to be living in Burrillville, Providence Co., Rhode Island. Franklin City Report 1920: “*Tatro, John H. Private 1st Class, Machine Gun Company, 103rd Infantry, 26th Division. Locations Camp Keyes, N.H., Camp Bartlett, Mass., A.E.F., France. Enlisted Juy 27, 1917. Killed in action at Belleau Woods, July 20. 1918.”  He is buried in Aisne-Marne Cemetery, France and credited to Harrisville, RI  [Editor’s note: I am unsure why he is listed on Franklin’s monument and honor list.]

[15] Frederick Allen Toomer was born 3 August 1891 in Franklin NH, son of George Allen & Minnie (Duford) Toomer. At the age of 25 he completed his WWI Registration form in Franklin NH (on 5 June 1917).  At that time he was living at 25 No. Main Street, Franklin NH, working as a barber for Frank Drake. He was single, of medium height and weight with black hair and black eyes. U.S. Military Transport Records show that he left Newport News VA aboard the ship, Pastores, as a member of 6th Battery, August Automatic Replacement Draft at Camp Jackson, SC.   The Franklin City Annual 1920 Report shows: “*Toomer, Frederic A., Private. Field Artillery, 6th Battery. Locations: Fort Slocum NY; Camp Jackson, S.C., Camp Hunt, France. Enlisted June 1, 1918. Died at Camp Hunt, France, of broncho-pneumonia, Sept. 22, 1918.” According to the blog, Invisible Bordeau, Camp Hunt was located at Le Courneau, in France. “In January 1918 the French turned Canp de Courneau over to the Americans, who renamed it Camp Hunt and used it for artillery training [America and the World War by Mark D. Van Ells]…Disease continued to haunt this camp, this time the Spanish Flu. Eighty-seven Americans were buried across the road from the Senegalese mass grave, most of them victims of influenza, though a few were airmen who died in accidents at the nearby Cazaux air field. Today the Camp Hunt site is part of a French Air Force based closed to the public. The Senegalese/Russian mass grave is now a military cemetery known as the Necropole du Natus, located in the forest a few hundred meters west of the intersection of D112 and D256 highways. After the war, the American dead were returned to the United States or reburied at the Suresnes American Cemetery outside Paris. However, there is a small memorial where the American cemetery once was.” When the war ended the remains of Frederick A. Toomer were returned to the United States where he was reburied on 5 January 1921 in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH.
[16] Lynn H. Yeaton was born on 6 April 1892 in Franklin NH, son of Frank E. & Ida C. (Wiggin) Yeaton, grandson of Eben P. & Mary (Tucker) Yeaton. He appears to have been an only child. In 1900 and 1910 he was living in Franklin NH with his parents.   He married 25 Dec 1917 in Franklin NH to Lena M. Kimball, dau of Frank S. & Charlotte (Keniston) Kimball. The 1920 Franklin City Annual Report shows : “*Yeaton, Lynn H., Corporal. Dartmouth College, N.H. Enlisted June 15, 1918. Died of pneumonia at Hanover NH, Sept 30, 1918.” During WWI Dartmouth College was being used as a military training camp and Lynn Yeaton was probably there for that reason. His death certificate states cause of death as pneumonia and nephritis.  He was buried on on 3 October 1918 in Franklin Cemetery, Franklin NH.

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WOUNDED IN ACTION
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Private Eugene J. Gignac was born 23 April 1895 in Franklin NH, son of Pierre & Rosana (Dargie) Gignac.  In 1900 he was living in Sanbornton NH with his parents and siblings Flora M., Lewis W., Georgianna, and Victor G.   Eugene J. Gignac completed his WWI Registration form on June 4 1917 at Lawrence MA. He was 22 years old and gave his residence as Cottage Hotel, River Street, Franklin MA. He was a mill operative working for American Woolen Company in Lawrence, was single, short and slender with blue eyes and light hair.  The 1920 City of Franklin Annual Report shows: “Gignac, Eugene J., Private 39th Infantry, 7th Brigade, 4th Division. Locations: Camp Greene, N.C.; Camp Mills, N.Y., A.E.F., France. Actions: Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, Toul, Marne. Wounded at Chateau-Thierry, August 3, 1918. Term of Service, March 22, 1918 to Jan. 17, 1919.”  When he returned home from the war, he married 1 Feb 1932 in Suncook NH to Delina M. Bouchard, daughter of Joseph Bouchard and Delvina Demers.  They had several children: Henry F. Gignac (b 12 May 1929 Suncook NH, died 15 August 1998 PA; Norman E. Gignac, b 6 Dec 1932 Franklin NH, died 15 Jan 1994 in San Joaquin, California; Donald J. Gignac; George J. Gignac, born 13 April 1936 Briston NH and d. 24 April 1999 in Oregon; and Eugene J. Gignac Jr., b 9 March 1938 in Hill NH and died 15 August 1989.
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Also SEE: — New Hampshire WWI Military: The Nurse Heroes of Franklin

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[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].