New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Hanover

The book, “A history of the town of Hanover, N.H.. Hanover, N.H.” by John King Lord was printed for the town of Hanover by the Dartmouth Press in 1928. Contained in that wonderful history is a section listing all those who participated in military service, in student’s army training corps, as nurses, in Red Cross Service, and in Y.M.C.A. Service. [see link to PDF section of the book].

A World War monument can be found in the little plaza in front of Town Hall (to the left of the front door as you enter) on Main Street in Hanover. Apparently its original location was on the green opposite the Hanover Inn, and it was moved to its present spot. My thanks to Teresa Oden of the Hanover Historical Society for helping me with questions and helping me to find the photograph of the monument.

This article does not cover Dartmouth College students who were not locally born or connected with Hanover New Hampshire.  The list of names of Hanover residents who served during WWI included:

—MILITARY—
Austin Adams
Robert E. Adams
Ned Bliss Allen
Allen J. Anderson
Clifford E. Aulis
Harold V. Barraby
John F. Bartlett
Percy E. Bartlett
S.C. Bartlett
Carroll M. Barwood
Napoleon Bill
Peter F. Bill
William Albert Bill
William M. Birtwell Jr.
Angus C. Black
Glenn H. Blood
George Bonneau
Edmund Bowler
John P. Bowler
Richard E. Bowler
Alexander M. Brown
Courtney Bruerton
Francis L. Bushnell
Verne Byron
Earle J. Carleton
Henry Carrette
J.C. Cavanaugh
George S. Chapin
Eugene F. Clark
Pulaski K. Cook
Harold S. Cooper
Dana J. Cote
Elijah W. Cunningham
Frank E. Davidson
Frank F. Davison
John Densmore
James E. Dillon
James T. Durkee
William P. Durkee
A.G. Eastman
Robert W. Elsasser
Myron J. Files
Clarence G. Filiau
Chester H. Forsyth
James A. Fox
Carlton P. Frost
Oscar H. Fullington
Frederick O. Garrison
Clarene R. Garron
Hugh M. Gee
Arthur Gerue
Karl H. Gibson
Kenneth D. Gilchrist
Archie Gile
John F. Gile
John M. Gile
Norman C. Goddard
A. Victor Goldiere
James W. Goldthwait
Joh L. Goodhue
Nathaniel L. Goodrich
Ross B. Gordon
James B. Gorman
John S. Gould
Ernest K. Hammond
Elden B. Hartshorn
George E. Hartshorn
Theodore D. Hartshorn
John N. Hazen
John J. Healy
Henry R. Hesse
Allen E. Hill
Harry L. Hillman
David I. Hitchcock
Gordon F. Hull
John E. Humiston
Edgar H. Hunter
Ralph J. Hutchins
Raymond W. Jones
Patrick J. Kaney
Jean C. Kellam
Howard N. Kingsford
Reinhartt Klokow
John LaCoss
Morton H. Langill
Earl G. Larue
Gottfried Ledder
Winslow H. Loveland
Elwood L. Mack
Julius S. Mason
Thomas C. Masterson
George McCarthy
S.M. Mauk
Ai W. Melendy
Lester E. Merrill
Arthur B. Meservey
Randolph N. Miller
Clarence H. Mills
Edward F. Moore
Leslie F. Murch
Joseph . Myer
Francis J. O’Gara
John E. O’Gara
Curtis H. Page
George H. Parker
*Lyman F. Pell
Raymond Pennock
Harlow S. Person
John M. Piane
Carleton A. Potter
Charles A. Proctor
George W. Rand
Howard A. Ranney
William E. Rennie
Rodney W. Richardson
Edwin E. Riley
William E. Riley
Ralph N. Rockwell
Eugene S. Rogers
*George E. Ryder
Charles W. Sanborn Jr.
Robert D. Scott
Peter J. Serafin
William Sewall
Philip Stamatiades
Albert P. Stewart
Elmer W. Stewart
A.W. Stockdale
Norman D. Stone
Richard A. Sullivan
Timothy D. Sullivan Jr.
Angelo N. Tanzi
Harry W. Tanzi
Eugene D. Towler
Stephen I. Tupper
Karl A. Wainwright
Raymond J. Ward
Harold E. Washburn
Colin E. Wells
Francis V. Wethey
Raymond C. Whitcher
John R. Williams
Francis S. Wilson
James R. Wylie Jr.

–NURSES–
Flora E. Cady
Nettie E. Edmunds
Eva M. Nelson
Ethel Jordan Parks
Lena A. Richardson
Gertrude L. Peters

–RED CROSS–
Helen G. Brown
Mrs. Helene B. Husband

–Y.M.C.A. Service–
Hoitt N. Charlton
Thomas L. Cotton
Robert C. Falconer
Herbert D. Foster
Frederic P. Lord
Howard E. Merrill
Walter H. Nelson
Lewis J. Stilwell
Florence E. Teasdale

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Heroes of HANOVER NH
-Died In Service-
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There is no doubt that most of those from Hanover NH who served were subjected to dangers and diseases that had a life-long impact on them, potentially shortening their lives. As far as I can determine, just two men with Hanover New Hampshire connections died while in service, and they are my focus.

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Lyman F. Pell | Sergeant | Killed in Action 23 October 1918 France | Co F, 101st Ammunition Train; transferred to Co. E, 101st Ammunition Train | Buried Hillside Cemetery, Norwich Vermont | Lyman F. Pell, American Legion Post, named in his honor in Norwich Vermont was chartered in 1923.

Lyman Foster Pell was born 9 July 1895 in Thetford VT, son of Lyman Pierce & Mary Eva (Carey) Pell.  In the 1900 U.S. Census Lyman is found living in Norwich Vermont with his parents and siblings Grace Anna, Rena Belle, Margurite Matilda and Myldred Evelyn.  Shortly after this the family moved to Hanover, New Hampshire where Lyman’s father was a jeweler and optician. Lyman would have received his education in the local schools of Norwich and Hanover.

The U.S. Transport Passenger Lists for WWI personnel shows that Lyman F. Pell left the United States bound for Europe on 3 October 1917 aboard the ship Aurania, at that time a Sergeant for the 101st Ammunition Train. During World War I the Ammunition Train was responsible for transporting the artillery and infantry ammunition to the troops in their battalion. The train refers to transportation which at this time was composed of wagons drawn by horses or mules, some motor vehicles and also actual locomotives when available.

The U.S. Adjutant General Military Records for Vermont gives these details: *PELL, LYMAN FOSTER, Res: Norwich, Born at Thetford; Enl: June 22, 1916, Burlington; Entered Federal Service: Apr. 3, 1917; Org: Co. “M,” 1st Vt Inf; Co. “E” 101st Am. Tn to Oct. 23, 1918; Grades: Cp. Apr 16, 1917; Sgt. Aug 23, 1917; Pvt. Nov 30, 1917; Sgt. Feb 14, 1918
Overseas: Oct 3, 1917 to Oct 23, 1918. Killed in action: Oct 23, 1918. Pl. of burial: Norwich.

The Barre Daily Times (Barre, Vermont) 17 May 1919, Page 7: “A tree recently set out on the common in Norwich bears this inscription on a copper plate: “This tree is set out by the children of the Norwich schools in memory of Sergt. Lyman F. Pell, who was killed in action in France Oct. 23, 1918.”

The Landmark (White River Junction VT) 21 July 1921, page 4 Norwich VT: “The Congregational Church was filled last Sunday afternoon with the people of the community to pay their last respects to Serg. Lyman F. Pell, whose remains were returned from the battlefields of France. The Rev. Herbert Dixon conducted the devotional service and Dr. Goss of Wilder delivered the address. The American Legion did the military honors according to military customs and Windsor Lodge I.O. O. F. of which he was a member, was represented a liberal delegation to bid earthly farewell to their departed brother. Good Samaritan Lodge of Hanover also attended in a body. The Norwich band rendered appropriate and impressive selections and led the procession to the cemetery.”
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The Landmark (White River Junction Vermont) 9 Feb 1922, page 9. “L.P. Pell, Father of World War Hero, Dies at Norwich. “Early Friday morning occurred the death of Lyman P. Pell, who had been in poor health for several months. Mr. Pell had been a resident of the town for about 20 years, and had conducted a jewelry and repair business in Hanover. He was widely known as a check player of exceptional skill, and has won many honors in that capacity. The deceased leaves a widow and five daughters, his son Lyman having fallen upon the battle fields of France. The funeral was held Sunday at 2 pm from the home on Elm Street.”

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George E. Ryder | Private | Died of Disease 12 December 1918 |Co. E, 103rd Infantry, AEF | Buried Dartmouth College Cemetery (aka Smith Cemetery), Hanover NH

George Elmer Ryder was born 14 Oct 1888 in Hanover NH, son and third child of Henry Durgin & Catherine Etta “Carrie” (Marshall) Ryder. In the 1900 United States Census he is living in Hanover NH with his widowed mother (his father having died in 1897 aged 45 from a ruptured appendix). At this time he has sibling Ernest H. Ryder.

George E. Ryder completed his WWI Registration form on 5 June 1917 in Hanover NH where he was a resident, employed in farming by Emmet H. Marshall. He was 28 years old, single, of medium height and stature with light brown hair and eyes. George enlisted 25 July 1917 and served in Co. E, 103rd infantry; A.E.F.  Official records show that he died of disease on 12 December 1918.  The Find-a-grave site adds this notation: “Died of pneumonia from being gassed/wounded”(from Town of Hanover NH; Military History by James A. MacDonald). I did not see any evidence in documents of this cause of death.  It is possible that he died in this way, but pneumonia was also a common illness as the result of contracting influenza.  The Hanover Post American Legion is named for him.

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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].