New Hampshire in WWI: The Cadillac Shrapnel Car

Photograph of “Caddie” the Cadillac that earned recognition for its service in World War I., from the 1919 Nashua Telegraph and several other newspapers.

On the 25 November 1919 the Nashua Telegraph (Nashua NH) newspaper contained an advertisement for H.C. LINTOTT, Cadillac Agent, 25 Main Street in Nashua New Hampshire. The ad stated that “Caddie” would be on exhibition in that showroom. Herbert Charles Lintott was at first a mechanic and then the first automobile dealer in the city of Nashua.

“Caddie” was a Type 55 Cadillac Phaeton, the first automobile to be landed with the American forces, and according to the ad, going with the Fifth Regiment of Marines arriving on 28 June 1917. The automobile was the transport vehicle of high-ranking leaders as the regiment changed hands from Brigadier Generals Charles A. Doyen, W.C. Neville and Logan Feland (all commanders of the regiment). The Cadillac driver’s name was Sgt. George Damewood, whose mother Emma Damewood lived in Little York, Illinois. He received a distinguished service citation “for carrying messages and assisting wounded men during the capture of Vierry” [sic, ?Thierry] in July of 1918.

The promotion gives these details: “while in France, the U.S. 1127 responded to every roll call, never was A.W.O.L., and never went to sick bay, except for one day when a German shell landed a few yards away and thirty-seven shell fragments struck the car from stem to stern. The shell damaged only the body and the next day the Cadillac was again in service, transporting the regimental commander to all parts of the battle line. No attempt was made to repair the damage. From the Chateau Thierry sector the car was driven to the Soisson area, then to the St. Mihiel drive. After this the regiment again returned to the vicinity of Toul and the Cadillac followed it when the Second Division was selected by General Foch to co-operate with General Gouraud’s French Division in an effort to free Rheims from the menace of the Boche.”

“From the Champagne, the Cadillac followed its regiment to the Argonne sector where it continued until the signing of the Armistice. Through Luxembourg and Germany the regiment went overland to Coblenz and the Cadillac consumed mileage on German roads until the regiment started for Brest. She made the run to the crowed port and was unloaded in Newport News, Virginia on August 10, 1919.”

Other details of the vehicle contained in the advertising include that it traveled 90,000 miles while overseas, that it bore the car registration “U.S. 1126.” When the war ended it was used for exhibition purposes by Marine Corps recruiters in Boston, MA. In addition to being placed on exhibit in various Cadillac dealerships, it was also ridden in various parades.

As for Mr. Lintott who was responsible for bringing this historic vehicle to Nashua —

H.C. Lintott from Granite State Monthly.

Herbert Charles Lintott, son of Benjamin & Mary (Watson) Lintott, was b 6 Aug 1870 in Ditton, Canada. He immigrated to the US in 1885, and legally became a naturalized citizen on 24 Oct 1892. He died 19 Nov 1956 in Nashua NH, and was buried in Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua NH.

He was one of Nashua’s top wrestlers and boxers. Before he became the first automobile dealer in Nashua, he worked at the White Mountain Freezer Co. and the Rollins Engine Co as a mechanic. He started his automotive business in a building located where the Public Library now stands, then moved to the first floor of the First Baptist Church where he sold bicycles and photographs. He established himself as an auto dealership and moved to 25 Main Street where he remained for more than 40 years.

Herbert C. Lintott married 1st) 13 Sep 1893 in Nashua NH to Sadie A. Sargent, daughter of John Milton & Henrietta Lidia (Fish) Sargent. She was born 30 June 1875 in Weare NH and died 10 January 1911 in Nashua NH. He married 2d) 9 Nov 1929 in Nashua NH to Flora Beatrice Bundy, dau of Frank S. & Dora (Thompson) Bundy. [2nd marr for both, he a widow, hers annulled] She was born 20 July 1893 in Nashua NH and died 1969. She is buried in Sunnyside Cemetery, Hudson NH.
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Children of Herbert C. & Sadie (Sargent) Lintott:
1. Rose “Rosa” Lintott born 19 Nov 1894, died 28 Oct 1975; married Ellon Perley Wiggins; lived St. Louis Missouri.
2. Guy Herbert Lintott born 30 Aug 1898 Nashua NH.
3. Alice Lintott born 4 Jan 1905 Nashua NH; died 1 Nov 1969 Nashua NH; married Earle William Thomas. Buried Edgewood Cemetery, Nashua NH.
4. Arthur Lee Lintott, born 7 August 1907 Nashua NH; married 31 January 1934 in Nashua NH to Idella M. LaMontagne, daughter of Pamphile R. & Mary (Turner) LaMontagne.

[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].