New Hampshire WWI Military: More Heroes of Cheshire County

The WWI soldiers in these biographies were credited to a town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire. WWI deaths were attributed to a specific town based on a variety of criteria that was not always consistent from town to town. Their attributed location could have been their birth place, or where they married, or where they registered for the World War I Draft. Other reasons were they indicated the town as their last known address, or noted some next of kin or friend living there during wartime.

I’ve made every attempt to identify these heroes of World War I, and have placed some of them in this County Heroes list in order to recognize them. If you find them here, then their name appears on the New Hampshire WWI Honor Roll, in Doric Hall, State House, Concord NH (unless otherwise noted). Let us not forget!

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Heroes of CHESHIRE COUNTY
NEW HAMPSHIRE
(Died in Service)
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Ceremonies held in a Hoboken pier for the war dead in flag-draped caskets, Hoboken, 1921. Hoboken Historical Museum.

Edward Bouford
Credited to Troy, Cheshire Co. NH
Edward Bouford was born 25 August 1892 in Harrisville NH, son of Isreal & Emma (Fortier) Bouford. In the 1910 U.S. Census he was living in Winchester, NH with his parents and siblings Nora, Ralph, Arthur, Lydia, Oscar, [Omer], *Eddie, and Romeo.  By 1916 his father had moved to Keene and he was working locally, boarding at his father’s home.  By June of 1917 when he completed his WWI Registration form, he was living in Troy NH a spinner at Troy Blanket Mill. He was single, of medium height and stout build with brown eyes and black hair.  He served in the U.S. Army during WWI. He had trained at Camp Jackson, SCFA and was assigned to the 22nd Battery, shipped to Europe on 23 July 1918 from Brooklyn NY. His service number was 388101.  The local newspapers reported his death by 16 December 1918. The NH Adjutant General’s List of Casualties state he died on 3 November 1918 in France and credits him to Troy, New Hampshire.  The U.S. Military Transport Passenger List shows that his body was returned to the United States when the war ended, arriving from Antwerp Belgium to Hoboken NH aboard the ship, Cantigny on 21 July 1921.   His burial place is unknown, though his parents are buried in Saint Joseph Cemetery, Keene NH.  His name is inscribed on the NH Roll of Honor in the NH State House building, Concord.

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Carl P. Britton
Credited to Alstead, Cheshire Co. NH
Carl Prentiss Britton was born 23 Aug 1895 in Alstead NH, son of Prentiss & Jessie (Griffith) Britton. He grew up and attended the local schools. In both the 1900 and 1910 U.S. Census records he is living with his family in Alstead NH, including siblings Herman Rodeny, Ralph Henry Maud Marie, Lottie Ross, and Roscoe L.  He married 17 May 1913 in Gilsum NH to Rua Beckwith, dau of Henry & Jennie Beckwith.  During WWI he served in the U.S. Army, assigned as a Private to Casual Detachment 90th Division, sailing for Europe on 6 July 1918 from New York City aboard the ship Louisville. His service number was 1749368.  He was a member of Co. K, 358th Infantry when he was wounded in action on 25 September 1918.  He died two weeks later on 25 September 1918 from these wounds. When the war ended, his remains were returned home and he was reburied with honors in East Alstead Cemetery, East Alstead NH.  His name appears on the NH WWI Honor Roll in the New Hampshire State House, Concord NH.

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Private Leo Guy Hakey
Credited to Marlborough, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire
Leo Guy Hakey was born 2 April 1892 in Vernon, Vermont, son of Charles C. “Charlie” & Julia (Stebbins) Hakey.  His WWI Registration Card of 5 June 1917 shows him single, living and working in Harrisville NH. He is described as single, short and slender with blue eyes and brown hair.  He married 15 June 1912 in Brattleboro VT to Gladys Effa Burke, daughter of Albert & Effa Ellen (?) Burke. They divorced. She m2d) 28 June 1914 in Brattleboro VT to Wallace Almon Thayer.  The Vermont Adjutant General’s list details his service as follows:  *HAKEY, LEO GUY. Res.: Brattleboro. Born at Vernon. Service number: 1,044,475. Enlisted June 22, 1917 Ft. Slocum NY, 25-3/12 years.  Org: 2d Tct. Co., G.S.I., Ft. Slocum NY to July 7, 1917; Btry “D,” 19th Fld. Arty to Sept 6, 1918. Overseas May 27, 1918 to Sept 6, 1918. Died in Service, Sept 6, 1918 Pl. of burial: Burgess Cemetery, Grafton.  Military records show that he “died of accident” while in service though the details are not available. A newspaper clipping states that he was wounded and transported to a hospital in France where he died.  When the war ended his body was returned to the United States and reburied in Burgess Cemetery, Grafton, Windham Co. VT.  The Springfield Reporter newspaper (Springfield VT) of 11 August 1921 reported on his funeral.  “The funeral of Leo Guy Hakey, who died in France, was held at the Congregational church Friday morning, Rev. W.J. Ballou officiating. Guy Hakey was born in Vernon and spent his life in Grafton, Brattleboro and Gassetts. Although short of stature, and after making three attempts to enlist, he was finally accepted and sent overseas, as a member of 19th battery, Company D, Field artillery. He died in service Sept. 6, 1918, at the age of 27 years. His sister, Mrs. Malcolm Chapman, lives in Gassetts. Members of the American Legion and a large number of relatives attended the funeral. He was laid to rest in the Burgess cemetery with military honors.”

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Private Vernon H. Kenneson
Credited to Walpole, Cheshire Co., New Hampshire
Vernon Henry Kenneson was born 3 June 1896 in Freedom, NH, son of Wesley M. & Clara M. (Stuart) Kenneson.  In the 1910 US Census living with family in Eaton, Carroll Co. NH. He had one sibling, and older brother, Norman W. Kenneson [who served during WWI in the US Army from 25 April 1918 to 30 Jan 1919].  He completed his WWI Registration form at Eaton NH on 5 June 1917. He was single, living in Eaton NH and working as an automobile body maker for W.N. Snow. He described himself as short, of medium build with brown eyes and dark brown hair. He married 12 May 1918 in Newburyport MA to Marion V. Cobb-Knight, daughter of Frank & Carrie Cobb. On his death certificate he is listed as “Vernon Kennerson,” a Private in 26th Co. 7th BDB (151st Depot Brigade) His residence North Conway NH. He died on 24 September 1918 at the base hospital Camp Devens MA, Soldier, U.S. Govt., married. Place of burial not listed (unusual). He died 24 Sep 1918 of lobar pneumonia, and was buried in Snowville Cemetery, Eaton NH.  Vernon H. Kenneson’s name is engraved on the NH WWI Honor Roll, Doric Hall, NH State House, Concord.

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Chauncey A. King
Credited to Walpole, Cheshire Co., NH
Chauncey Augustin King was born on 19 Feb 1893 North Walpole NH, son of William J. & Annie (Dower) King. He had one siblings, John W. King. Chauncey completed his WWI Registration form on 5 June 1917 at Walpole NH. He was a drug clerk for H.R. Church of Alstead NH. He was single, of medium height, stout build, and having gray eyes and black hair.  During WWI his service number was 392133 and he served as a Sergeant First Class in the Tank Corps of the 33snd Battalion, HQ Section. He departed for Europe from NYC on 25 Sep 1918 aboard the ship Oxfordshire.   He Died of Wounds on 5 October 1918. He is recognized at Surenes American Cemetery and Memorial, France.

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Clarence J. Popple
Credited to West Rindge, NH
Clarence Joseph Popple was born 15 April 1891 in Rindge NH, son of Joseph & Emma V. (Comstock) Popple. In 1900 and 1910 the U.S. Census shows him living in Rindge NH with his parents and siblings Stella M., Albert Charles (1895-1984), Jennie E., Lillian A., Earnest A., and Richard J.   On 5 June 1917 he completed his WWI Registration Card in West Rindge NH where he was working as a farmer for R.R. Robinson. He was single, tall, with stout build, blue eyes and brown hair. The U.S. Military Transport Passenger List shows that he was a Private in Company D of the 605th Engineers when he departed New York City on 25 September, aboard the ship Teucer, bound for Europe. His service Number was 2796537.

Obituary of Clarence Popple 7 Nov 1918 Fitchburg Sentinel.

By newspaper accounts, this ship was his death place on 5 October 1918. Fitchburg Sentinel, Fitchburg MA, Thursday 7 Nov 1918, page 5. WEST RINDGE–Soldier Dies on Way Across. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Popple Jr. received sad news last week of the death of their eldest son, Clarence, who was on his way overseas. Clarence was drafted last May and sent to Durham college for mechanical training being sent from there to Washington D.C. where he had been in training with the 605th engineers, Co. D. He was born in Rindge and was 27 years old. He was an estimable young man and will be much missed in the town as well as in the family circle. He leaves five brothers, one brother, Albert, being in the service, and three sisters besides his parents. Memorial services in his honor were held in the M.E. Church Sunday morning. Only a short time before Mr. Popple had written and asked to be considered an absent member of this church.”

8 Dec 1918 Boston Globe

Boston Sunday Globe, December 8, 1918. WEST RINDGE N.H. Dec 7–Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Popple Jr. have been notified that their son private Clarence J Popple, aged 27, died October 4 and was buried at sea. He was born in West Rindge and left in the draft quota of last April. He was assigned to Co. D, 605th Engineers. His parents, three sisters and five brothers survive him.

That Private Clarence J. Popple was buried at sea would now explain why he appears on the Suresnes American Cemetery “Tablets of the Missing” and status as Missing in Action.  [Find-A-Grave link to same cemetery].

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Albert N. Pyne
Credited to Walpole, NH
Albert Naaman Pyne was born 28 May 1894 Arlington MA, son of George M. & Carrie (Moreshad) Pyne.  He grew up in Arlington MA and in 1914 was listed in that city’s directory as a clerk living at his father’s house on 5 Jason Street (his father was a chauffeur).  I was unable to find a WWI Registration form, and it appears he was already a member of the national army or at least the national guard at the time that the United States entered the war.  During WWI he was a member of Company C, 103rd Machine Gun Battalion. He was killed in France on July 17. 1918.  U.S. Military Transport Passenger Lists show that he was on the ship Cedric that sailed for Europe on 3 Nov 1917 from New York City.  His body was returnedon the ship Wheaton, arriving from Antwerp, Belgium at Hoboken NJ on 6 August 1921 His Service Number was 110423, rank Private 1st Class. Various newspaper clippings finish telling his story.

St. Alban’s Daily Messenger, 31 July 1918. VERMONT CASUALTY LIST. Pvt. Albert N. Pyne. “Private Albert N. Pyne, a member of Company C, 103rd Machine Gun Battalion, was killed in France, July 17. He was the son of George M. Pyne, of Bellows Falls. Whie living in Somerville, Mass., young Pyne was a member of Comber of Company K, 8th Massachusetts. After coming to Bellows Falls he enlisted in Company E, 1st Vermont, and served on Mexican border. He went overseas last September.”

2nd notice same newspaper. “Bellows Falls Man Killed in Action. George M. Pyne, of Bellows Falls, has been notified that his son, Private Albert N. Pyne, company C, 103d machine gun battalion was killed in action in France July 17. He was a member of company K, 8th Massachusetts, while living in Somerville Mass. After coming to Bellows Falls he was employed by the Vermont Machine Co., and enlisted in company E, 1st Vermont, served on the Mexican border and left for France last September. His father is the only relative living in this section. He is employed by the Robertson Paper Co., in the wax paper department.”

The Boston Globe 12 Sep 1921, page 9.  MILITARY FUNERAL IN ARLINGTON FOR A.N. PYNE. “ARLINGTON. Sept. 11–Full military honors were accorded Albert N. Pyne, a member of Co. C, 103d Machine Gun Battalion who was killed in action in France August 17, 1918 during his funeral and committal services here, this afternoon. The young hero, who enlisted from Bellows Falls VT was the son of George M. and the late Carrie M. Pyne. He was 24 years old.
– The body lay in state in the Robbins Memorial Town Hall until 3 o’clock, the hour of the service which took place in the hall. Rev. Dr. Henry Sterling Pot…(?) pastor of the Arlington First Baptist Church officiated. Following the church service the American Legion service, was conducted by Arlington Post 33, with Chaplain Minot R. Edwards in charge.
– The Legion post did escort duty from the hall to the grave in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. Members of the post acted as bearers. Herbert F. White, commander of the post, had charge. At the grave a squad from the Legion fired three volleys over the grave, and a bugler blew “Taps.” Flags were lowered to half-staff out of respect to the memory of the World War hero.  He is buried in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Arlington MA

[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].