New Hampshire WWI Military: Private Louis U. Chartier of Manchester NH (1897-1918)

Louis U. Chartier from the Boston Globe newspaper of 1918.

Louis U. Chartier was born on 4 May 1897 in Manchester NH, son of Antoine/Anthony & Angelina (Roy) Chartier. His parents were Canadian immigrants, who came to a city desperate for workers for its thriving industries.  Anthony Chartier was a shoemaker, and by 1910 his wife Angelina had given birth to 14 children, though only six were alive at that time.

Louis grew up at 255 Massabesic Street, and attended local schools.  He was 20 years old when the United States entered the World War, and he was among the first to enter the military.  He was a member of Company I, 23d Infantry, holding the rank of Private, according to the official inscription on his grave marker, though a newspaper report would state he was a member of the 101st Infantry.  He must have enlisted in Massachusetts, for he is credited to that State, though he was from New Hampshire.

Private Louis U. Chartier was killed in action on 18 June 1918 in France, probably at the Battle of Belleau Wood.  His grave is located at  Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in France.  Louis’ brother David, also in the United States military in France, would die one month later to the day.

Photograph postcard of the old St. Antoine/Anthony Parish church and rectory. From my collection at searchroots.com

The Boston Globe of July 21, 1918 announced: “Manchester NH, July 20–Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Chartier, 255 Massabesic Street, have received a telegraph from the War Department announcing that their son, private Louis u. Chartier, 101st Infantry, was killed in action in France. He was born in this city, May 4, 1897. He was a member of St. Anthony’s parish and the oldest of six children. Another son, David, aged 19, is also a member of the 101st infantry.”

In 1930 Louis (and David’s) mother Angelina would appear on a Gold Star Mother list, showing she qualified for a trip to Europe to visit her son’s graves but declined, as most New Hampshire mothers did.

For additional stories of Manchester NH military in World War I, see: New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Manchester.

[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].