New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Atkinson

Photograph of Atkinson NH’s
WWI monument. Courtesy of
Richard Marsh. Used with permission.

Atkinson New Hampshire is a typical small town. Before World War I, (in 1910) its entire population consisted of 440 people. By 1920, when the war had been over only a few years, that number had dropped to 413. It would drop even further to 407 in 1930 before it would start to grow again.

After the “World War” ended, the town of Atkinson NH looked for a way to honor military service.  They decided on a monument–a engraved plate on a post of marble.  This was placed on a strip of land beside the building that now houses Atkinson Academy on Academy Street, opposite Dow Common.

The Atkinson WWI memorial is engraved as follows:

Closeup photograph of Atkinson
NH’s WWI  monument. Courtesy
of Richard Marsh. Used
with permission.

1917 HONOR ROLL 1919
MEN OF ATKINSON
WHO SERVED IN THE
WORLD WAR
*Maurice A. Given. U.S.A.
*Leroy G. Rivers, U.S.A.
—
Arthur G. Chute, U.S.A.
William W. Clevesy, U.S.A.
Roger F Etz, Y.M.C.A.
John H. Goldsmith, U.S.N.
Richard L. Heald, U.S.N.
Ernest E. Kimball, U.S.N.
Scott E. Kimball, U.S.N.
William J. Latour, U.S.A.
Ralph A. Sawyer, U.S.N.
Charles C. Thompson, U.S.A.
William H. Thompson, U.S.A.
Charles B. Wheeler, U.S.A.
Stephen M. Wheeler, U.S.A.
William R. Wheeler, U.S.A.
Howard L. Whittaker, U.S.A.
Olin P. Wright, U.S.A.
Ward W. Wright, U.S.A.

✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★
Heroes of ATKINSON NH
During WWI
Who Made The Ultimate Sacrifice
✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★

Maurice A. Given | P1c | Died of Disease 2 May 1919 Le Havre, France| Co F, 301st Supply Train, Q.M.C.|Unknown burial in U.S. [1]

Leroy G. Rivers | Private | Died of Wounds 18 July 1918 France  |  Co. F., 104th Infantry, 26th Division | Unknown burial in U.S. [2]

[1] Maurice Alvah Given was born 4 March 1893 in Atkinson, Rockingham Co., NH the son of Jason A. & Alice E. (Foster) Given. In 1900 and 1910 the U.S. Census shows him living in Atkinson NH with his parents and older sibling Florence B. Given (who m. 1906 in Salem NH to Elbridge L. Bailey.  In June of 1917 he was living at 153 West Street in Lawrence MA, working in an auto garage for Moore & Given. He was of medium height and stature with blue eyes and brown hair. He stated he was supporting both of his parents. Maurice A. Given enlisted 29 April 1918 in Lawrence MA. He trained at Camp Devens, MA, occupation: Automobile mechanic. During WWI he served as P1c, Co. F, 301st Supply Train, Q.M.C. Died of disease at Le Havre, France on 2 May 1919.  His remains were returned to the U.S. after the war ending, shipped from Antwerp, Belgium aboard the Wheaton arriving in Hoboken NJ on 2 July 1921.   His burial location is unknown though his father, Jason Given is buried in Lakeview Cemetery Hampstead NH.

[2] Leroy Gardner Rivers was born 23 November 1897 in Groveland MA, son of William N. & Fannie P. (Hinkson) Rivers. In 1900 he was living in Groveland MA with his parents and brothers Harland and Arnold. Leroy G. Rivers enlisted 27 March 1917 at Haverhill MA. He trained in Lynnfield and Westfield MA. He was assigned to Co. F. 104th Infantry, 26th Division. He participated in five battles overseas. Wounded, he died 18 July 1918.  Initially buried in Europe, his remains were returned to the U.S. from Antwerp Belgium to Hoboken NJ, arriving aboard the ship, Wheaton, on 2 July 1921.  His burial place is unknown.

✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★
OTHER Heroes of ATKINSON NH
(Survived WWI)
✫★✫★✫★✫★✪🌟✪✫★✫★✫★✫★

In the Annual Report for the Town of Atkinson, for the year ending January 31, 1920, page 23 began “Records Of Our Boys In the World War. All the names on that list do not appear on the official war memorial.

ROBERT THEODORE BARR
Enlisted, Boston, April 16, 1916. Trained at Newport. Overseas on flagship New York, Nov., 1917 to Dec., 1918. Still in service, same vessel, in Pacific waters, as First Class Boatswain’s Mate. Mrs. Barr was Edith Muriel Bickum.

DOROTHY MAY BERRY
Red Cross nurse in France. Former resident, now in Woodmen, Colorado, hospital work. Gave an account of her work abroad in Congregational Church.

CARL DEXTER BOWEN
Former resident, reported in army. Letters returned, no report.

WILLIAM BRICKETT
Member of Atkinson Grange. Resident of Hampstead.

ARTHUR GORDON CHUTE
Drafted Sept. 4, 1918. Trained Camp Upton. Overseas, returning and discharged Feb., 1919. Reports he is going to write a book.

WILLIAM WALLACE CLEVESY
East Road; no report, Carpenter, Camp Devens.

GEORGE OSBORN CUNNINGHAM
Member of grange. Enlisted, Boston, April 16, 1917. Naval service, pharmacist, one year. England and Scotland. Discharged May, 1919.

PERLEY CLIFTON CURRIER
Drafted, Sept. 5, 1918. Trained Camp Upton. Private, Construction Division, Q.M.C. Discharged Dec 1918.

ARLO BERMAN WM. DUNHAM
Enlisted June 13, 1917, Pittsfield, Mass. Trained Camp Devens, Ambulance driver, wagoner, 301, Sanitary Train. Overseas. Reserve St. Mihiel offensive. Discharged June 1919.

REV. ROGERT F. ETZ
Y.M.C.A. service, June 17, 1919. Trained, Columbus Conference for Overseas Men. France, July 15, 1918 to May 1, 1919. Memorial Day address, Grange Hall.

RAYMOND ARTHUR EVANS
Enlisted May 31, 1916 Fort Slocum NY. Trained Camp Jackson. Overseas July 1918 to May 30, 1919; assigned to hauling ammunition. Discharged June 1919.

ALBERT W. FLYNN
Enlisted July 13, 1914, Boston. Trained, Neqport U.S.S. Florida, U.S.S. Salem. Azores, May to September 1918. Released June 1919.

FRANK W. GARRAN
Principal Atkinson Academy. Engineer; training, Plattsburg, May 8, 1917. Commission Second Lieutenant. Overseas, July 14, 1918 to July 16, 1919. Marched into Germany, on duty at Brohl. Took special courses at Engineer School and at the Uniersite de Poitiers Discharged, Camp Devens, August 1919.

MAURICE ALVAH GIVEN.
Enlisted April 29, 1918, Lawrence [MA]. Trained Camp Devens. Automobile mechanice, 1st Class Private, 301st Supply Train, Co. F., Q.M.C.. Died of disease at e havre, France May 2, 1919.

JOHN HAROLD GOLDSMITH
Enlisted Oct. 19, 1917. Trained Commissary School, First Class Ship’s Cook. U.S.S. Machigonne, U.S.S. Morris. Decommissioning Board, District Detail Office. Released August 1919.

RICHARD LUNT HEALD.
Enlisted June 7, 1917 Boston. 2nd Class Engineer. U.S.S. Mt. Vernon, U.S.S. Idaho, stationed Commonwealth Pier and Newport, guard of German prisoners of war. On indefinite leave.

ERNEST ELROY KIMBALL
No report.

SCOTT EUGENE KIMBALL
No. report.

WILLIAM JOSEPH LATOUR
Drafted March 12, 1918. Trained Camp Hancock, N.J. 1st Class Teamster. Assigned to moving supplies at Hancock. “Kicked in stomach by mule.” Discharged May 1919.

RALPH W. LEACH
Enlisted April 12, 1917 Haverhill. Trained Camp Curtis Guild. Bugler Battery A, 102 F.A. Overseas Sept 23, 1917 to April 10, 1919. “heard the shells shriek.” SLlightly gassed. Discharged April 1919.

RODERICK R. MITTON
Drafted March 29, 1918 Brookline, Mass. Trained Camp Devens. 325th Infantry. Co. M. Overseas April 25, 1918 to Feb 11, 1919. Wounded in right forearm by a machine-gun bullet. Discharged Apr. 1919.

*LEROY GARDNER RIVERS
Enlisted March 27, 1917 Haverhill Trained Lynnfield and Westfied. 26th Division, 140th Infantry. Co. F In five battles overseas. Wounded. Died July 18, 1918.

CHARLES HERBERT ROSS
No report.

RALPH ALANSON SAWYER
Enlisted June 1 1918. Until July 3rd Signal Corps, Regular Army, Office Aide to Chief of Science and Research Section, Bureau Aircraft and Production. Transferred to Navy July 5, 1918 as Ensign U.S.N.R.F., stationed at Office Naval Inspector of Ordnance, Rochester N.Y. and Chicago Ill., and at U.S. Navy Gun Factory Optical Shop, Washington D.C., engaged in design and testing of optical fire control instruments. Released May 1919.

CECIL EDDY SIMPSON
Enlisted Liverpool, England, Feb 2, 1915. Trained Canterbury, England; Rouen, France. Infantry machine-gunner and instructor. Promoted to corporal on the field, made Sergeant, then Sergeant-Major. Transferred to Flying Corps as Flight Sergeant. Part in aerial fighting over Arras. Bombing over Rhine towns at time of Armistice. Slightly wounded three times, blown up once, trench feet, and gassed. Distinguished Conduct Medal; 1914-15 Star; Gen. Service Medal; Allied Medal. Released July 1919.

CHESTER ALLEN SMITH
Enlisted May 3, 1919 Haverhill. Trained Newport. U.S.S. Chandler. One trip overseas to Brest. Promoted to 2nd Class Fireman. Still in service.

CHARLES CRAWFORD THOMPSON
Enlisted July 6, 1916 Concord NH. 104th Field Hospital, 104th Ambulance Corps, 26th Division. Training Camp Spaulding, Deming N.M. and Camp Greenleaf. Overseas Sept 23, 1917 to April 18, 1919. Engagements Seicheprey Defensive, Aisne-Marne Offensive, St. Mihiel Offensive, Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Honored by citation July 20, 1918. Slightly gassed once. Discharged April 1919.

WILLIAM HAVEN THOMPSON.
Sergeant. Camp Devens. Overseas. No report.

SAMUEL FULLER TUTHILL
Drafted Sept. 19, 1917, Mattapoisett, Mass. Trained Camp Devens, 302nd Infantry, 76th Division. Promoted Corporal, Sergeant commissioned 2nd Lieut, 1st Lieut. Ordered to Camp Lee, Va., detaied to Devens as Instructor, training battalions, 74th Infantry, 12th Division which was partly overseas at Armistice, detailed to Information OFfice, Port of Embarkation, New York City, then to Personnel Office, Camp Mills. Discharged Sept 1919.

CHARLES BOARDMAN WHEELER JR.
Enlisted Oct. 19, 1917, Boston. Trained, Naval Station, Hull. Promoted 1st Cass Fireman, 2nd Class Engineman. U.S.S. Orea, U.S.S. Mount Vernon. Overseas seven trips to Brest, France. Released August 1919.

STEPHEN MORSE WHEELER
Enlisted Oct 15, 1918 Durham NH. Trained in Students Army Training Corps at State College. Discharged Dec 1918.

WILLIAM RUSSELL WHEELER
Drafted August 5, 1918 Salem NH. Trained Camp McClellan. Truck-driver Artillery, 12th Ammunition Train. Discharged Feb 1919.

HOWARD L. WHITTAKER
Drafted Sept 5, 1918 Haverhill. Trained Syracuse Recruit Camp, Camp Hoabird. Assigned as mess cook. Motor Transport Corps, Unit 311, Co. D. Discharged April 1919.

OLIN PERLEY WRIGHT
Drafted May 25, 1918. Trained Camp Devens. Overseas July 4, 1918 to June 1 1919. Meuse and Argonne. Three different hospitals. Discharged June 1919.

WARD WINTHROP WRIGHT.
No report.

[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].