Maurice Herbert Roberts was born 2 May 1900 in Derry, Rockingham Co. NH, son of Albert Burton & Carrie (Nutter) Roberts. He had siblings Rena B., Alvin B., and Melissa M. In 1900 and 1910 censuses he is living in Derry, NH with his family. In 1910 he was still 9 years old and so it is unknown if he worked prior to enlistment. He was a very young 17 or 18 year old at the time of entering the military, so whether he received written approval from his parents, or he lied on his enlistment form, we do not know.
He served as a corporal in the regular Army, Co. E., 9th Infantry (known as the Manchus). In early October 1917, the Manchus deployed to France as part of the “Indianhead” 2nd Infantry Division. During the course of the war, 9th infantrymen earned battle streamers for their colors at Lorraine, He de France, Aisne-Marne, and St. Mihiel. In 1918, the Manchu Regiment received the French Fourragère for gallantry during the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
Military burial card of Maurice H. Roberts
The newspapers of 18 November 1918 reported his death. Corporal Maurice H. Roberts was killed in action on 9 October 1918 [probably at the Meuse-Argonne offensive]. Originally buried in France, when the war was over his remains were returned to the United States and reburied in his family’s plot, Forest Hill Cemetery in Derry NH. A military marker was placed on his grave in 1933.
Maurice H. Roberts name shows up on the Derry WWI monument, under the Killed in Action section, while his brother Alvin is listed under those soldiers who served during WWI. Both men were American heroes.
—–PARTIAL GENEALOGY OF MAURICE H. ROBERTS—–
George Roberts (1645-1691) & Mary Jones (1650-1743) of Exeter NH
John Roberts (1680-1750) & Elizabeth Magoon (1685-1759) of Exeter & Brentwood NH
Samuel Roberts (1715-1785) & Priscilla Langmaid (1715-?) of Exeter NH
Ezekiel Roberts (1751-1831) & Margaret Cressey (?-1822) of Kingston & Raymond NH
John Roberts (1772-1860) & Marion Roberts (1775-1851) Brentwood & Raymond NH
Andrew J. Roberts (1830-1887) & Lurenda/Lorinda Bartlett (1834-1902) – Raymond NH
Albert Burton Roberts, son of Andrew J. & Lurena/Lorinda (Bartlett) Roberts, b. 1 Aug 1873 Raymond NH, d. 15 November 1964 Derry NH [per 1964 town report]; m. 9 Aug 1893 in Wolfeboro NH to Carrie E. Nutter, dau of Luman Sidney & Belle (Corson) Nutter. She b. 26 Feb 1878 Milton NH, d. 7 May 1917. Shoemaker, and later a policeman. They are both buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry NH. [him] [her]
————————–
1900 US Census > NH > Rockingham > Derry
Albert P. Roberts Head Head M W Aug 1873 26 m6y NH NH NH Shoe Laster
Carrie E. Roberts wife F W Feb 1878 22 m6y 4 ch 4 living NH NH NH
Rena B. Roberts daughter F 6 NH b. Oct 1894
Alvin B. Roberts son M 4 NH b July 1896
Melissa M. Roberts daughter F 2 NH b Aug 1898
Morris H. Roberts M 1/12 NH b May 1900
————————–
1910 US Census > NH > Rockingham > Derry
Albert B. Roberts Head M 36 m1x NH NH NH Police, Town
Carrie E. Roberts wife F 32 NH m1x 17 yrs 4 ch 4 living NH NH NH
Rena B. Roberts daughter F 15 NH
Alvin B. Roberts son M 13 NH
Mallissa Roberts daughter F 11 NH
Morris H. Roberts son M 9 NH
Polle/Rulle Nutter mother-in-law F 56 widow NH NH NH
—————————-
Children of Albert B. & Carrie (Nutter) Roberts:
1. Rena Belle Roberts, b 10 Oct 1894 Raymond, Rockingham Co. NH; d. 10 Dec 1989 Derry NH
2. Alvin Burton Roberts, b. 19 July 1896 Raymond, Rockingham Co. NH, d. 28 Nov 1933 in East Rochester NH; he m. 9 January 1920 in Derry NH to Helena Harriett Doubleday, dau of George H. & Cora E. (Ayer) Doubleday. They divorced in 1923. He m2d) 8 Feb 1925 in Milton NH to Marion L. Downing, dau of George A. & Alice (Hodgdon) Downing. She was b. 8 Oct 1902 in Milton NH, and d. March 1970 in Lebanon NH They had at least one son. Alvin B. Roberts served during WW1 as a Private in the 103rd F.A. in Battery D. He is buried in the Roberts family plot in Forest Hill Cemetery, Derry NH.
3. Malissa/Melissa M. Roberts, b 1898 NH, d. 1917
4. *Morris [Maurice] Herbert Roberts, b. 2 May 1900 in Derry, Rockingham Co. NH, buried in Forest Hill Cemetery, Derry NH. [2nd birth record]
[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].
I’m a huge fan of these posts. They’re important work, I think. While reading about Maurice and his possible underage enlistment, I found myself wondering how strictly the government scrutinized age or were they complicit and gladly turned a blind eye. I have a 3rd great-grandfather who lied about his age when enlisting in the Civil War. I can’t think of having heard stories where ancestors were booted from enlistment for fibbing their age.
Pingback: New Hampshire World War I Military: Heroes of The Great War | Cow Hampshire
Pingback: New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Derry | Cow Hampshire