New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Pittsburg

Posted on 30 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

Photograph of WWI Soldier’s
Monument in Pittsburg NH by
Richard Marsh at Images of New
Hampshire History. Used with his
permission.

In 1918 the State of New Hampshire’s war historian published a notice in the newspaper showing that the town of Pittsburg had sent 2-1/2 to 3 per cent of its population into service.  Between June 1917 and June 1918 all resident men aged 21 and older were required to complete a registration form.

The local Pittsburg NH registrar was Parker W. Tabor, with H.J. Holmes Deputy Clerk. After WWI ended, and by 1923 the Town of Pittsburg had either placed a soldier’s monument or was  planning to do so, for page 13 of that year’s Annual Report notes: “Soldier Monument F.G. Rancloes $4.25.” Continue reading →

Posted in History, Military of New Hampshire, NH WW1 Military | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

100 Years Ago: Decoration Day Celebrations

Posted on 28 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

One hundred years ago the last Monday of May was a time to decorate the graves of those who died in previous wars with a strong focus on the Civil War. The day was solemnly celebrated throughout the United States, but it had not yet been declared an official holiday.  Most states called it Decoration Day, though by 1918 this annual remembrance was also called Memorial Day in New Hampshire and other places. It would not be declared a federal holiday until 1971. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Military of New Hampshire, NH WW1 Military | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Hanover

Posted on 26 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

The book, “A history of the town of Hanover, N.H.. Hanover, N.H.” by John King Lord was printed for the town of Hanover by the Dartmouth Press in 1928. Contained in that wonderful history is a section listing all those who participated in military service, in student’s army training corps, as nurses, in Red Cross Service, and in Y.M.C.A. Service. [see link to PDF section of the book]. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Military of New Hampshire, NH WW1 Military | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Goffstown

Posted on 24 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

Photograph of the Goffstown
Soldiers and Sailors
Monument dedicated in
1916, from the Boston Globe.

It was less than a year before the World War would be declared by the United States that Goffstown dedicated a monument to its Civil War heroes on 16 June 1916.  The monument was a gift to the town of Goffstown by Henry W. Parker with special reference to Capt. Charles Stinson, Mr. Parker’s grandfather. The statue itself was made of Barre granite and stands 25 feet high showing a soldier in a “parade rest” stance.

People from many places in southern New Hampshire came to see the statue, and a dinner was served in the lower hall of the Opera House in town. There was also a parade, presentations, orations et al. [see monument newspaper notice]. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Military of New Hampshire, NH WW1 Military | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

New Hampshire WWI Military: Heroes of Haverhill and Pike

Posted on 21 May, 2018 by Janice Brown

Photograph showing the departure
of Grafton County NH Troops in 1917.

In 1912 the town of Haverhill New Hampshire celebrated its 150th anniversary of its settlement. At that time its almost 3,500 inhabitants celebrated in style with speeches, dinners and singing. They had no way of knowing that in just a few years their best and brightest young men would be sent off to war. Five would not return alive.

After WWI ended (by 1920) the population had dropped by about 100 people. The author of the History of the Town of Haverhill New Hampshire, William F. Witcher, published a list of all those who served in the military during World War I, along with providing a brief biography of each showing when they served and in what branch of the service. His work was invaluable in my own work presented here. Continue reading →

Posted in History, Military of New Hampshire, NH WW1 Military | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments