Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Lowell Newburyport Connection

 A while back I posted on Company M which was comprised of many Lowell men of the famous Yankee Division.  Dick Howe sent me this link from the Newburyport Daily News:

http://www.newburyportnews.com/opinion/x1770584307/They-came-from-Lowell-to-protect-our-bridge

Thanks Dick for the link.

Does anyone have any relatives who served in Company M?  Here's the link to my older blog post listing the names.  My husband's grandfather, Irving Loucraft served in Company M.  No one knows of any Newburyport connection but maybe you have one. 

http://loucraft.blogspot.com/2011/01/lowells-own-company-m-july-1918.html

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Alberton W. Vinal - North Chelmsford

Wagonner Alberton W. Vinal was the first to die from Chelmsford in World War 1.  He was a member of the famed 101st 26th Yankee Division.  He was killed by a Geman shell in Bouco, France June 19, 1918.


Vinal Square in North Chelmsford is named after him. Along with the American Legion Post A.W. Vinal Post 313.

He is buried nearby in Riverside Cemetery.  You can see the Merrimack River in the background.

How many times have you driven through Vinal Square?  Next time, remember Bert Vinal, who was a young vibrant member of the community.

If you want more information on the life of Albert Vinal check out the Chelmsford Historical Commission's website http://www.chelmsfordgov.com/CHCwebsite/HTML/VinalWW1Monument/Image00.htm