George S. Patton during the Great War

George Smith Patton, Jr was the in Great War and led the US Tank Corps.  He won the world's first tank battle in 1917 in Cambrai, France.  He started as a Captain but was promoted to Colonel during the war.  After the war he went back to Captain.

Why is this in the Lowell Doughboys blog?  George S Patton, Jr married Beatrice Ayer, the daughter of Frederick Ayer on May 26, 1910.   Her birthplace is now the Franco American School at the corner of School and Pawtucket streets.

Lowell City Hall was almost renamed for General Patton after his death following WWII.  When Beatrice learned it was not unanimous she asked them to not do it.  Beatrice died after being thrown from her horse at the Myopia Hunting Club in Hamilton, MA on September 30, 1953.

The Patton Memorial Society was formed in 1971.  Two plaques and a portrait of Patton were dedicated in the Memorial Auditorium.  Thousands of veterans marched in a grand parade.

During the Great War Colonel Patton was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Service Medal and the Purple Heart for a leg wound.  The war was officially declared over on his 33rd birthday.

McOsker Circle

Arthur R. McOsker Oval is located in the Highlands at Circle D Street and Harris Avenue near St. Margaret's Church.

Private Arthur McOsker was a member of the 101st Regiment Company M.  He was twenty years old and died in France.  He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. George McOsker of 17 Liberty Street.  He had been employed by various Billerica car shops.  He is buried in St. Patrick's Cemetery.

Private Arthur R. McOsker

Killed in Action July 16, 1918

Influenza in 1918

Being a soldier in 1918 and fighting the war in France was scary.  However, it was just as scary to be home.

The Spanish Flu hit Lowell hard.  It mostly hit young healthy people.  It is estimated that one third of the US population had the flu from this epidemic.  Even Woodrow Wilson came down with it.   Somewhere between 50 and 100 million people died worldwide.

Here is the story of Bruno Silk from the Lowell Sun, September 23, 1918

Private Bruno Silk, a member of the 73d Machine Gun company at Camp Devens, is one of the soldiers whoso death is attributed to Spanish Influenza.  Private Silk was 29 years of age. He was inducted into military service July 24. A week ago Saturday he received a pass and came home with his bride of three months, formerly Miss Florence B. Harmon. He was in good health when he reached his home, 24 Hildreth street. The next day, however, he was seized with a high fever and the family physician adjudged the case influenza. Wednesday afternoon symptoms of pneumonia set in and from then on his condition gradually declined until the end came last Saturday afternoon. 

Private Silk is survived by his wife, Mrs. Florence B. Silk, nee Harmon, his parents,  Mr. and Mrs. Fred T. Silk of 67 Nineteenth street: four sisters, Clarice Silk of New Bedford; Mrs. Frank G. Moore of Marlboro; Mrs. Hosmer Sweetser and Mrs. Ada Barker, both of this city; five brothers, Lincoln, Jack, Percy, Miles and Fred.

A brother, Sergt. Gerald T. Silk of Battery F was killed in action only last July and this, fatality came only six days before Private Bruno Silk went to Camp Devens. The death of the two brothers within such a short space of one another, particularly as both were in the national service, makes the case of the most pathetic that has been brought to the public attention for some time.

Private Silk's funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon and will be of a military nature. His former company will attend in a body.

St. Patrick's Day 1918 - Corp. Alfred J. Renaud Dies in France

"Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Corp. Alfred J. Renaud, hero squadron, died of pneumonia March 17."
Signed McCain, the Adjt. General.

Corporal Renaud was 26 years old and had graduated from St. Joseph's College.  After several jobs he ended up in the automobile business.  Because of his knowledge of gasoline engines, he was very anxious to join the aviation corps.  He applied  twice and was rejected because of his health.  On his third try he was accepted.  He died shortly after arriving in France.

"Surviving him are his bereaved parents, four brothers, Corporal Louis Renaud of Company G, 104th Infantry "somewhere" in France; Joseph, Lionel and Emilien, and four sisters, Marie, Delvina, Delia and Oive Renauld, all of this city."

Saint Patrick's celebrations were subdued in 1918 during the war effort.

RIP Frank Buckles

The last surviving WW1 veteran, Frank Buckles passed away this weekend at age 110. Thank you for your service sir!

Michael P. Fenton also known as Sergt Dan A. Sullivan

This article is from the June 26, 1918 Lowell Sun:

"Sergt. Dan Sullivan of the 82d Company of Marines was Killed in Action
The first Lowell man in the United States Marine service to  give up his life in the present war is Sergt. Dan A. Sullivan of the 82d Company of Marines. He formerly lived at 230 Fayette street, this city.
His sister, Mrs. John P. Killeen of the same address, received word of her brother's death in a telegram from the war department last evening.  The report was verified in today's official casualty list.
Sergt. Sullivan was killed in action, according to the official notification received.here. It is probable that he took part in the recent big offensive of the marines and was one of those who went over the top for the last time. Mrs. Killeen received a letter from him on April 26. Although it vas very brief, he said that he was in good health.
Sergt. Sullivan was 36 years old. He had served one enlistment of four years in the marine service before the war and later worked in the U. S. Cartridge Co. plant, of this city. About a year ago he re-enlisted in the marines and went overseas last October.
Besides his sister he leaves a. brother William, of New York.
Sergt. Sullivan's real name is Michael P. Fenton, although he has been known as Sullivan."

The ironic thing is that he was known in the service as Sullivan but the square in Lowell named in his honor is the Michael P. Fenton square.  The square is at the intersection of East Merrimack and High streets.  He is buried in France as Daniel Sullivan.

The real meaning of Cupples Square

With Cupples Square featured in the movie "The Fighter" I wanted to give the background on Cupples Square.

Lieut. Lorne L. Cupples of Grove Street, was the superintendent of the Whitall Manufacturing Company on Rock Street in Lowell, MA.  He received his commission of Captain at the Plattsburg Officer's Training School.  He sacrificed his rank of Captain and took the rank of  Second Lieutenant so that he could see immediate action.

"The sad news of his passing was received today by Albert L. Paul, manager of the Whitall Mfg. Co. by letter from a former curate of the Grace church, this city. The letter was  as follows:

Nov. 2, 1918

My Dear Mr. Paul:
Passing through 15 evacuation hospital, I met your friend, Lorne Cupples.  He is dying of severe wounds in the stomach. I had a short prayer with him and he asked me to write to you. He said he had been thinking of you and hoping that he would soon be back with you. That was the only time he really wanted.  He has suffered a lot of pain with great patience.  I expect he will die the death of a soldier, like a soldier and that is the greatest thing to do.
Yours very truly ,
M.L. Peabody

Chaplain 102s Field Artillery
Former Curate Grace church.  Lowell, Mass.

To this letter was attached the following:
I went to see another patient,  this  afternoon and found that your friend had died.  I was glad to have had a chance, to have a prayer with him.
Upon receipt of the news of his death it became the sad duty of Mr.  Paul to acquaint Lieut. Cupples' wife with the facts and the information came as a terrible shock, to her. It was also stated today that the Whitall Mfg. Co.is in mourning. Ho was a great favorite,  there with superiors and operatives alike, and Mr. Paul says he feels his loss as keenly as though he were his own brother.
Deceased entered the second officers', training camp at Plattsburg Aug. 27, 1917.He  was Commissioned captain Nov. 24, 1917, just one year ago the day before, yesterday. Later he, voluntarily  accepted a commission as second lieutenant  so that he might go overseas at the earliest possible moment.  He was assigned to the ordance department for duty."