Sunday, July 22, 2012

Lieut. Raymond B. Messer

Ray Messer was a student at Lowell Textile Institute class of 1917.  He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Bradley A. Messer of 63A Street in Lowell.  He died in an airplane accident in France.  Messer Square was dedicated October 14, 1923 and is located at the junction of Chelmsford, Powell and Plain Street.  I found this drawing in the Lowell Sun March 13, 1955.

Here is the square enlarged so you can see it better:


I've been through this intersection many times but I never knew it was Messer Square.  Next time I go through this intersection I'll think of Ray Messer.  What would he have done with his life if he hadn't been killed in France fighting for our freedom?

2 comments:

  1. So, was he an aviator or up for a ride?  Do we know?

    Thanks

    Regards  —  Cliff

    ReplyDelete
  2. He was an aviator. He went to Officer's Training at Pattsburg, ground school at MIT, flying training at Mincola and was one of the first aviators to go to France in November 1917. He was a test pilot and was killed after the armistice from an airplane accident. He was engaged to be married.

    ReplyDelete