Remembering Brothers who entered the Chapter Eternal during WWI
On the centennial of the Armistice of 1918 we pause to remember the brothers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War. This list compiled below from past issues of The Rattle is by no means complete but represents all known brothers who passed away during WWI.
The Eternal Chapter.
It is with the greatest regret and sorrow that we print the following list of deaths of members of Theta Chi who already have given up their lives in the service of our country. Each and every one were imbued with the spirit of love and loyalty and they gladly and willingly made the supreme sacrifice in order that democracy and freedom may be saved. We wish to express to the Fraternity and the families of these brave boys our deepest sympathy. Their memory will always be with us. They have been an honor to themselves, to our country and to our fraternity. When you read this we would ask that every Theta Chi man say a prayer for these Brothers who died for freedom.
For those of us who knew these Brothers, the hope goes up that all is well with them. We could not stop to mark their going when they left us. The world had to go on, the war must be fought to a victorious finish, and we all had to do our work, whatever it may be, sad, gay or tedious, just as if no tears welled up into our eyes that could only see them lying in the cold calm dignity of death, just as if there was no clutching at our throats as our last meetings with them come back to us, as our hands felt their warm quick grasp. We could pin no crepe on the door and retire to our sorrow. We had to keep on. There was just time enough to weep a few tears and say:
"Good-bye, Dear Brothers, Good-bye."
William M. Brigham, Jr. (Alpha/Norwich 1919)
Died in August, 1918
Brother Brigham was killed in action during the drive on Soissons early in August, 1918. He was a lieutenant in Company B, 104th Infantry, 26th Division.
Paul G. Cox (Alpha/Norwich 1915)
Died July 19, 1918
Brother Cox was a lieutenant of the 28th Infantry, and was killed in action on July 19th, 1918. His death followed his twenty-fourth birthday by only a few days. He had been released from the hospital a few days before, having been wounded on June 12th. On July 4th, the day after he left the hospital he wrote to his father, Honorary Brother Henry Joseph Cox of Alpha: "I am now on my way to a replacement division. My right hand will never be the same again. No feeling in two of my fingers; the nerves were shattered." Lieutenant Brother Cox was commissioned as second lieutenant in the Second Officers' Training Camp, Ft. Sheridan, and was immediately assigned to oversea duty.
Harvey B. Davenport (Alpha/Norwich 1911)
Died October 14, 1918
Brother Davenport was killed October 14, 1918, at the Aviation Field, Mineola, L. I. He was a first lieutenant in the Signal Corps. Brother Davenport was born in Bennington, Vt., but for the past few years had lived in Plymouth, Mass. He was commissioned at the first Plattsburg Camp, then transferred to Aviation and until September, 1918, was stationed at Kelley Field, Texas.
David P. Guillow (Alpha/Norwich 1913)
Died October 6, 1918.
Brother Guillow was a sergeant in the Infantry and died in Camp Syracuse, New York, on October 6th, 1918.
Ernest A. Lawrence (Alpha/Norwich 1905)
Died December 22, 1917
Ernest Allen Lawrence, born of an old Montpelier family, April 14th, 1882, died at Loomis, N.Y., December 22nd, 1917. Graduated at Norwich University, 1905, carrying off practically all the honor medals that year. He at once entered the firm of Post & McCord, where he worked uninterrupted for twelve years, rising steadily to a responsible position. Last May he felt called upon to place his military training at the service of his country, and with the full consent of his wife, a niece of Fonner President Brown, of Norwich, he volunteered for the First Officers' Training Camp at Plattsburg. He was commissioned in August only to be ordered home on inactive duty, because tuberculosis had developed from the severe work in camp. He retired to Loomis Sanitorium, near Liberty, N. Y., where he died after a gallant fight. He is survived by a wife and three small daughters, who, while mourning his loss, will ever feel proud that he did his utmost for our great cause even to the laying down of his life. He had but one life to give and he gave it bravely and uncomplainingly as befitted a son of Theta Chi.
Allan R. Williams (Alpha/Norwich 1903)
Died October 9, 1918
Brother Williams was lieutenant-colonel of the 38th Infantry, and was killed in action October 9, 1918. He was born in Jericho, Vt., November 8th, 1883, and graduated with honors from Norwich University, class of 1903. When 21 years of age he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the regular army, his first post being Fort Assinaboine, Montana. Col. Williams saw service in the Philippines and in Panama, being stationed at the latter place when war was declared. He was sent to Camp Funston, Kansas, where he was promoted to a major. He sailed for France July 1st, 1918, and was made a lieutenant-colonel only a few weeks before his death. Col. Williams is survived by his wife, a son and daughter, now of Cape Girardean, Mo.
Leroy W. Gardner (Gamma/Maine 1910)
Died July 20, 1918
Brother Gardner was killed in action in France and reported in the casualty list of July 26, 1918. He was a corporal of Company C, 104th Infantry, 26th Division, and enlisted at the outbreak of the war. Brother Gardiner leaves a widow and one child. While at the University of Maine, Gardiner was a member of the Varsity football team.
Charles F. Reilly (Gamma/Maine 1914)
Charles Frederick Reilly, Gamma, 1914, has been reported as killed in action in France about a year ago (1917). Word of this has just reached us. He was an officer in a Canadian Regiment and was killed in action while leading his company "over the top.'' No authentic news has been received confirming this but as he is still amongst the missing, we are forced to believe that the report is true.
Donald W. Libby (Zeta/New Hampshire 1918)
Brother Libby was killed in action in France.
Pitt S. Willand (Zeta/New Hampshire 1916)
Died in October, 1918.
Brother Willand who was a second lieutenant in the United States Infantry, died in an army hospital last October.
Chester A. Olsen (Eta/Rhode Island 1918)
Died July 4, 1917
Chester Arthur Olsen was born in Providence, R.I., on June 28rd, 1894. He was attending the First Plattsburg Camp when he was taken ill with grippe and died after a very short illness. While at College he was always prominent in all student activities and will always be remembered by his associates there on account of his enduring humor, good nature and kind regard for others.
Ceylon R. Wade (Eta/Rhode Island 1911)
Died in October, 1918
Brother Wade was a victim of the influenza epidemic last fall. He was one of the older and enthusiastic workers for Eta. His name was always on the lips of the older brothers as an enthusiastic and true Brother in Theta Chi, one to whom we could look for and receive help from any time we; needed it.
Frederick M. Woods (Eta/Rhode Island 1919)
Died October 3rd, 1918
Brother Woods enlisted early in 1918 as a mechanic in the Air Service. In a short time he gained his sergeancy and refused an opportunity for a commission in order to get “over there" sooner. He died in France on October 8rd, after an attack of influenza which turned into pneumonia.
Dexter E. Bailey (Theta/Massachusetts 1910)
Brother Bailey, first lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps, died of disease at Fort Worth, Texas.
John Bradley (Theta/Massachusetts 1914)
Brother Bradley, second lieutenant in the Air Service, was killed in an airplane accident at Wright Field, Ohio.
Lawrence Gay (Theta/Massachusetts 1920)
Brother Gay, sergeant in the 101st U. S. F. A., died as the result of gas. Sergeant Gay was cited, prior to his death, by General Edwards, “For gallant and meritorious service in the second battle of the Marne."
Trueman E. Kile (Theta/Massachusetts 1921)
Brother Kile was a private in the S. A. T. C. He died of disease contracted while serving in the Massachusetts Agricultural College battalion of the S. A. T. C.
Lloyd Ludwig (Iota/Colgate 1917)
Killed in an aeroplane accident February 28th 1918 England.
Joseph R. Whitaker (Kappa/Pennsylvania 1913)
Joseph C. M. Small (Kappa/Pennsylvania 1915)
Died November 2, 1918
Brother Joseph Chandler Morris Small was a lieutenant in the U. S. Navy. He died on November 2nd, 1918, after a short illness of pneumonia. Brother Small was on a transport and contracted influenza on his return trip to the United States. His death occurred at Philadelphia.
Harrison B. Lawford (Lambda/Cornell 1915)
Brother Lawford died in the service of his country.
Jay W. McElroy, Jr. (Mu/California 1917)
An aviator with the American Forces. He was killed in action while flying over the German lines during the great offensive of 1918.
Newton R. Ancarrow (Omicron/Richmond 1916)
Died November 4, 1918
Brother Ancarrow, captain of the 18th Division, was killed in action while leading his company "over the top." While at college he was captain of the football team, and well known in other branches of athletics. He was always prominent in all student activities and will always be remembered by his associates there for his good nature, lovable character and high regard for others. After receiving his commission at Fort Meyer, he was sent to France in the early spring, 1918, with the 18th Division.
Glen R. MacLauchlan (Omicron/Richmond 1913)
Died in October, 1918.
Brother MacLauchlan died after a severe illness following an attack of influenza while in the service of his country on this side. While in college he was always prominent in all student activities. A man through and through, ready to lend a helping hand whenever he could; a kind word and a smile for everyone and was always found where he could be of most service to his fellowmen.
Gerald J. Barrett (Sigma/Oregon State 1919)
Gerald Joseph Barrett was born in Portland, Oregon, on November 8th, 1894. He was killed "Somewhere in France" the early part of this year. He was very prominent in student activities while at the Oregon Agricultural College. He enlisted in the 18th Engineering Regiment from Portland, Oregon, last June and was sent to France some time during the summer.
"The above notice is the first one to come from 'Somewhere in France’ telling us that one of our brothers has made the supreme sacrifice for the honor of his country.
Gerald J. Barrett killed in France. Does this mean anything thing to you, my Brothers? 'In knowing Gerald, everyone should be proud to say he was my Brother, or he was my friend.
"Gerald Barrett, Sigma of Theta Chi, killed in France, a man, clean, honorable and generous, and by these words I mean all they imply. Always cheerful, smiling and a kind word for everyone. A man that would do his best, no matter where he was, and ready and willing to do a kindness for anyone. I have known Gerald for a long time, and Brothers, we have lost a man whose place can never be filled. He has gone now, but can he not live amongst us to lead and guide us by the example he, during his life and in his death, has laid down for us? And in the words of a great soldier, 'The grandest thing one man can say of another is, 'He did his duty.' So, my Brothers in Theta Chi, as we mourn for the loss of our beloved Brother, let us not forget a father and mother who are mourning tonight, and may God, who reigns on high, bring them comfort in this, their hour of trial.''
- John P. Varnum, Gamma, '18.
William L. Martin (Upsilon/NYU 1916)
Died December 26, 1917
William Lloyd Martin had just returned from Washington where he was sent to take the final examinations for a Commission in the Ordnance Department, and had been rejected on account of bad eyes. He proved his calibre, though, in his very next move, coming back to New York and enlisting as a private. Two days later he was taken ill with gastritis and died after but two days' sickness.
Joseph E. Bumby (Chi/Auburn 1916)
Died at sea on his way to France.