Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-03-15
An Augusta Boy, Arthur {. Teteault,
Making Fine Record in Service
Of "AmeriCan Ambulance in France

Tho illustrations accompanying this
article were made from snap shot pic
lures sent home from France by Arthur
C. Tetreault, son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur
Tstreault Of No. 70 Northern avenue. Au-
gusta, Ne. Those acquainted with the
young man will recognize his features In
tho first picture. holding the chair.
: 1t was in October of 1911 that Young
Arthur" as he was often called to dis
tinguish him from his father, the drug
gist, left Augusta for Brussels. Belgium.
where he had decided to attend college
Arriving there he became student at
st. Michael College and there remained
until that terrible day in August, 1914.
when the Kaisers declaration Of war
paralyzed everything in Belgium, closing
even the schools. A coincident was that
Arthur was q years of age on that same
day.
Then came weeks of strain and worry
Having been dependent upon tutoring for
his expenses and that occupation gone. 1t
was serious problem to make both ends
meet Assistance was finally received
through the aid Of the American minister
to Belgium, Mr.. Whitlock, who worked
go hard in looking after the interests Of
his countrymen. and the free use Of the
cables and Arthur with thousands of
others was enabled in October of 1914 to
make his way to Ostend and later to Lon
don. Having been a hustler from a mere
lad, he soon made an occupation for
himself, as a card sent home about
Christmas time of that year. 1t reads:
Tel Museum I73
A. G.. TETREAULT
Bureau de Recherche
Voyages and Missions
en- Belgique
80 Bloombury St, Heures
Medford Square. 1912 A. NJ.
London. w. c. 2-5 p. NJ.
This business consisted largely Of seek
ing information about and locating MISS
ing people who had been stranded in Bel
GUM when the war broke out, Of whom
there were thousands. Scores of others
were also engaged In the same work, but
the British government later made COM
munication with and passage to and from
Belgium so difficult for any but military
persons that he abandoned it.
He was next heard from in France.
where he was attached to the great
american Hospital Of Paris" Section
for the Wounded, located at Neuilly-sur-
Seine. This is one of the finest hospitals
in Europe and to be attached to it's staff
in any capacity Is considered there to be
an honor. DR.. E. NJ. Marquis Of Old
Town was a member of the surgical staff
for several months while Young Arthur
was on duty there and since the latters
return to Maine he has often spoken in
the most complimentary manner Of
Young Tetreaults ability and faithfulness
to duty. He took particular pains to take
notice Of the lad and found him worthy
Of confidence and trust. The other and
higher officials of the hospital were Of
the same mind and many an errand
which required discretion and courage
was assigned to "Tet" and many an as
signment about the buildings and grounds
such as escorting visitors. etc. was given
him, because Of his pleasant and unob-
trusive manners. intelligence and tact.
He was also having experience as time
went along with the ambulances and field
hospitals. And in connection with this
occurred something as to which he has
never fully informed his family-he had
a three-months sojourn in the hospital
as a patient, either i'll or wounded Any
way. the American authorities were in
terested. because the American ambassa-
dor himself cabled the boys parents
Your son is out Of danger
Recovery soon came and his nerve staid
with him, for the next heard from him
said that he was still in the service, most
OF the time at the front. in charge of
one of the splendid American Ambu-
lances. and the true State of Maine spirit
shows in an inscription on the back of a
snapshot showing him at the wheel of a
great car reading: Webster and 'Tet'
driving my DAIMLER" Note the MY?
1t Is pleasing to make mention of an
incident while the young man was in the
hospital near Paris. An Office position
was to be filled and he was so strongly
considered for it-without application on
his part-that 1t required two solid weeks
for an applicant, native of that coun-
try and man Of means. to secure enough
Pull to land the job
The French Troopers on the March" !
picture was snapped from his ambu-
lance somewhere in France" as about
all such pictures are labeled. The pa
thetic City Of the Dead" is also some
where in France" The first, showing
Arthur. also shows an American bow.
Welsberter Of New York City. This pic
ture was taken at the Quai d'Orsay in
Paris. and they were engaged in handling
hospital supplies, one of their many du-
ties. The next trip might be to within
sound OF the guns after some poor chap
who had been made a mark for a Ger
man bullet. gas or shell. The young Au-
gustan's future career and experience in
the war will be watched with interest.