The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1918-08-15
Waldo County Boys in France

Waldo NOunty OOyo Ia AAdAi~C'
Mrs. C. r. Whitmore of East North
port, who has two sons, Corp. Herman
w and Private Forest o. Whitmore in
service in France, recently received from
the latter his message from his Majesty
King George V, written on the royal
stationery as follows:
"Soldiers of the United States, the
people of the British Isles welcome you
on your way to take your stand beside
the armies of many nations now lighting
in the old world the great battle for hu-
man freedom.
ssThe allies will gain new heart and
spirit in your company.
sI wish that could shake the hand of
each one of you and bid you godspeed on
your mission.
(Signed) GEORGE R. l."
Mrs. Alice Coombs Bramhall has re-
ceived the same from her son, Ralph A.
Bramhall; Mr.. and Mrs. Leroy A. Coombs
one from their son, Harry L. Coombs.
Mr.. Coombs also says: "Enroute some-
where in England, we visited the
church of England 1t is a beauti-
full sight 1t is SO old that it is
covered with moss on the outside. On
the inside some of the stairs are worn
down three or four inches by the feet of
it's many visitors. 1t contains all kinds
of statuary of prominent people. Eng
land is a beautiful place and we hope to
see many of its wonderful sights" Mr..
Coombs also says the Belfast boys are
well and enjoying themselves.
Mrs. Vera E. Mills of Unity received a
telegram Aug. 9th stating that her hus-
band, Corp. Wilfred Mills, had been Sc
verely wounded. He was with the Gun
Platoon, H. D. Q. Co., 103rd Infantry.
He enlisted June 5, 1917, and has been
across since September. Mrs. Mills re-
ceived a letter from him August 7th
which was written July 10th. He was
26 years of age.
Mark L. Grant, named in last Thurs
days list, is the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Joseph C. Grant of Unity Plantation.
The telegram received stated that he had
been wounded seriously July 18th. He
was member of Co. l, 9th Infantry, and
enlisted in Syracuse, N. Y, April 80,
1917. He is % years of age and always
lived in Unity He has two brothers and
four sisters residing there now.
/ Mrs. Walter H. Knowlton OF Monroe
| has received word that her son Lionel
Pitts has been wounded in action. He is
% years old, single, and guide in the
Maine woods. He enlisted IN May, 1917,
and went overseas last fall.
Mrs Alice Coombs Bramhall has re-
ceived letters from her son, Ralph A.
BramhalI, of Co. M, 302 Infantry. The
first was written on the trip over. Their
ship was fine one, it was not rough and
all enjoyed themselves. He cautions
| home folks not to expect mail too often
as it is difficult to reach the mail steam
ers. They had daily concerts on the trip,
good books to read, but missed the news
papers and feel they do not know how
the world is moving. In closing he said
eff anything happens to me you must re-
member that l could not have given my
life for a better cause. However, we
must not anticipate anything but the
best" On his arrival in England, he says
the buildings are all small, of brick and
cement and there are no sky-scrapers.
The farms are small and well-cared for.
He also wrote on his arrival at the rest
camp in France after an uneventful trip
from England. He found France warm
lust like Maine in July and August. He
has received letters regularly from friends
and greatly appreciated them. He had
talked with several men who had been
there from the first and they are very
optimistic as to the outcome. They be-
lieve the war will be over before another
spring. Everyone in our camp is happy
and feeling fine. l find l remember my
French better than expected; can read
the French newspapers sufficiently to get
the idea and can make myself understood.
The Red Cross and the Y. M. C.. A., are
to be found everywhere and the benefit
they give to the soldiers cannot be esti-
mated at home. Especially have we
found this true of the Y. M. C. A. hope
Belfast does well in the next drive. 1t
should be responded to by everyone.
shall have an accumulation of mail soon,
as I have received none since leaving
Camp Devens. Will write as often as
can"
Corp Benjamin Berry, reported kill
ed in action, was "a years old, and the
first to fall from that town. He enlisted
at Bangor last summer in Co. G, 1O3d In
fantry. While home on furlough he
married Miss Ruth McDonough of VIM
terport He is also survived by his par
ents and one sister.