Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-30

the top Of one Of the trees and threw
the plane over on its back. We first
heard that he remained in his plane
all night but this was later denied
and we learned that assistance
reached him almost immediately and
he was removed to a French hospital.
Webbie's case though was beyond
help and he died next morning in the
hospital This was Aug 2sth If am
not mistaken.
The following day his remains were
laid at rest in Field No. TO-" a beau
tiful little cemetery up in the woods
on the top Of hill overlooking the
main flying field at Issoudum. The
services though brief, as all military
funerals are, were very impressive.
All activities on the Post ceased while
the band with muffied drums led the
way. 1t was followed by the military
escort, next came the chaplain and 1t.
Stone, then the hearse with three pail
bearers on each side, and following
US were the guard Of honor which
consisted of about 40 Of his friends,
all flying lieutenants. After the re-
mains were laid at rest the chaplain
read the service, then taps was blown
on the bugle. and the firing squad
fired its parting salute which COM
pleted the services and we returned
to camp. Since I have been in the
service, little over a year, we have
attended the funeral services Of quite
number Of our friends, but discus
sing the funeral on the way home we
were all agreed that Webbie's was
by far the most impressive, best con-
Quoted military funeral that we had
ever attended. Every effort was
made to show the honor in which we
held our fallen comrade.
Webbie and have been the closest
friends ever since I went to Scott
Field in August 1917. We fought the
battles Of Fort Sill, Camp Dick. and
Hicks Field side by side; and were
sent overseas on the same order. Had
our plans only materalized we would
be side by side still.
received a letter from my wife not
long ago in which she said how ter
ribly sorry she was to learn Of Web
bies death and wanted me to send
her your address so that she could
send you some snap shots that we
took while out on one of our little
picnic parties. The pictures are not
very good, but she thought that you
would like to have them. l wrote her
then that I was sorry that did no:
her tonight.
I can't tell you how ashamed feel
that you should have been kept IN
ignorance Of the details Of one Of my
best friends death.
Mrs. Webster you lost son, but we
lost a comrade on whom we knew we
could depend when the real test Of 4
mans courage comes. as it occasion
ally does when the Huns are after
US up in the air. And real true
friends, like Pick and knew Webbe
to be, who will risk their all to stay
with you when the pinch comes are
jewels beyond price.
With deepest sympathy I remain
One Of your sons best friends.
Lieut.. WALTER A THOMSON.
0. K. Censored by W. A. Thomson,
1st 1t. A. S.
From a letter Of later date. written
by Lieut. John W. Williams. the Jour-
nal is permitted to copy the follow
ing:
He was buried with full military
honors in the cemetery at Issoudum
and a marble slab erected by his
brother officers. His grave was dec
Grated with flowers in such way AS
to cause one officer to remark: That
is the best contribution of flowers l
have seen for any man since | have