Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-06-27
BERNARD A. DIEDRIcH.


Sergt. Bernhard A. Diedricn, Wau-
watosas first victim of the World
War, was laid 30 rest with impressive
ceremonies last Monday, The funeral
rites were conducted in ST. Bernard's
Church, Father Fitzgerald officiating.
The services were attended by many
relatives, boyhood friends and most
of Our representative citizens. The
church MAS filed to it's capacity and
many viewed the ceremonies from the
Parish Hall. 1t rarely happens that
such great honor is paid to young
man, but in this case it was richly de-
served
The deceased was born in Wauwa-
tosa, Sept. Sth. 1894 He grew up
among Us, and was always admired
and respected by everyone who knew
MIN. = The Diedrich family has the
great distinction Of being one of the
very few who gave four sons to their
country during the World War OF
the four sons Bernard was the first TO
volunteer He joined the Wisconsin
National Guard in 1915 when he was
but nineteen. He was made corporal
at Camp Douglas and served in Mexi-
co under Gen. Pershing. After this
campaign he was promoted to the
rank OF sergeant ard Immediately re-
enlisted for the World War. He con
tinued his training for few months
in Waco, Texas, before sailing for
France as a member of the 32nd Divi-
sion. On arriving in France he was
sent to the Army Candidates school
to prepare for Ieutenancy. After
finishing his studies he was again pro
NOTED TO the rank of top sergeant and
ordered to join the 12Sth Infantry OF
the fighting 32nd at Chateau Thierry.
The first great battle in which he took
part was the crossing of the Marine,
where the Germans fed in disorder
for the first time and the tide of vic
tory turned to the Allies. Then came
the Oufcq and the Vesle. AT this
point his company was sent north to
assist the French in the stubborn
fighting around Scissors He fought
in the front line trenches at Tardieres
and Juvigny. Here he fell victim to
the most cruel method of warfare ever
invented, the deadly chlorine gas. He
was sent to the Base Hospital and re-
manned there three weeks. To all ap.
pearances he had fully recovered and
rejoined his company in the Argonne
Forest. He fought in the Argonne
from Sept. 26th until the armistice
was signed He marched with the vic
torious Army of Occupation in Ger
many and was stationed at Dierdorf
near Coblenz. 1t was not long before
the deadly effects of the chlorine be-
gan to appear. In January he was
forced to go to a hospital in Coblenz
and from that time until he died his
travelling consisted of going from one
hospital to the other, always getting
little closer to his old home in Wauwa-
tosa and the friends he loved so well.
His great desire was satisfied a few
weeks ago when he came up from Fort
Sheridan and spent day in his old
home and visited as many of his boy
hood friends as his fast failihr
strength permitted He returned to
the hospital at Fort Sheridan where
he was given the best medical assist
ance possible but all to no avail. He
passed away last Friday peacefully
and quietly. He bore his long Illness
Ike true soldier. During it all he
was never known to utter word OF
complaint and always met his friends
with the same smile and good cheer
that we knew so we'll
Our sympathy goes out to the be.
reaved parents, brothers and sister.
but at the same time we rejoice with
them in having a son and brother so
noble in life and SO inspiring in death.