JUNE 18, 1943
………………………………………………..George Washington Thomas, who was 100 on February 22, was
the E. W. Pierce Post 8, Grand Army of the Republic Commander and last member of
the local Civil War Post, when he died on Friday, June 18 at his home in Plympton.
……….He died in the 155 year-old farm house where he was born, which was built by his father.
His death reduces the ranks of living Civil War veterans in Massachusetts to seventeen.
……….Commander Thomas made his last public appearance in Middleboro on Memorial Day, when he
officially headed and actively participated in the annual observance.
………On his 100th birthday in February, he was honored by, among others, Dr. John H. Hall,
Department Commander of the Massachusetts American Legion and a member of Middleboro’s Simeon
L. Nickerson Post 64 and John S.D. Fahey, District Commander of the VFW, who represented the
state department.
……….The affair was in charge of Middleboro’s Veterans Council. Refreshments were served and
gifts offered. A huge birthday cake, topped with 100 American flags, was cut and distributed
to the approximately 200 folks who attended the affair.
……….As guests arrived at his 100th birthday celebration, Commander Thomas rose to greet them,
and then, remained in his chair puffing on a cigar. Comrades brought him their favorite brands
of smokes to try and he enjoyed them all.
………..Mr. Thomas enlisted for service in the Civil War in the 38th Regiment of Massachusetts
Volunteers in 1862. After fighting at Port Huron, he was seriously ill for an extended period
in the University hospital in New Orleans. He was honorably discharged and returned to his
home in Plympton weighing 81 pounds.
……….He was the son of Henry L. Thomas and Clarissa C. (Standish). He is survived by two sons,
Clarence, 60, and George W., 70, and a grandson Theodore and granddaughter Mrs. Elfleda
Anderson. He was a direct descendant of Myles Standish of the Pilgrim group.
……….He was an honorary member of both the Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion and the
John Glass, Jr., Post Veterans of Foreign Wars. He also was a charter member of the Plympton
Grange.
……….He was buried with full military honors with services held in the Plympton Congregational
church. Military honor details from the Sons of the Union Veterans, State Guard, American
Legion, VFW, Spanish American War and both the Legion and VFW Auxiliaries attended.
………His coffin was draped with the stars and stripes. The color guard at the casket was
provided by the American Legion represented by William Kenniston and Harry Schofield.
……….At Hillcrest Cemetery, where Commander Thomas was laid to rest, a farewell salute was
fired by the Legion firing squad and “Taps” was played by Walter Campbell, Jr. with Clifton
McCrillis sounding the echo. Among the bearers were Louis Cole and and Everett W. Saunders of
the Legion.
……..The detail from Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 included: William McMahon, Patrick J. McMahon,
Francis McCausland, Harry Schofield, William Kenniston, Fred M. Wright, Horace K. AtkIns,
Paul McCann, Harry Caldwell, Joseph Dutra, Walter Cambpell, Louis A. Cole, Everett W. Saunders
and Clifton McCrillis......(Compiled By Bob Lessard Historian 2014.)
View more history for Post 64 in Middleborough, Massachusetts
