May 12, 2008
.........Robert N. Lessard, a member of Middleboro’s American Legion Post 64, was honored on
Monday, May 12, 2008, at Attleboro City Hall by the Attleboro Historical Commission for his
military research regarding a “misplaced” grave marker.
........The stone marker, which had disappeared nearly 80 years ago, was for Private Augustus
A. Starkey. He was a civil war soldier, who had enlisted in Company H, 40th Massachusetts
Infantry in Attleboro on September 1, 1862.
.........Lessard had been contacted by Middleboro resident and Commander of Middleboro’s John
Glass, Jr., Post 2188 VFW, Chris Wainwright who had found the stone.He had been doing
construction work in Norton. The cemetery marker was found under a gutter drain pipe and was
being used as splash plate. (See posted stories for Nov 8&11/2007 regarding the stone.)
.........During a special ceremony held on Saturday, November 10, 2007, the stone was returned
to Starkey’s grave site at the Old Kirkyard cemetery with full military honors including a
short parade, 21 gun salute and Taps. Among the participants were members of Middleboro’s
Veterans Council Honor Guard, Oak Point Veterans Association Color Guard and the Civil War Re-
enactment group, the 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Irish-Brigade led by Captain Thomas
Higgins.
.........The Attleboro Historical Association presented Mr. Lessard with a 2007 Historic
Preservation award during the ceremony held in the City Council Chambers. Marian Wrightington,
chairwoman of the Historical Association made the presentation.
..........She stated, “Mr. Lessard researched and returned the cemetery stone of Augustus
Starkey, a Civil War veteran, to the grave in the Old Kirkyard. It had been missing for years
and it’s great to have it returned to its rightful place.”
.......Among the Post 64 members, not including the Honor Guard, who attended the ceremony
were Senior Vice-Commander Don Triner and
Junior Vice-Commander Bob Burke.
View more history for Post 64 in Middleborough, Massachusetts
