TEN FROM MIDDLEBORO LOSE LIVES DURING WW1 DUE TO FLU WHILE SERVING

By Bob Lessard, Commander/Historian

Nickerson Post 64 American Legion

Published in Middleboro Gazette 4/16/20

During these trying times with the many concerns over coronavirus, local research revealed that Middleboro was impacted during 1917-18 by the influenza epidemic deaths of ten residents serving with the military during World War 1.

A volunteer with the Red Cross Nursing Corps, Nina Louise Seymour lost her life while rendering aid to our troops in France. She had been in country for only a month when she died at age 26 years of pneumonia.

Miss Seymour is the only woman posted on the Central Casualty stone in Middleborough’s Veterans Memorial Park. A large bronze plaque, bought through donations, was designed by Reed & Barton of Taunton. Her plaque is prominently displayed in the health department office in the bank building.

The nine others, who lost their lives due to disease/ flu/ or pneumonia during World War 1 include in alphabetical order: Harold Ashley, Francis P. Breck,  William Green, Isaac Griffin, Daniel McLeod, Joseph Meglio, William H. Messer, Fred Robinson and Harry M. Rogers. A brief biographical sketch of the nine men, who died of disease while serving their country follows.

Harold R. Ashley, born August 10, 1887, worked in the cutting room of the George E. Keith Company. He entered the service August 30, 1918 and was assigned to Camp Upton, New York. He died of pneumonia on September 28, 1918 at the age of 30 years. His grave is located in Central Cemetery.

Francis P. Breck, a member of the United States Navy, died on November 6, 1917, while at the training station in Newport, Rhode Island. He was the son of Dr. Samuel Breck.

William Green, mustered into the United States Marine Corps, 51st Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Regiment, American Expeditionary Forces on April 26, 1917. He lived on Bedford Street with his mother before entering the service. He was a private and he died somewhere in France of disease.

Isaac C. Griffin, entered the United States Army at the age of 26 on June 24, 1918. He had been a shoemaker at the Leonard, Shaw and Dean factory. He was with the 19th Company of the Depot Brigade at Fort Devens, when he died of disease September 22, 1918.

Daniel McCleod, joined the Naval Reserve on April 16, 1918. He was 23 years old. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Colin McCleod of Crowell Street. Previously, he had been employed as brakeman for the NY, NH and H railroad. He was a Seaman 2nd Class on the battleship Maine at Hampton Roads, Norfolk, VA. He died October 1, 1918 after a week’s sickness. He is interred in Central Cemetery.

Joseph Meglio, at age 28 was drafted (Number 969) and entered the United States Army on May 27, 1918. He had worked for George Jamison’s shoe fix company. He was serving with the 314th Infantry, Company C in France. He contracted pneumonia and died October 20, 1918. His wife Rose, living in Brockton, was notified of his death by the War Department.

William H. Messer was born in Middleborough in 1898. He had previously been a member of the Massachusetts National Guard serving as a Private. His unit transferred into the 104th Infantry and was shipped overseas on October 3, 1917. He was promoted to Private First Class and served in an artillery unit. He died on December 17, 1917, while hospitalized with pneumonia and tuberculosis. His brother Benjamin F. was a Private serving with the Military Police. His sister, Miss Florence Messer was living at Fall Book Farm, when notified of his death.

Fred M. Robinson, born in Nova Scotia in 1890, had worked in the dressing room of the George E. Keith factory. He joined the United States Army on April 26, 1918 and served with the Infantry as a musician. He shipped overseas on July 7, 1918, according to sources. He transferred to an Engineer section, where he reportedly saw some action. He died at age 27 in France from disease. He left his wife F.A. Robinson of 21 Everett Street.

Harry M. Rogers was mustered into the service on June 24, 1918. He was assigned with the 19th Company Depot Brigade at Camp Devens. He had been home on leave at 17 Forest Street when he contracted pneumonia. He died on September 21, 1918 at the age of 26. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Albert N. and Lizzie Rogers is interred in Central Cemetery.

Five Middleborough men were Killed In Action during WW1. They include John F. Glass, Roger L. Keedwell, Simeon L. Nickerson, Charles E. Reed and Joseph G. Rose. All fifteen individuals, who lost their lives during WW1, are remembered by their names displayed on the Central Casualty stone in Middleborough’s Veterans Memorial Park.