HISTORY OF AMBULANCE COMPANY No. 105 (FORMER FOURTH N. Y. AMBULANCE CO.) 102nd SANITARY TRAIN 27th DIVISION, U. S. A. Copyright 1919 WALTER CHASKEL 557 Academy St.. Astoria. L I., N. Y. >* k Living' Insignia, 2;th I)i .Maj. Ccn. John F. (VRv I'op.vriKlit March 18. 1919 Mole & Thomas. 915 Mfdinah Bhig., Tliicago. III. APr< 30 |y|9 ©CLA5ii53l3 )N November 10, 1915, the Fourth Ambulance Company, N. G. N. Y., was formally mustered into ^State Service at the Jefferson Street Armory, Syracuse, N. Y., by Lt.-Col. W. S. Terriberry, the Division SSurgeon. Ten days previously, Capt. Jefferson B. Latta had received orders from the Adjutant Gen- Jeral of the State of New York to organize this company, and in this comparatively short space of time 'a full complement of men had been obtained. Durng the ensuing months recruiting progressed rapidly, ^and on March 10, 1916, the maximum war strength of 79 men and 5 officers had been reached. The officers at that time were Capt. Jefferson B. Latta, and First Lieutenants William E. Truex, Ralph H. Dunning, Fred- erick S. Wetherell, and Seymore E. Schwartz. A week after the call of the President on June 19, 19 16, the company proceeded to Camp Whitman, N. Y., where it was mustered into Federal Service on July 9th. On July 1 5th the week's railroad journey to McAllen, Texas, was started, and the company, as a unit of the Sixth Division, began its term of service on the Border, which, though originally supposed could not possibly last more than ninety days, actually was prolonged month after month, through Election Day, the anniversary celebration on November 10th, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Finally tents were struck on February 19, 1917, and a happy company, including the pet burro "Texas'", was at last northward bound. Long though the term of duty had been, there was seldom a dull moment, and in reminiscing over the McAllen days, perhaps it is to be pardoned if the "Old Timers" make affectionate reference occasionally to that now well-worn phrase. "When we were on the Border." A picket line with sixty-five mules and twenty-two horses, hunting expeditions for ducks, quail, rabbits, rattlesnakes, etc.,^ sand storms and hurricanes, ditch-digging. Divisional Reviews, ambulance convoys to Sterling's Ranch and the Artillery Range at La Gloria, the ten-day hike to Fort Ringgold, Rio Grande City, all these, and many more incidents bring back memories which the years cannot efface. Almost every man made a trip either to San Antonio, Corpus Christi, or Brownsville, and across the International Bridge to Mafamoras, Mexico. Two of the! more venturesome members, attired as German aviators, ] ■? penetrated two hundred miles into the interior of Mexico to the City of Monterey. An emission and a commission occurred toward the end of 1916. respectively, in the resignation of Lieutenant Whetherell from, and the assignment of Lt. Reginald M. Ballantyne to this organization. Shortly after the muster out of the company, which took place on March I st, Lieutenant Dunning tendered his resignation, and later became the "Dashing Leader" of the depot unit. u^y h :^^i&_ <:i(h Fourth Ambulance Co.. McAllcn. Te.x.. 1916-17 The routine of weekly drills at the Armory was shortly enlivened by the appearance of a sprightly sergeant-instructor by name of White, whose "vun, two, tree, four" resounded through the arched dome of our Armory in tones like unto that of an excited fish peddler. Attention, men! More respect must be shown. Salute your new officer. Lieutenant White. Yes. indeed, in those mid- summer days of 1917 many queer things were sprung on us; but despite all handicaps, a full quota of men answered the call on July 16, 1917. Drafted into Federal Service on August 5th, the organi- zation became known as Ambulance Company 105, 102nd Sanitary Train under the organization of the 2 7th Division, and on Septem- ber 7th proceeded to Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, S. C. The Camp site was admirably located on a nice broad roadway, and all the tents, the mess hall and shower baths electrically lighted. Thanks to the close proximity of the Base Hospital, new wards of Picket Line. McAUen, Tex. which were constantly under course of construction, the tents acquired wooden floors and sides as if by magic, and later in the year when the "Sunny South" took on the appearance of Labrador, stoves and coal became an additional gratuitous issue. Lieutenant Bal'.antyne returned to his command September 22. 1917, having been absent on detached service at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Ind., with Lieutenant Schwartz since July. The latter remained at the Fort until the follow- ing month and resigned his commission in the National Guard to accept a commission in the Regular Army. First Lieutenant John W. McKemy, Medical Reserve Corps, was assigned to this command from Fort Benjamin Harrison in November and received his com- mission as Captain M. R. C. the following month. On April 1st, 1918, Captain Truex received notification of his promotion to that rank, and on the I 0th Captain Ballantyne was likewise notified. In October the Company received its equipment of thirteen motor ambulances and from then on performed ambulance service for the entire camp as well as for the target ranges located twenty miles distant in a most picturesque section of the Blue Ridge mountains. Valuable experience was gained by details of men who were assigned at various times to the infirmaries of the Ammu- nition Train at Gowansville and Campobello, as well as in the operating room, dressing room, and wards of the Base Hospital. Again the anniversary on November 1 0th was celebrated in fitting manner by a banquet and entertainment at the Cleveland Hotel, Spartanburg's Hotel DeLuxe. For Thanksgiving and Christmas, turkey dinners were served in the company's mess hall which w^as appropriately decorated for the occasions. After New Years the weeks dragged into months and it was not until May 1 9, 1918, that the company left Camp Wadsw^orth for Camp Stuart, Newport News, Va. Meanwhile a severe loss had been sustained, but contrary to the established theory, there was no corresponding gain. Namely, on March 21st our erstwhile officer. Lieutenant White, was assigned to the position of Adjutant of the Sanitary Train. That one sentence signifies and will always recall to the Cotton-tails, quail and three other -birds" minds of some thousand odd men a period of mirth combined with misery. There may be a niche in heaven for Adjutants, but if so we prefer to be relegated to the other place. Restrictions were as numerous as they were ridiculous, and of a nature designed to encourage a perfectly new and fascinating outdoor sport, known as "running the guard," and though the merciless pen of the lawmaker dealt severely with the less fortunate culprits who happened to fall within his clutches, the entire proceedings lent diversion and zest to what are now known as the Battles of Wadsworth and Stuart. Although passes were at a premium, many a party was hastily organized and enjoyed trips to Old Point Comfort, Fortress Munroe, Buckrow Beach, and Norfolk. All things good or bad finally come to an end, however, and when on June 30th all hands clamored aboard the U. S. S. Huron, the former "Kaiser Friedrich der Grosse, " it was with light hearts and visions of the sterner duties to be per- formed "Over There." The trip across was memorable in many respects, though only one real exciting incident occurred. A few days out from port a .submarine was sighted and a short but decisive naval battle ensued, which terminated with the customary disastrous results to the U-boat. The Fourth of July on the high seas was celebrated by impressive ;eremonies, speeches by the ship's Captain, the Army Colonel and Grande City. Tex. the Chaplain, a band concert and boxing tournament. iiljiii ny South; np Wads At 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the twelfth, the welcome cry of "Land " resounded, and shortly afterwards the rockbound coast of Brittany became plainly discernible. The fleet of thirteen trans- ports at once formed a single file with the good ship Huron second in line, and convoyed by numerous torpedo boat destroyers, picked its way majestically into the Harbor of Brest, with flags flying, bands playing, men singing and cheering, and (what had been a tabooed act on the entire trip) electric lights shining brightly. The follow- ing day the unloading of men and cargo began and it was a de- cidedly happy and carefree throng that trudged through the quaint streets to the outskirts of the city where pup tents were pitched in a field. We were now in what is termed a "rest camp." To the unitiated it may not be amiss to state that the man who invented rest camps must have been a combination of deep sea diver and contortionist. It rained almost incessantly that first week, and when finally the sun broke through the mist someone evolved the brilliant idea to transfer us to the nearby historical Pontanezen Barracks where it was easy enough to keep dry even though it did not rain. In lieu of some better reason let us say that "for the good of the service" this company was retained at Brest, on duties hereinafter set forth, while every other unit of the Sanitary Train was ordered to different points at or near the front. Let it be said to the credit of the 105th that although they performed their specified tasks cheerfully, there was not a man who would not gladly have changed places with those others who were right up in the line of advance. Pontanezen Barracks were visited and inspected on August 2nd by General Pershing and on August 1 6th by President Poincare, both of whom delivered stirring speeches. Even at that early date the General came out openly with the prediction that hostilities would cease before the end of the year, and later events proved that his prophesy was well founded. On August 28th the companv moved to tents in a park called Bois de Boulogne, the location being w^ithin easier access to the Motor Reception Park and the water front. There were details of men assigned to assemble all sorts of motor vehicles, and they did it well. Several trips were made with fleets of new motor con- veyances driven by our men to such points as La Havre, St. Nazaire, and Dijon, which consumed from three to fifteen days. There were other details that unloaded hospital trains of wounded shack. Camp Wadsworth s C Americans and transferred them to transports to be returned to the Personnel of Ambulance Co. 105 as it returned from France, March 1919 Truex. William E., 1 5 1 E. Genesee St.. Syracuse, N. Y. McKemy, John W., 509 W. 4th St., Dayton, O. Ballantyne, Reginald M., 211 Barrett St., Syracuse, N. Y. .Algeo, Horace F., 1 129 Park Ave., Hoboken, N. J. Bailey, William, 270 14th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Bauder, Ray E., 9 Wood St., Baldwinsville, N. Y. Benson, Glenn R., Parish, N. Y. Bentley, Willis J., 104 Center St., Solvay, N. Y. Berry, lohn A.. 739 Ostrom Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Blint, Irving C, 1403 Butternut St., Syracuse, N. Y. Bowne, Warren P., Queensboro Hill, Flushing, L. 1. Briggs, Louis, 202 Granger St., Syracuse, N. Y. Bristol, Earl W., Fort Miller, N. Y. Bullion, Ambrose F., 313 W. Manlius St., E. Syracuse, N. Y. Bunch, John T., 1125 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N. Y. Bunch, Persifer S., Jr., 4 1 9 W. 129th St., New York City, N. Bushnell, Carl E., 126 Pleasant .^ve., Syracuse, N. Y. Butler, Roscoe H., 15 Marlette Ave., Onondaga Valley, N. Y. Buxbaum, Emanuel, 15 12 Union St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Barone, Tony, 169 Cale St., Bridgeport, Conn. Chase, Willard W., Charleston, Okla. Cioffe, Guisseppe, 1206 North Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. Chappell, Clarence J., 532 Columbus Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Chaskel, Walter, 557 Academy St., Astoria, L. I. Clark, Robert E., 108 Hartson St., Syracuse, N. Y. Collins, Joseph, Warners, N. Y. DeLano, Carl R., 110 Ballard Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. DeMatteis, Joseph, 673 Central Ave., Peekskill, N. Y. Dessert, Frank, 41 I Second St., Liverpool, N. Y. DeStefano, Frank, 603 President St., Brooklyn, N. Y. DeVaro, Rocco, 8646 Bay 12th St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Doust, George R., 207 Parkway Drive, Syracuse, N. Y. Engelhardt, Emil, 265 Hamburg Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Ferguson, Harry O., Hammond, N. Y. Ferrarai, Stefano, 156 Central Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Fey, William H., 300 S. Lowell Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Fey, Paul G., 300 S. Lowell Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Frawley, Kenneth E., 451/2 Salina St., Baldwinsville, N. Y. Fuller, Richard, 308 W. 43rd St., New York City, N. Y. Foshee, Samuel D., Cohasset, Ala. Goebel, George A., 549 Columbus Ave., Syracuse. N. Y. Gomez, Daniel J., 1080 St. Johns Place, Brooklyn, N. Y. Gorman, Edward J.. 1219 Milton Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Guenthner, Frank H., Jr., 121 Dwight St., Syracuse, N. Y Hale, Ivan B., Warners, N. Y. Hammond, Arthur L., 508 Elm St., Rome, N. Y. Harlow. Clifford J., 824 Cannon St., Syracuse, N. Y. Henry, Frank D., Port Byron, N. Y. Henry, Rowland W., Port Byron, N. Y. Holcomb, George A., 54 7 Burnet Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Hull, Robert H., 15 15 Groton Ave., Cortland, N. Y. Harris, Percy L., Christoval, Tex. Jennings, George H., Kinney St., East Syracuse, N. Y. Jennings, Merton E., Kinney St., East Syracuse, N. Y. Johnson. Ravmond A., 1 Hull Park Ave., Batavia, N. Y. Jones, Harold C, 3 10 Grant Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Klink, Philip C, 702 Ash St., Syracuse, N. Y. Kompe, Clair, 613 Park St., Syracuse, N. Y. Kresga, John F., 309 Cascadilla St., Ithaca. N. Y. Kurtz. Walter S., 112 Seward St., Syracuse, N. Y. Lanning, Raymond. 145 Lawrence St., Syracuse, N. Y. LaValle, Leon C, 805 Highland St., Syracuse, N. Y. Layden, John R., Hornell, N. Y. Leib. Arthur E., 4 1 Prospect St.. Newark, N. Y. Levine, Sidney L., 181 Bay 2 5th St.. Brooklyn. N. Y. Lewis, Albert D., Brewerton. N. Y. Lewis, Henry J., 25 1 1 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Littlewood, Ernest, 339 Driscoll Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Marchese. Salvatore, 217 Wallabout St., Brooklyn, N. Y. Marks, Allan K., 1742 St. Paul St., Rochester, N. Y. Maynard, Wi.bur E., 90 McLean Ave., Yonkers, N. Y. Mendell, Guy E., 504 E. Jefferson St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Metz, Floravne A., Jamesville, N. Y. Michaels, Michael A.. 1301 S. Geddes St., Syracuse, N. Y. Miller, Jacob, 106 Josephine St., Syracuse, N. Y. Moore, Felix L., 79 Barnes St., 2 Gouverneur, N. Y. Moss, Albert J., 222 Shonnard St., Syracuse, N. Y. Mulherin, Frank J., 279 North St.. Rochester. N. Y. Muller. Carroll. 4610 S. Salina St.. Syracuse, N. Y. McFall, Robert L., 307 Crossett St., Syracuse. N. Y. McDougall, John D., Krebbo, Okla. Nickels, Edward, 618 Park St., Syracuse, N. Y. O'Rear, Rufus, Dekallo. Tex. Paetznick, Victor H., 1008 Butternut St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Pannell. Henry B., Comanche, Okla. Parkhurst, Charles E., 363 Tennyson Ave.. Syracuse, N. Peck, Louis B., 1812 Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, N. Y. Plant, William A., 153 Beverly Rd., Syracuse, N. Y. Ratnour. Claude L.. Chittenango. N. Y. Rea, Carl B.. 15 Morris St.. Auburn, N. Y. Richai Reich. Shipp, Scamr Schille Schwa Sea ma Short, Short, Smith, Snyde Stantc Stewa Sulliv, Swift. Tomli Tuck. Vallai VanR Vedd. Weiss Wells, Wells, Willia Wilso Wool Yuck Zarer Zion. dson. Ernest W.. 361 South Ave., Syracuse. N. ' .nbach. Fred. 457 18th St.. Brooklyn. N. Y. Howard J., R. F. D. I, Box 57, Nash, Texas lell, Carl L., 618 Onondaga Ave., Syracuse. N. ' r. Carl J.. 808 Court St.. Syracuse, N. Y. rtz. Harry, 88 Humboldt St.. Brooklyn. N. Y. n. Raymond V.. Washi-ngtonville. N. Y. Harry D.. 4 Benham Ave.. Auburn, N. Y. Harold J., 4 Benham Ave., Auburn, N. Y. , Fred J., 114 Grand Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. r. Henry W.. 109 Douglas St.. Syracuse, N. Y. ■ n, John, Jr., 143 Coolidge Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. rt. Gage H., 307 Crouse Bldg., Syracuse. N. Y. »n, Edward J.. 703 Oswego St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Frederick W., 815 South Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. nson, Charles J., 102 W. Corning Ave., Syracus. r, Bernard. 808 Greenway Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. o. Anthony, 44 N. Lexington Ave., White Plains, N. Y. per, Alfred L., 3 13 Jackson St., Syracuse, N. Y. r, Maurice C, 4 Division St., Ba'dwinsville, N. Y. John, 218 E. 7;h St.. New York City, N. Y. Fred. 523 Burnet Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Raymond. 214 Blust St.. Syracuse. N. Y. ms. Ernest E.. Coxscacie. N. Y. n, Arthur J., 439 N. Main St.. Scranton. Pa. ley. John H., 566 Vancortland Park Ave., Yonkers, N. Y. =1, Thomas R., 311 W. Pleasant Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. aba. Stanley E.. 408 Liberty St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Walter S., 107 Sweeting St.. Syracuse, N. Y. ii'iiliHiiliiili iililiiillli Former Members of Ambulance Co. (105 4th Ambulance Co.) Latta, Jefferson B., Park and Butternut Sts., Syracuse. N. Y. Schwartz, Seymour C, 302 Hawley Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Wallace, Kenneth E., 54 West 100th St., New York City Dunning, Ralph H., 2710 James St., Syracuse. N. Y. Wetherell, Frederick S., 629 Catherine St., Syracuse, N. Y. Anson, Charles, 14 Grand St., Rochester, N. Y. Anson, Raymond, 14 Grand St., Rochester. N. Y. Besick, John, Minoa, N. Y. Barfoot, Frank, 421 Tallman St., Syracuse, N. Y. Bahn, Chester H., Liverpool, N. Y. Brisbin, Jack H., 330 Third North St., Syracuse, N. Y. Bliss, Seymour C, 28 S. Main St., Holley, N. Y. Buhl, Karl H., 915 Butternut St., Syracuse, N. Y. Burton. Thomas, Utica, N. Y. Bentley, Claude H., 104 Center St., Solvay, N. Y. Brown, Chas. E., Capitol St., Auburn, N. Y. Beers, Leroy V., 102 Coral Ave., Onondaga Valley, N. Y. Cate, Howard E., 27 1 W. Lafayette Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Cate, William F., P. O. Box 3 14, Oriskany Falls, N. Y. Coolidge, Henry A., 427 Shonnard St., Syracuse, N. Y. Clearwater, Chandler C, 123 Atherlon Ave,. Syracuse. N. Y. Conroy. Francis D., 39 Fair St., Norwich, N. Y. Costello, William J., 9 Westmore Rd., Boston, Mass. Crandall, Frank, R. F. D. No. I, Syracuse, N. Y. Crandall. Clayton W., R. F. D. No. 1, Syracuse. N. Y. Coling. Walter M., 203 1 S. Geddes St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Chase. Wil'iam J.. 403 South Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Edgren. Edward F., Turtle St., Syracuse, N. Y. Earll, David S., Jr., 615 Butternut S"., Syracuse, N. Y. Flint, Albert O., East Syracuse. N. Y. Fish. Henry A.. 328 Sherwood Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Fish. Herbert J.. 2031 Cortland Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Farrance. Leslie ,A.. 843 S. Wilbur Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Farnett. Alfred J., 304 Tennyson Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Graff. Harry N.. 511 E. Jefferson St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Gronau. Frank A.. 949 Emerson Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Grobosky. Leonard I.. 228 Hier Ave.. Syracuse. N. Y. Gomon. Harry L.. I 109 Milton Ave., Solvay. N. Y. Gwynn. Arthur T., 64 7 Dwi-jht St., Syracuse, N. Y. Glahn. Roland D.. 200 Seneca St., Syracuse, N. Y. Glahn, Frederick, 200 Seneca St., Syracuse, N. Y. Gifford, Bert H., 1 5 I E. Genesee St., Syracuse. N. Y. DeGarland. Maurice. Ft. McPherson. Atlanta. Ga. Hutchinson. Bede. 222 Shonnard St.. Syracuse, N. Y. Holl, Claire P., 81 Pomeroy St., Cortland, N. Y. Hooper, Leon M., 301 Centre St.. Solvay. N. Y. Harrington. Louis H.. 617 Wilbur Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Hubbard, John F., 1945 W. Fayette St., Syracuse, N. Y. Holloran. John A.. 243 Fitch St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Haines, Harold, 347 Robinson St., Syracuse, N. Y. Hale, Lucien, Fayetteville, N. Y. Hollis, Raymond A., 2321 Uber St., Philadelphia, N. Y. Harrison, Richard F., 1 105 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, N. Y Hook, Arthur C, 209 Wall St., Syracuse, N. Y. Jones, George A., Syracuse, N. Y. Johnson. Grover C. 415 Federal Bldg.. Buffalo. N. Y. Kellar. Walter. 3 58 W. Newell St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Kunlz. Louis L.. 605 Danforth St.. Syracuse. N. Y. Lavoy, Kenneth R., 107 E. Yates Ave., East Syracuse, N. V Lavoy, Frank M., 107 E. Yates St., East Syracuse, N. Y. Laidlaw, Glenn, Gouverneur, N. Y. Meyer, Herbert C, 203 Seymour St., Syracuse, N. Y. Nickels, Chas. J., Minneapolis, Minn. Perry, Solvay, 10 1 Arlington Ave., Syracuse, N. Y. Peck, Eber K. O., Warner, N. Y. Palmer. William S.. Boston. Mass. Phelps. Ellsworth E.. 1438 S. State St., Syracuse, N. Y. Quick, Floyd, Seymour St., Syracuse, N. Y. Rapp, Wi'liam, Syracuse, N. Y. Richardson, Frank J., 812 High'and Ave., Syracuse. N. Y. Reese. A'bert. 1 14 Garfield St.. Rochester, N. Y. Rounds, Harry E., 206 Craig S:.. Syracuse. N. Y. Sul'ivan, William J., 703 Oswego St., Syracuse, N. Y. Smith, Al. H., 217 W. Kennedy St., Syracuse, N. Y. Schindler, Leo, 812 Highland St., Syracuse, N. Y. Schindler, Walter, I 1 8 S. Carbon St., Syracuse, N. Y. Stevens. Edward M.. Ill Harricon P'.. Syracuse. N. Y. Terrerzio, Enrico. P. O. Box 51. Lincoln Park. N. Y. Terwori. Wil'iam A.. Rou'e No. 4. Kiowa. Okla. Woodruff'. Chas.. 4 Snowden Apts.. Syracuse. N. Y. Wiegand. Maurice, 1301 N. S'ale St., Syracuse, N. Y. Webb. John, fernwood. N. Y. Wood. Moses A., 1206 E. Water St., Syracuse, N. Y. Walsh, John R., Buffa'o, N. Y. We';ster. lames I., Eastwood, N. Y. Yi'kely, Harold E.. 705 Turtle S;,, Syracuse, N. Y. States. And they did that well. Still others unloaded the sick men from incoming ships, and though we shall only touch briefly on this phase of our endeavors in this narrative, it will always form a memorable chapter in our lives. It was here that we first began to realize and appreciate the months of training and physical con- ditioning received at Camp Wadsworth, for, exposed to all manner of contagion, not a man in the company contracted the dreaded "Flu" or pneumonia. in utmost modesty it may likewise be chronicled that this duty was performed creditably, and met with the unqualified commendation of the Base Surgeon. Finally on October 1 4th the order to move toward the front was received and immediately there was great rejoicing in the ranks. Our dream was at last to be fulfilled. That which we had enlisted Motor Ambulances Camp Wadsworth s c for would soon be realized. One feature marred what would have otherwise been a joyous occasion. Captain Latta, who had come to be looked upon as a fixture of this company, had been ordered to remain in Brest to organize a Provisional Ambulance Company, and thirteen of our men volunteered to form the neucleus, in exchange for which a like number was added to our ranks. Captain Truex took over the reins of office and together with Captain Ballantyne the railroad journey began with the ultimate destination in doubt by all. The first stop of importance was at Rouen, where ample time was given the men for sight-seeing, and there were many points of interest to be looked up. The famous Cathedrals, Museums, and the spot where "Jeanne dArc" perished, were but a few of the places sought out. That night the company in a body attended an excellent variety show and surprised the audience as well as performers by outbursts of genuine \ ankee enthusiasm. We were now in a sec- tion of France in which British troops predominated and in many respects the change was a welcome one, especially as we could once m.ore make ourselves understood without the aid of violent gesticu- lations to which we had been forced to resort in ""parley-vooing" to the natives of Brest. The compartment coaches in which we had travelled thus far were substituled for dinky box cars, labelled "40 Hommes — 8 Cheveaux"", and after another day and night en route we entered the zone through which Death had but recently stalked. Amiens was the first city through which we passed that showed marks of bombardments. The next town, Villers Bretenoux, was the Entrance to Harbor, Brest. France farthest point the Germans had reached, and from here on every ihlliliiillLllihUllllliiii; liMiii>uiii'iii;liilillliilliilll:l!l11!il>l.illlililil:liiilii:iiiiiiiilllll village was literally wiped off the map. The more level stretches of country were covered with line upon line of communicating trenches in various states of demolition, while every hillside was honeycombed with dugouts, some to accommodate one or two men and others capable of affording shelter to a thousand or more. Barbed wire entanglements seemed to cover every foot of the ground, and shell holes varying in diameter from six to sixty feet had disembowled the earth. Trees, leafless and bare seemed to raise their limbs heavenward as if in mute supplication. Taken all in all, the ruin and desolation baffles description. At Roisel we quit the train and were ordered to a camp on a hillside overlooking the Valley of the Somme. Our kitchen was established in a shed that had served as stable shelter for German o„„„„„.„ D,„,.-i„ n,.„, u..,„^. artillery horses not more than two weeks previously, and directly rontanezen carracKs, crest, r ranee .' t ^ f outside a gigantic red cross was outlined on the ground — another evidence of Hun deviltry — to give the allied airmen the impression of the presence of a Field Hospital. Heavy firing could be heard distinctly, and at night red flashes in the heavens denoted the proximity of the battle line. It was here that we were rejoined by Captain McKemy and other units of the Sanitary Train who had been privileged to participate in actions on various fronts, and their lurid descriptions made us feel as though we had had things pretty soft thus far. The 2 7th Division, which had broken the Hindenburg line a fortnight before, v^^as then coming out of the lines for a well earned rest in a back area, and we, who had done nothing of an active nature had to follow along, though it was not at all to our liking. An incident occurred right here that is worthy of mention. Less than an hour after our train pulled out of Roisel, the tracks and platform where we had been standing was blown up by a delayed German mine. Several soldiers were killed and much property damaged. TTie next stop was Corbie (October 25) a small town at the junction of the Ancre and Somme rivers that had been the scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the war. It was here that the French and British held the Germans in check and finally be^an their great forward drive from this point. The surrounding battle fields had not been cleared of debris and therefore afforded a veritable harvest for souvenir hunters. If there is a man in this company who does not possess a "Jerry" helmet, bayonet, "Got Mit Uns" belt, etc., it is because he was too lazy to go out and pick them up. We were billeted in a row of little houses long since abandoned by the owners, and each squad began light housekeeping on a more or less elaborate scale. An exceptional dinner marked the anniversary of our third birthday. On the morning of November I 0th a very impressive ceremony took place in honor of our departed comrades. The Division was lined up on a piece of rising ground and at the stroke of 10 oclock every man stood at attention while a massed band played "Nearer My God to Thee." It was a vastly different appearing body of men that passed in review before the General that day than on former occasions at Camp Wadsworth. The ranks were sadly depleted in numbers, but there was a look of determination in the eyes of the men which bespoke of readiness to re-enter the lines and avenge the loss of their fallen pals. This was in reality to be a final inspection before moving up toward the battle front again. However, the very next day, November 1 I th, needless to say what occurred. We were astounded by the incessant tolling of the Cathedral bells proclaiming the signing of the Armistice. The tri-color of France, in many cases pathetically faded and worn, was triumphantly flown from the modest homes of recently returned refugees. At first, neither the natives nor the Yanks could grasp the full significance of the glorious event, but as the day progressed rejoicing became more general, and at night-fall took on quite a 4th of July aspect. From that date until the 26th, when we left Corbie for a back area, there was doubt whether our Division would be comprised in the Army of Occupation or be returned to the States, but when it became known that we were destined for the latter move, joy was unbounded and speculation rife as to the likelihood of seeing home by Christmas. St. Corneille, on the outskirts of which village we took up our abode in the shadow of an unoccupied Chateau, may be found on the map (by very close scrutiny) twenty kilos from Le Mans. Occasional visits to that c.ty helped to break the monotony of our doleful existence. Squads distributed themselves in stables, cowsheds, chicken coops and haylofts, and wiled away the time in eating, sleeping and writing falsehoods to the folks back home. The wag- oners kept busy transporting the sick of the Division from neighboring villages to the Chateau, which had been con- verted into a hospital. A very acceptable Xmas present was the acquisition of another officer to the company, Lieut. Kenneth B. Wallace. On New Year's day, by invitation of the Sanitary Train, one hundred French children gathered together outside the village church and each was presented with a little package of gifts as a momento of the American Soldiers' sojourn in their midst. A band concert helped to enliven the festivities. On January 22nd the 27th Division marched to an appointed rendezvous and was reviewed by the Commander-in- Chief, General Pershing, after which about fifty officers and men were personally decorated with medals. After many false starts, we finally received orders to pack up, and on February 25th m; --ched to Champagne (6 kilos), where we boarded American box cars and reached Brest the next day. An eight k o hike to Camp Pon- tanezen in a drenching rain and with full packs dampened everything except our spirits, and we ci #105, covering briefly Its activities from Its formation to the present time. Such a record reflects the greatest credit on the organliation and stamds as a fitting testimonitd to edl men who have been members of this command. Had this last great war continued a few days longer this company would have seen mors service nearer the front. However, wound chevrons and battles are not evorything in war, and no mors valuable work was dons anywhere overseas than that perforraed by this company at Brest. The pereonal loyalty of each man to his officers and to me, as well as the discipline and efficiency of the unit as a whole, is thoroughly appreciated, and I am only too glad to add this note of coimiandatlon to its permanent records. /:^^^^^577'^^^^-^*^^^^'^ Lt. Col. U. C. Com. 102 Sanitary Train In Memoriam JOHN B. ELLIS Died Le Mans, France January 16, 1919