Photo: World War I soldiers camping on the site of today’s Sandy Creek Diner.

As the research on World War I soldier Chadwick Gerow (last weeks column) continued I questioned his burial place. I thought he was buried in France and the researcher was not sure but his name was added to the family gravestone which in my mind only meant it was “in memory of.”

I found a letter from Charles B. Pheruley, 1st Lt. Co. B 105 Infantry USA.
January 7, 1919:
Dear Mrs. Gerow,
No doubt you have been notified by this time by the government of the death of your beloved son, I beg to be excused for not writing you before, but it was impossible to do so because the government or in other words the War Department will not let letters go through until the family are officially notified through the proper channels at Washington.

Well, I will try to give you what information I have at my command. On the morning of the 29th of September while awaiting the morning to come to go over the top, the Huns made several direct hits on one trench which practically wiped out our whole Company; unfortunately Chadwick was hit, he was given the best of care and attention but it was no use cause the Lord was calling him where he now rests in his peaceful home in heaven.

You and the family can rest assured that Chadwick was a brave soldier who fought nobly and also died the same, he was a good Christian also, as good a soldier as he was a Christian, he made the supreme sacrifice for your protection also for freedom and democracy which now prevail in every nook and corner in the world.

Chadwick is buried in a little place called Lougisens, France in a beautiful grave that is marked with a cross therefore can be located at any time, his name being on the cross for identification. You don’t know how it grieves me to write this letter. Chadwick was such a good boy with a congenial disposition, well liked by everyone in the company or that he came in contact with, one that was always there to do his duty or help a comrade in distress.

Research and editing continues on the Town of Sandy Creek One Room Schools. We are looking for memories, copies of old report cards or Christmas plays, etc.