Champs Elysees Avenue, Paris, France 1919

Champs Elysees Avenue, Paris, France 1919

 

Murat Castle, Wilson's Home, Paris, France 1919

Murat Castle, Wilson's Home, Paris, France 1919

 

Place Concord, Paris, France, 1919

Place Concord, Paris, France 1919

 

Des Long Champs, Buis de Boulnge, Paris, France, 1919

Des Long Champs, Buis de Boulnge, Paris, France, 1919

 

Champs Elysees Avenue Towards Arc de Triumph, Paris, France 1919

Champs Elysees Avenue Towards Arc de Triumph, Paris, France 1919

 

Boat on the Seine River, Paris, France 1919

Boat on the Seine River, Paris, France 1919

 

Champs Elysees Avenue, Paris, France 1919

Champs Elysees Avenue, Paris, France 1919

 

Dirigible over Paris, France 1919

Dirigible over Paris, France, 1919

 

Cafe near the Barracks, Paris, France, 1919

Cafe near the Barracks, Paris, France, 1919

 

Grand Palais, Paris, 1919

Grand Palais, Paris, France 1919

 

on Quai D'orsay, Latin Quarter, Paris 1919

on Quai D'orsay, Latin Quarter, Paris, France 1919

 

Notre Dame, Paris, 1919

 

Notre Dame, Paris, France 1919

Through back to some photos of Paris: Boat on the Seine 1919

 Sorry for the gap in posting but the property has taken a lot of time this year.  The Paris Olympics made me thing of the photos my grand father took after World War 1 so I thought I would repost them.

Boat on the Seine, Paris, France 1919

In honor of Veterans Day

Thank you to all the Veterans who have chosen to serve our country in war and in peace! 

This post will highlight all the info I have shared on family members who have served.

 World War II

• My Father: Robert Ervin Putnam(1927-2011)
• My Aunt: Catherine Sanders Wright(1920-2017)
• My Uncle: David Joy Wright(1922-1991)
• My Uncle: Charles Merrick Wright(1924-2008)
• My Uncle: George Edward Wright(1927-2019)

World War I

• My Grandfather: Ervin Earl Putnam(1893-1988)
• His World War Diary
• My Grandfather: David Sanders Wright(1887-1969)
• My Great Uncle: Frank Houlton Putnam(1892-1930)

Civil War

• My Second Great Grandfather: Edward D. Smith(1815-1863)
• My Second Great Grandfather: John McCann(1831-1910)
• My Second Great Uncle: Franklin Adelbert Smith(1842-1864)
• My Third Great Uncle: Charles Championette Putnam(1843-1863)
• David Perkins Putnam's Civil War Letters (He was my 6th Cousin, 4 times removed)

War of 1812

• My Third Great Grandfather: Simeon Reed(1780-1853)

I hope to get some of the info I have on my Uncles put together and start entering info on some of my revolutionary war ancestors.  So stay tuned!

David Sanders Wright Discharge Letter

 I came across my Grandfather’s Discharge letter from World War I so I thought I would transcribe it here.  The original is in pretty rough shape.

HEADQUARTERS

BASE SECTION NO. 3, S.O.S. AMERICAN E.F.

LONDON, ENGLAND

Special Orders

No. 117

Extract

May 17, 1919

    7. Pursuant to authority contained in letter from Hq., S.O.S., dated April 14, 1919, Sgt. David S. Wright, 1911095, Co L, 328th Inf., and Sgt. Joseph A. McQuillan, 2255918, Hqrs. Det. 91st Division, are hereby transferred as of their present grade to the 1st Replacement Depot, St. Aignan, France, and will be sent to report to the Commanding Officer, American Discharge Camp, Slough for transfer by first available government transportation to the United States for immediate discharge.

    Upon arrival in the United States, these men will report to the Commanding General, Port of Debarkation, for further orders.

    Compliance with this order after arrival in the United States is subject to such delays as may be imposed by the Authorities at the Port of Debarkation, in accordance with orders from the War Department relative to debarkation, disinfection, quarantine and demobilization.

    The Transportation and the Quartermaster Corps the necessary subsistence.

    Section 1, G.O. 188, G.H.Q. and Section 1, G.H.Q. 28, c.s. Will be complied with.

    The travel enjoined is necessary for the public service.

    Section 1, G.O. 188, G.H.Q., 1918, and section 1, G.O. 8, G.H.Q., C.S. will be complied with.

O.R.O.

St. Aigman

Stats.

Slough.

By command of MAJOR GENERAL BIDDLE

OFFICIAL:

OCTAVE De CARRE

Major C.A.C.

Adjutant

J. PIERCE

Lieut. -Colonel C.A.C.

Chief of Staff

Honoring the family veterans on Veterans Day

It's been a while since I posted, but I wanted to honor some of the family veterans on Veterans Day.

• My father, Robert Ervin Putnam(1927-2011). He lied about his age and joined the Navy at the end of WWII.  He was planning on being a Navy pilot, but was disqualified because of having had teeth pulled and was transferred to the Navy Reserves.

Robert Ervin Putnam

• My Father-in Law, John Francis Carey, member of the Marine Corp. 
• My Uncle, Richard Putnam, member of the Marine Corp

World War II

• My Aunt, Catherine Sanders Wright(1920-2017).  She was a Code Breaker for the Navy.
• My Uncle, David Joy Wright(1922-1991). He spent much of the war in a German Prisoner of War camp.  He was enlisted in the Army from August 18th, 1943-October 10th, 1945.
• My Uncle, Charles Merrick Smith(1924-2008), Served in Italy.  He was Enlisted in the Army from March 2nd, 1943-January 28th, 1946.
• My Uncle, George Wright, served at the end of World War II.

Catherine Sanders Wright

World War I

• My Grandfather, Ervin Earl Putnam(1893-1988). He was a corporal in the Army Medical Services stationed in France.
• My Grandfather, David Sanders Wright(1887-1967).  He was stationed in England.
• My Great Uncle, Frank Houlton Putnam(1892-1930), He crossed the border into Canada and joined the war before the U.S. did.

Ervin Earl Putnam

David Sanders Wright

Civil War

• My Second Great Grandfather, Edward B. Smith(1815-1863). He was a private in Company E of the 27th Massachusetts Infantry.  Certain documents have him listed as a spy.
• My Second Great Grandfather, John McCann(1831-1910), He was a wagoner in Company B of the 37th Massachusetts Infantry.
• My Second Great Grandfather, Franklin Adelburt Smith(1842-1864), Sargent in Company C of the 19th Pennsylvania Calvary. 
• My Third Great Uncle, Charles Campionette Putnam(1843-1863). He was the guidon bearer of Company E of the 1st Maine Calvert.
• A distant cousin, David Perkins Putnam, Captain in the 92nd Ohio Infantry.

I haven't done much research on the following, but want to post what I know.

War of 1812

• My Third Great Grandfather, Simeon Reed(1789-1853), Drummer

Revolutionary War (have not been vetted yet, and their may be more)

• My Fifth Great Grandfather, Amos Wormwood(1759-1809)
• My Fifth Great Grandfather, Samuel Patterson(1754-1833)
• My Forth Great Grandfather, Elijah Bradbury(1757-1795)
• My Fifth Great Grandfather, John Lane III(1734-1822)
•  My Fifth Great Grandfather, Benjamin Heald(1764-1841)
• My Sixth Great Grandfather, Israel Heald(1736-1815)
• My Sixth Great Grandfather, Benjamin Spaulding(1738-1811)
• My Fifth Great Grandfather, James Hersey(1758-1846)
• My Sixth Great Grandfather, Samuel Poole(1736-1830)
• My Fourth Great Grandfather, Ezra Clark(1744-1805)
• My Fourth Great Grandfather, Benjamin Reed(1746-1808)
• My Fifth Great Grandfather, Joseph Sanderson(1741-1776)
• My Fifth Great Grandfather, Nathan Hall(1715-1807)
• My Fifth Great Grandfather, Timothy Wheeler(1722-1795) 

It's Armistice Day

 

One hundred years ago today (well, actually last night my time) the Armistice was signed that ended World War I. Both my Grandfathers took part in World War I.  David Sanders Wright spent the war in England, and I don't know much about his time there.  At some point, I'll request his records to see if I can piece things together.  Ervin Earl Putnam was in the Army Medical Services as an X-Ray technician. My brother and I have spent time transcribing his diary of his time in France. 

I took a bit of time today and walked over to a memorial to the Army Medical Service that is located on the old Fitzsimmon's Army Hospital.

Frank Houlton Putnam's Certificate of Service in the Great War

I also found this among Dad's papers and thought I would include it with the other info I have on Frank Houlton Putnam.

Obituary for Frank Houlton Putnam

Frank Houlton Putnam was born on March 29th, 1892, in Houlton, Maine, the son of Amos Putnam of Houlton and COra Carpenter Putnam of Madawaska, Maine.  He attended the public schools in HOulton and Burdet's Business College in Boston, Mass. In 1915 FHP enlisted in the 55th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force and served in France till November 1917. He participated in the 3rd battle of Ypres, the Somme (wounded), Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Lens and Passchendaele Ridge (seriously wounded). He was invalided out of service on Feb. 6, 1919 and married Madge Weldon, a British nurse whom he met in hospital in London, in August 1919. They had five children, Joyce (d. age 6), Amos Weldon (b. 1922), Kathleen (b. 1924) and Joan (b. 1925) and Madge (d. age 2 days). From 1921 till his death in Jan., 1930, FHP served as Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue in Houlton.  Following his death, Mrs. Putnam and the three surviving children returned to Great Britain. FHP's standing in the community is best illustrated by the huge attendance at his military funeral.  This was attended also by The Headquarters Battery, 151 Field Artillery, the New Brunswick Post of the British Legion and the Briggs Post of the American Legion.

Newspaper article on the funeral of Frank Houlton Putnam, my Great Uncle

In my father's papers i found a copy of a newspaper article on the funeral of my Great Uncle, Frank Houlton Putnam from February 11th or 17th, 1930.  So I thought I would transcribe it here.  There is a nice picture associated with it, but it lost so much quality as a photocopy, I didn't try and capture it. Toward the end of the document, some of the words have been cut off.  I put in what I could figure out.

Houlton Mourns Passing of Frank Houlton Putnam --- A World War Hero

Dies At His Home After A Short Illness---Brilliant War Service With Canadian Forces---Military Funeral

The streets lined with flags drooping at half-staff and the closing of all places of business Monday afternoon showed the profound respect and deep affection with which the people of Houlton regarded the late Frank Houlton Putnam, whose death after a brief illness of ten days saddened the whole community last Saturday morning.

Frank Houlton Putnam, a member of one of the oldest families and descended from nearly all of the pioneer settlers of this community was the son of Amos and Cora (Carpenter) Putnam. He was a man well liked, general to a fault, a lover of family and the great out-of-doors, a reader and a friend to everyone, doing his work well.  He was born at Houlton, March 29th, 1892. He attended the public schools and later took a course in accounting at Burdett's business college in Boston.  In early childhood he showed those qualities of courage and perseverance which he later displayed in such a marked degree during the World War.  Many will remember his gallantry when a young boy in recovering the body of Harry Berry from Nickerson Lake. After repeated diving he reached the body and brought it to the surface at great risk to his own life when many older men had failed.

Mr. Putnam was one of those Americans who felt the call of duty before this county declared war and enlisted in the 55th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces in 1915, with whom he took part in the third battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme, where he received a shrapnel wound in the face while bring up food to comrades isolated in an advanced position. After his recovery he participated in the battles of Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Lens.  When the United States declared war Mr. Putnam applied for transfer to the American Army, but before the formalities necessary were completed he was seriously wounded while advancing in the attack on Passchendaele Ridge in November 1917, from which time he was confined to various hospitals until finally invalided out of service on February 6, 1919. His outstanding war records was forcibly brought to mind by a large delegation from the Woodstock, N.B. Post of the British Legion who, under the command of Colonel Bull, Mr. Putnam's former battalion commander, drove twelve miles through intense cold to attend his funeral.

Prayers were held at Mr. Putnam's home at one o'clock for his immediate family who then, attended by the various military organizations assembled to pay honor to his memory, went to the Church of the Good Shepherd where the great masses of flowers that filled the sanctuary and chancel were evidence of the regard not only of those present but of the great number who were unable to find standing room in the church. The service of the Church of England was conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Mr. Jenkins, after which, escorted by Headquarters Battery, 152 Field Artillery, the massed colors of the Grand Army of the Republic, the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and the British Legion, followed by a large detachment from Woodstock, N.B. Post of the British Legion, the Briggs Post of the American Legion and the last surviving members of Addison P. Russell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and Houlton Lodge of Elks.  The casket, bearing his belt and helmet and draped with the British battle flag under which he so gallantly fought and followed by his family and friends was borne through the silent flag-hung streets to Evergreen Cemetery. There after the commitment service of the Church of England was read his comrades of the British Legion fired the three volleys and the bugler sounded Last Post. 

In August 1919, Mr. Putnam was married to Miss Madge Weldon, formerly a nurse at St. George's Hospital, London. Five children were born to this union, Joyce who died at age six years, Amos Weldon, age eight years, Kathleen, age six years, Joan, age five years and Madge who lived but two days.  Besides his widow and children he leaves his parents and one brother, Ervin E. Putnam, connected with the U.S. Veterans Hospital at Northampton, Mass.; three sisters, Margaret Putnam Greaves of Sherman Mills, Harriet Putnam Crates of Houlton, and Ruth Putnam Sleeper of Worcester, Mass.

Since 1921 Mr. Putnam has served as Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue with headquarters in Houlton. He was a member of Monument Lodge No. 96, F.&A. M.; Houlton Lodge 835 Bonevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of Chester L. Briggs Post 47 the American Legion.

Rev. David Jenkins gave an address on the life of the  _____
___ at the request of his wife read the well known lines of Kipplings:

E'en as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth,
In Simpleness and gentleness and honor and clean mirth.

His wife was unable to be present being sick with the same illness which had proven fatel to her husband.

At the request of his friend, Capt. Murray Cushing Dormell of H.M. Royal Horse and Field Artillery "the Read" by Lord Dunsany was read by Dr. E.C. Barton, representing the American Legion. This being the highest tribute to be paid by English officers.