Society Honors Veterans of World War I with book “World War I and Halifax County, Virginia—Lest We Forget!
A newly published book about soldiers from
Halifax County who served in WWI
will be available in the coming months.
World War I – known in 1918 “The Great War” - officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles signed June 28, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles, France. However, fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation, between the Allies and Germany went into effect 11th hour or of the 11th day of the 11th month; therefore, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Henry Nathaniel Snead
Henry Nathaniel Snead, son of William Henry Snead and Mary “Mollie” Agnes Holcomb Snead, was born January 3, 1892, in Crystal Hill, Halifax County. He enlisted, serving as a private in the US Army, departing Newport News, July 31, 1918 aboard the SS Re d’Italia, 16th Provisional Company, July Infantry Replacement Draft.
Snead died in France circa September 1, 1918, while serving in Company D, 163rd Infantry. His remains were returned from St. Nazaire, October 10, 1920, aboard the USS Pocahontas, carrying “Remains of Overseas Dead.” His remains arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, October 18, 1920. The fallen soldier is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Boston. Private Snead was awarded a Purple Heart and received the World War I Victory Medal.
Joseph Stebbins Lawson, included in the photo above, was the son of John James Lawson and Eliza Jasper Craddock. Lawson, was born June 29, 1895, in South Boston, Virginia and was married to Mary Elizabeth Houston Lawson. He enlisted at Fort Myers, Virginia, as a member of ROTC at Virginia Military Institute, serving as a first lieutenant, US Army, Company M, 47th Infantry, 4th Division, Regimental Headquarters.
Lawson’s division departed Hoboken, New Jersey, May 10, 1918, aboard the USS Caserta. Fourteen months later on July 27, 1919, he returned from Brest, France aboard the USS Mobile, arriving again in Hoboken, New Jersey. Lawson received a World War 1 Victory Medal and was discharged August 16, 1919, at Camp Lee.
Lawson was a charter member of American Legion Post 8 in South Boston, and served as its commander in 1944. The former WWI soldier died December 1, 1971, and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.