After the War
Even after the armistice, it took time to organize, transport, and demobilize all the soldiers. Conditions as they awaited transport were not always healthy. Unfortunately, Acton lost one of its own to disease as he waited to be shipped back.
For those who survived, there were public celebrations and private reintegration. Many of the local veterans joined the newly-formed Acton branch of the American Legion. They were instrumental in making sure that those who served and those who were lost were remembered.
For those who survived, there were public celebrations and private reintegration. Many of the local veterans joined the newly-formed Acton branch of the American Legion. They were instrumental in making sure that those who served and those who were lost were remembered.
Coming Home
Final Review of the 26th Yankee Division, Camp Devens, April 1919
Program, Yankee Division Homecoming
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Application for Acton Post of American Legion
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Remembering Those Who Served
Acton erected a monument to those who served in World War 1, although inevitably there were some who lived in Acton at some point but were not listed. See more information about the monument here.
Remembering Those Who Were Lost
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Quimby Square
Howard Lewis Quimby was born in Boscawen, NH in 1892 and moved to South Acton in 1897. He attended the South Acton school until he was sent with the other local students to Concord for high school. He attended Brown University, graduating with a degree in civil engineering in 1915. He worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in Pittsburgh and Dennison, Ohio. He had been rejected twice because of bad health but he was finally allowed to enlist in March, 1918 in the 33rd Engineering Corps at Camp Devens. He was reassigned to Battery A, 304th Field Artillery, 77th Division and went overseas right away. Howard Quimby took part in the following campaigns without receiving a wound; Vosges Front, Vesle-Aisne, Argonne, and Argonne-Meuse. He died, still in France, on March 11, 1919 of illness while waiting for orders to return to the United States. He was buried in the Oise-Aisne American cemetery. At the town meeting held Marsh 12, 1923, the townspeople of Acton voted to change the name of Exchange Square in South Acton to Howard L. Quimby Square. |
Howard L. Quimby, Brown University Class of 1915
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Dedication of Qumiby Square, South Acton
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Edwards Square
Sidney Edwards' parents moved back to Acton in 1917. In 1924, the town voted to rename the “Square” in West Acton in his memory, with the dedication on Memorial Day of that year. Unfortunately, we have no photographs of that event or of Sidney himself. If anyone can supply pictures or scans, we would be grateful. For more information, see our blog post about his life and information about the memorial plaque. |
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Keeping the Memories Alive
Acton citizens have continued the tradition of honoring the service of World War 1 and other veterans.
Color Guard at Sidney Edwards Plaque, Memorial Day 1940
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Lowell Cram and Theron Lowden on left, WW1 Veterans marching in Memorial Day Parade
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World War 1 Exhibit at the Hosmer House Museum, Nov. 2018
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