Historian shares letters from two WWI soldiers from Orleans County
Charles W. Wogatzke was first casualty from Kendall; Edward H. Barron of Holley was wounded and had arm amputated
Marines at the Battle of Belleau Wood, France, 1918, in this artwork created by Georges Scott. This illustration “American Marines in Belleau Wood (1918)” was originally published in the French Magazine “Illustrations.”
By Catherine Cooper, Orleans County Historian
“Illuminating Orleans” – Volume 5, No. 19
On Memorial Day, we pause to mourn those who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. So many young men, their stories forgotten.
Here are the World War I stories of two young Orleans County men: Edward H. Barron of Holley and Charles Wogatzke of Kendall.
Their letters provide a glimpse into their characters as they adjust to the cruel reality of war with humor and courage.
HOLLEY MAN RETURNS HOME
Edward H. Barron Loses Arm in France and Will Be Discharged
HOLLEY, July 26 – Mrs. Eugene Weirs of this place is in receipt of two letters regarding her son Edward H. Barron, who was reported seriously injured in the casualty list in the early part of June
One of the letters is from the Hospital and Home Service, Paris, in which it is stated that his arm was so badly injured, it had to be amputated. The other letter is written for Private Barron by the mother of one of the nurses in the hospital in Paris:
Dear Mother: Just a few lines to let you know that I am improving nicely and hope to be out of bed soon. I took a walk this morning in a rolling chair. My legs are all right, but about my wounds, I am sorry to tell you that they were obliged to take off my right arm which means discharge from service. So, you see that I shall be home soon. Everything has a good side. If I had had an ordinary wound, I should have had to remain whereas without my arm I shall only be good to come back to you.
I tried to write to you with my left hand but am afraid that you would not have been able to read it. The lady who is writing this letter is the mother of one of my nurses; both Parisian ladies who lived in New York a long time.
Edward H. Barron enlisted on May 4, 1917. He served in the Marine Corps and was wounded in France at the Battle of Belleau Wood in June, 1918. He was discharged on May 8, 1919.
Later employed as a clerk at the Veterans Hospital in Buffalo, he was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, Dr. Martin F. Nolan Chapter 50 of North Tonawanda. He died in 1954 at the age of 55.
KENDALL BOY WRITES OF EXPERIENCES IN THE TRENCHES
Excerpts from a letter written by Charles Wogatzke of Kendall:
Dear Friends:
Saturday, July 20, 1918
Pvt. Charles W. Wogatzke of Kendall
…. We are back from the trenches for ten days rest and to get cleaned up again. We needed it very bad for the cooties were so thick. This seems to be a great country for rats and mice: the trenches are full of them……It is mostly barbed wire entanglements through here and it looks pretty rough. The ground is full of shell holes.
…. Well, how did you spend the Fourth out there? We spent ours in the trenches. Fritz sent over all kinds of fireworks for us, some lively night, believe me, but we played fair with him and sent over just as many to him. We have two friends, that is our rifle and gas mask, which we have to carry with us all the time. I remember one night; we had just laid down and fell to sleep when the guard hollers “Gas” and you had ought to see us get those masks on! For it doesn’t take but a very little to put a man out of business.
I am a rifleman and bayonet fighter; that’s my business now. How would you like that job?
My watch runs fine and I am very glad that you got that kind instead of a wrist watch. The boys have most all got wrist watches and most of them have broken them, and another thing, they make a very good target for a sniper for you can see them for a good ways at night.
Well, I guess I have told you all the news, and as it is getting late will have to stop writing at this time…..
From your Friend,
Charles Wogatzke
This scrapbook was donated to the Orleans County Department of History.
Charles Wogatzke was the Town of Kendall’s first casualty of World War I. Born in Dec. 1890, he was the son of Albert H. and Martha A. Wogatzke who had immigrated from Germany in 1887.
According to enlistment records, Charles was of medium build with brown hair and blue eyes. He was employed as a laborer with the New York Central Railroad. Drafted in Albion on February 25, 1918, he was assigned to the 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Division and was sent overseas on April 16, 1918. He was killed in action on August 12, 1918, and is buried in the Oisne-Aisne American Cemetery in Picardie, France.
These letters were published in the Holley Standard newspaper and collected in a scrapbook, later donated to the Orleans County Dept. of History collection.
