Category Archives: Graveside Honors

During the Memorial Day weekend, supporters from Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range traveled to Navassa to find some Brunswick County WWI veteran gravesites that were not yet located.

Their main hope was locating Manning Hall’s gravesite, a man from Navassa who gave his life during service. Manning Hall died while training at Camp Grant in Illinois. No death certificate for him could be found. But NC death certificates from members of his family placed their burials at Mount Calvary Cemetery. It seemed possible that he was buried with his family.

Mount Calvary Cemetery:
The cemetery was not marked and many of the headstones were unreadable. But there were signs it was still cherished and visited by some.

Manning Hall‘s headstone was spotted immediately. It is not a military headstone but mentions his service. It includes the statement “Erected by his wife Lillie Hall.” They had been married only six months when he died – three of those apart while he served his country.

MANNING HALL
Of Company 161 Depot Brigade
Born at Navassa, NC
Dec. 3, 1889 Died July 11, 1918
Erected by his wife Lillie Hall

Sadly, the gravesites of his family members were not found.

Manning Hall and his family will be featured in a World War I Profile, as will all of the fallen and wounded Brunswick County WWI soldiers. His story can now include his final resting place.

Several other Brunswick County WWI veteran headstones were found and their pictures were also added to findagrave. They include: Joseph Kinston, Mike Mosley, and Johnnie Willis.

Tony Lonnie Waddell’s gravesite was not found. His death certificate indicated he was to be buried in this cemetery.

Next stop was the Mears Cemetery less than a mile away. The Brunswick County GIS listing shows “Meares” but the sign posted at the cemetery shows “Mears.”

The cemetery, along a quiet road, seemed a peaceful resting place.

These Brunswick County WWI veteran headstones were found and their pictures were also added to findagrave: Harry Andrews, and Duncan Merrick. Duncan Merrick’s headstone is leaning as shown.

James Hayes’ gravesite was not found. The application for military headstone showed his headstone was intended for this cemetery.

Finding these headstones and documenting them here and in the planned book, as well as in findagrave is important. It allows their entire story from beginning to end to be told and not forgotten.

If you are interested in assisting with the discovery of gravesites, please read this post: Memorial Day 2018: Graveside Honors for more information.

DAR Regent Carol Jutte recently visited Southern Nevada Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City, Nevada, to honor World War I veteran John Harold Wagner at his graveside.

John Harold Wagner was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He was a Machinists Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer, serving in the Navy during World War I from June 5, 1918 – February 27, 1919.

The Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range are encouraging donors and supporters to honor Brunswick County WWI veterans by submitting photos of themselves at the gravesides. Use the Cemeteries list to locate gravesites for Brunswick County WWI veterans.

Gwen Causey is pictured here honoring her grandfather, Sergeant Henry Lindon Clemmons, at his graveside in Prospect Cemetery, Supply, Brunswick County, NC.

Sgt Henry Clemmons’ WWI Profile Post may be read here.

Sergeant Clemmons has been honored with a donation by his grandchildren Gwen Causey, Stewart Clemmons, Elaine Wright, Julie Robinson, and Edwina Miras.

The Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range are encouraging donors and supporters to honor Brunswick County WWI veterans by submitting photos of themselves at the gravesides. Use the Cemeteries list to locate gravesites for Brunswick County WWI veterans.