Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range

NC WWI Service Cards

Horace Dale Glover was living in Southport, NC, when he enlisted in the US Navy at the Recruiting Station in Wilmington, NC, on November 20, 1917. On February 4, 1918, he was appointed officer, serving until December 19, 1919.

He also served in World War II as a Merchant Marine.

This photo is from his Application for Seaman’s Certificate of American Citizenship, August 1921. [Source: Ancestry]

His current address was Southport, NC, but the application was entered from New Orleans for a position as 3rd Mate on the SS Maiden Creek.

Horace Dale Glover died suddenly of a heart attack in 1948. His obituary is shown below. The location of his gravesite in New Orleans is unknown. No headstone application for military veterans was found.

Source: Fort Lauderdale News, 7 May 1948, p.12
Capt, H.D. Glover Dies Suddenly In New Orleans
Memorial services were to be held this afternoon in All Saints Episcopal church for Horace D. Glover, 49, 1117 NE Second st,. a Merchant Marine captain who was found dead Thursday by a maid in a New Orleans hotel. Burial will be in New Orlanes.

Capt. Glover’s wife, Mrs. Edith Price Glover who returned here a week ago after visiting him for two weeks in New Orleans, was notified that Dr. Philip Montelepre, assistant Orleans parish coroner, said Capt. Glover had been dead about two days when the body was found. Death was due to a heart attack.

Mrs. Glover said her husband telephoned her Tuesday night shortly after returning to New Orleans from Beaumont, Tex., where he had sailed a decommissioned ship. Death probably occurred soon afterward.

After a vacation, extended by illness, Capt. Glover left here March 6 for New Orleans to captain U.S. maritime commission ships stripped at New Orleans and sailed to Texas ports where they were laid up.

Capt. Glover served as a naval officer in World War I and in the Merchant Marine in World War II. He had been a merchant ship captain for 20 years.

Surviving besides his wife are a son, Dale, 12, a pupil at East Side school and a daughter, Aletta, 16, who attends Ft. Lauderdale high school. The family moved here six years ago.

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Horace Dale Glover or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County Worl

NC WWI Service Card
Edward Vance Gore was ordered to report for duty on May 27, 1918, in Southport, NC. He trained with the Field Artillery Replacement Draft at Camp Jackson, SC. Pvt Gore was honorably discharged on December 12, 1918.

This photo can be found in Findagrave. It appears to be a photo of him in his uniform during his service.

Edward Vance Gore passed away in 1966 at age 73. He was laid to rest at Pierce Family Cemetery, in Ocean Isle Beach. No military honors are shown.

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Edward Vance Gore or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

Christopher Roger Morse and two brothers who also served in WWI, Thomas Aubrey Morse and James Harris Morse, were born in Southport, NC. Thomas Aubrey Morse has his own WWI Snapshot.

NC WWI Service Card
Christopher Roger Morse enlisted in the NC National Guard on July 9, 1917, soon after the US declared war on Germany. He served in the US Army Coast Artillery Corps at Fort Caswell, serving overseas from November 2, 1918 to January 8, 1919. Sgt Morse was honorably discharged on January 19, 1919.

This photo can be found in Findagrave. According to the description, Christopher “Racky” is on the left; one of his brothers, Neil, is on the right; and his father is bottom center.

Christopher Roger Morse passed away in 1983, at age 95. He, along with one of his brothers, Thomas Aubrey Morse, are some of the longest living Brunswick County WWI veterans.

He is buried at Oakdale Cemetery, in Wilmington, NC. A military flat marker is located at his grave site.

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Christopher Roger Morse or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

Thomas Aubrey Morse founded the YMCA in Florida. He is one of the longest living Brunswick County WWI veterans, living for over 100 years. Brothers Christopher Roger Morse and James Harris Morse also served in WWI.

Thomas Aubrey Morse and two brothers who also served in WWI, Christopher Roger Morse and James Harris Morse, were born in Southport, NC. A photo is available for Christopher Roger Morse, who will be featured in his own WWI Snapshot next week.

NC WWI Service Card
Thomas, who went by the name Aubrey, was ordered to report for duty on August 5, 1918. Corporal Morse served with the Medical Department at Fort Ontario, NY, until honorably discharged on August 23, 1919.

This photograph was found on page 67 in the 1921 Trinity College (now Duke University) yearbook when Aubrey was a senior, and was copied into his Findagrave entry. The following accompanied the photo.

“Morse, although short physically, is pretty long mentally. He is best known by the fact that he has stood between the faculty and students during his Senior year as a member of the Student Life Committee. As far back as we can remember, he has gone into College activities with every ounce he could spare, and very often he has been heard from. Kaiser Bill evidently thought that Morse was coming because he vacated, and this action was probably a wise one. Shorty always has a smile for all of his friends, and if he has any enemies, we have never heard of them. It was chiefly because of Shorty’s far-reaching influence that David Bispham honored Trinity with a concert. He has been a valuable assistant to Cap Card in his physical exercise. With such a good start, the question which arises is, Where will he stop?”

Aubrey was one of the longest living Brunswick County WWI veterans, passing away at age 100 in 1996. His obituary listed his accomplishments.

Founder of local YMCA Aubrey Morse dies at 100
He headed up YMCA programs in Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee before starting one in Tallahassee.

A small man who did big things for Tallahassee, T. Aubrey Morse, has died.

Morse founded the Tallahassee YMCA in 1952. He later spent 17 years (1966-1983) as the cashier of Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. His wife, Cora Morse, was an ardent preservationist who nearly single-handedly saved the old Union Bank building from destruction in 1971. Cora Morse died in 1994.

T. Aubrey Morse died Wednesday at the extended care facility of Tallahassee Memorial Regional Center, where he had been hospitalized for two weeks. Morse, who suffered deafness, diabetes, and a broken hip in his final years, celebrated his 100th birthday on March 11, receiving congratulations from U.S. Sen. Bob Graham and Florida Gov. Lawton Chiles.

Morse stood only 5-foot-4, and he carried a wooden box to stand on when making speeches or teaching Sunday school at Trinity United Methodist Church. But in nine years of erecting the framework of an agency that now serves 10,000 area residents a year, he created a big legacy.

“Aubrey was small in stature, but he walked tall among men,” said Tom Humphress, retired president of Barnett Bank, who headed the citizens group that petitioned the YMCA for a chapter in 1952. “Many, many young people got their best training, moral- and spiritual-wise, from Aubrey.”

Thomas Aubrey Morse, who went by his middle name, was born March 11, 1896, in Southport, N.C. He earned a degree in Christian leadership and training from Trinity College, which later became Duke University.

A World War I veteran, Morse joined the Young Men’s Christian Association after graduation, and headed up YMCA programs in Lexington, Ky., Norfolk, Va., and Jackson, Tenn., before Tallahassee.

The funeral will be today at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. The family will receive visitors immediately after the service in the church parlor.

Morse is survived by three sons, T. Aubrey Morse Jr. of Marietta, Ga., Robert G. Morse of Tallahassee, and William S. Morse of Franklin, N.C.; and three grandchildren.

Ensley, Gerald. “Founder of local YMCA Aubrey Morse dies at 100” Tallahassee Democrat (Tallahassee, FL), 27 July 1996, p. 17

Thomas Aubrey Morse was laid to rest in Tallahassee, FL. Along with a headstone, this military flat marker is located at his grave site.

Source: Findagrave

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor Thomas Aubrey Morse or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

At the Veterans Day Commemoration last month, special guests included the family of Robert Bollie Stanley, Brunswick County’s only known WWI POW. Pvt Stanley’s sacrifice was recognized earlier in the year during the Dedication of a military style marker at his gravesite.

During the Roll Call, the Stanley family was surprised to hear their other grandfather’s name recited: Pvt James Hill. This was not planned, but was a memorable moment for everyone.

“Private James Hill was my father’s father who served in the war stateside. We heard his name on the last Roll Call!”

~Deborah Bolin, granddaughter of Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley
and Pvt James Hill

Historic documents and details were quickly collected and shared with the family. Deborah was able to locate a photograph of James Hill to include in this WWI Snapshot.

NC WWI Service Card
James Hill was born in July 1895, in Shallotte, NC.

He was ordered to report to duty on August 22, 1918, and was sent to Camp Greene in Charlotte, NC. In September, he began serving in the Supply Company of the 810th Pioneer Infantry, which had been formed that month in Camp Greene. After the Armistice, there was no need for overseas work. The 810th was demobilized in December. Pvt Hill was honorably discharged on December 17, 1918.

This table lists the 13 WWI veterans from Brunswick County who have been identified as serving in the 810th Pioneer Infantry. The table is also located on the WWI Army/Marine Division Rosters webpage.

810th Pioneer Infantry: Camp Greene, NC

810th Pioneer Infantry: September 1918 – December 1918

James Hill passed away on January 11, 1969, at age 73. He was laid to rest in Mulberry Cemetery in Shallotte, joining his wife, Earler Hill (1905-1960).

A military headstone was requested and placed there.
Source of headstone photo: Findagrave

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor James Hill or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

William Bellamy St. George served in both WWI and WWII. His son also served in the US Navy, achieving the rank of Vice Admiral.

NC WWI Service Cards

William Bellamy St. George enlisted in the US Navy on May 26, 1917. He served as a Machinist Mate, 1st and 2nd Class, until he was appointed officer on October 4, 1918. He was discharged on January 29, 1921.

He returned to Southport, but eventually made his home in Annapolis, MD. His obituary, shown below, describes his WWII service.

His son, William Ross St. George, followed his father into service and had a very distinguished career. His biography is also shown below.

William Bellamy St. George passed away on June 18, 1961. He was buried in Annapolis, MD. No military honors are shown. His obituary, shown below, was added to findagrave.

Source: Annapolis Capital, 22 June 1961, p.5
William Bellamy St. George
Funeral services for William Bellamy St. George, 65, were held last night from the Taylor Funeral Chapel, 147 Duke of Gloucester St.

The services were conducted by the Rev. William E. First, of Calvary Methodist Church. Burial was in the Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery.

The pallbearers were: Dr. Joseph G. Shevenell, Brendan O’Dwyer, Jerome A. Clark, Charles A. Santore, J. Stuart Whehon, and Nicholas J. Fotes.

Mr. St. George, who lived at 200 King George St., died Sunday at the Anne Arundel General Hospital, after a short illness. The son of the late William St. George and Mrs. Isabelle Wescott St. George, he was born in Southport, N.C.

He was a real estate broker and a member of the Pythagorus Lodge No. 349, A.F. and A.M. of Southport; a member of the board of directors of the Sixth District Democratic Club and the Eastport Democratic Club. During World War I he served as an ensign in the Navy and in World War II was captain of an Army transport in the Alaskan and Aleutian area. He was also a former member of the Cape Fear Pilot Association of Southport, N.C.

Mr. St. George is survived by his wife, Mrs. Ila R. St. George; a daughter, Mrs. H. Nelson Upthegrove, of Bernardsville, N.J.; a son, Lt. Comdr. William St. George, USN, of Newport, R.I.; three sisters, Mrs. William H. Stone and Mrs. John E. Vereen, both of Little River, N.C. and Mrs. Paul M. Snell, of Wilmington, N.C. and five grandchildren.

Source of his son’s biography: US Navy biography
Vice Admiral William St. George
Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (July 1976 – May 1979)

William Ross St. George hailed from native of Southport, N.C. While enrolled at the University of Washington, he received a presidential appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated in 1946 and went on to command the destroyer escort Van Voorhis from 1961 to 1962, the destroyer Richard E. Byrd from 1964 to 1965 and the guided missile cruiser Josephus Daniels in 1969 and 1970.

William St. George performed postgraduate work in law at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. where he graduated with distinction in 1953. From 1971 to 1973, St. George served as principal adviser to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on the National Strategic Objectives Plan. VADM William St. George served as Commander Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet from July 1976 to May 1979. He retired from the Navy as a Vice Admiral in 1979 after 38 years of service.

During his military career, he received a Distinguished Service Medal, a Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star.

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor William Bellamy St. George or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

William Thompson White’s great-granddaughter made an exciting find while cleaning out the barn behind his former home.

NC WWI Service Card
William Thompson White, or “Son” was previously introduced in a WWI Profile as one of the first two men from Brunswick County sent to France.

Recently, his great-granddaughter, Kelly Prestipino, contacted the Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range to share some fascinating news.

“Son was my great-grandfather and I grew up in his house. Kenneth Welch White was my grandfather and Kenneth Dale White was my dad. After my dad passed away, I cleaned out the barn behind the house and found a really old trunk. These were in it.” ~Kelly

Wow, what an amazing story!

The identification tags (“dog tags”) have his Army serial number, which matches his NC WWI Service Card. They also indicate his rank (Pvt – although he would ultimately hold the rank of Corporal), Division (1 Div), and company (Co. B M.S.T: Company B, Motor Supply Train).

The medal is the WWI Victory Medal, and each clasp identifies a battle he participated in.

Recall from Corp White’s WWI Profile that the First Division (“The Big Red One”) was the first to arrive in France and the first in battle. The Somme Defensive [sawm] clasp on his medal shows his participation. This is followed by Aisne-Marne [eyn-marn], St. Mihiel [san-mee-yel], Meuse-Argonne [myooz-ar-gawn], and the Defensive Sector.

Previously, Edward David Redwine and Doris F. Redwine, the family of Brunswick County WWI veteran Pvt David Bertram Frink, sent photos of Pvt Frink’s medals. They can be viewed on this post.

Corporal “Son” White should have also received the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal as shown on Pvt Frink’s post.

Another great find is this photo of Corporal White. This will be added to his WWI Profile, which previously included a very grainy newspaper photo.

Kelly also sent a copy of this photo of Son. As he served in the Motor Supply Train, it is especially exciting to have a photo of him behind the wheel of what must be a Liberty Truck.

The Liberty Truck was designed soon after the US entered WWI. Over 9,000 were produced and sent to France. Assembly contracts were awarded to 15 companies located from New York to Illinois.

There are several surviving trucks in existence today, including this restored one in the National Museum of the USAF in Dayton, OH.

Thank you, Kelly, for sending photos of these priceless artifacts!

Anyone having photos of their ancestor’s WWI medals, artifacts, ancestor in uniform, or anything else of interest, please send them and we will post them on the website.

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor William Thompson White or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran

Several years after WWI, John Stevenson Moses was killed by gas leaking from a fixture at his residence.

NC WWI Service Card
John Stevenson Moses was born on September 29, 1899, in Morganton, NC.

On January 17, 1918, when John was 18, he enlisted at Fort Caswell. He served until December 24, 1918.

At age 25, John was killed in a tragic accident. A leaky gas fixture in his rooming house caused his death. The following accounts were published in The Washington Post.

Leaky Gas Fixtures Criticized by Coroner
Leaky gas fixtures in hotels and lodging houses, said to have caused the death of John Moses, 35 [25] years old, of Morgantown N.C., yesterday, will probably be condemned at the inquest to be held tomorrow morning, Coroner Nevitt said yesterday.

The defective gas fixture has been removed by police and will be produced as evidence at the inquest. Dr. Nevitt criticized hotel proprietors who risk the lives of their guests. The law requires gas jets to be of a safe pattern, but Coroner Nevitt wants additional law to have them regularly inspected.
Source: The Washington Post, 15 Dec 1924, p2.

More Gas-Fixture Inspectors Urged
Recommendation of the coroner’s jury that all gas fixtures in rooming houses be regularly inspected by the District may result in a request for additional inspectors, District officials said yesterday. The jury’s recommendation was made as a result of the accidental death from illuminating gas of John Moses, of Morgantown, N.C., in a room at 207 Pennsylvania avenue northwest. The gas fixture in the room was defective, although Carl Smith, the dead man’s roommate, testified the gas had been blown out.

Inspection of gas fixtures is made now, Plumbing Inspector McGonegal said yesterday.
Source: The Washington Post, 18 Dec 1924, p24.

John Stevenson Moses’ death likely saved many lives. His gravesite has not been located.

To view this or an earlier profile or snapshot at any time, click on the veteran’s name on the WWI Brunswick County Veteran list, which is also accessible by the blue button on the top right of the webpage.

If you would like to help us honor John Stevenson Moses or another Brunswick County WWI veteran, please use the following links:

Click here for the announcement:
Announcement: Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran
Click here for directions to donate and honor a veteran:
How to Honor a Brunswick County World War I Veteran