Bristol County, Massachusetts - Chapter 18: Military and Social, 1924

The old guard, the Grand Army of the Republic, set the pace and example for patriotic instruction for these times, and since their organization for that leading purpose, many another military-social organization has lined up, and added group after group to that particular contingent in the city. Herewith, then, is an ingathering of the story of military organizations, old and new, and of the veterans of more recent wars and of their auxiliaries - a new chapter in Fall River history.

G. A. R - As this brief story of the men of the Grand Army in Fall River is told (1923), but forty-five members remain of the five hundred that once formed the post in this city - fifteen had died, Commander Dr. John Gilbert said, from the Memorial Day of 1922 to that of 1923. Dr. Gilbert tells the story of the post as follows: Richard Borden Post No. 46, G. A. R., was first organized on January 22, 1868, when for the meeting place a hall was occupied over Stilwell's hardware store, at the corner of North Main and Central streets. As the membership increased at that time, and for a few years thereafter, removal was made to a hall over the "Daily News," at the corner of Pleasant street. In a few years it again became necessary to vacate, and new quarters were then obtained in what was then known as the Borden block, over the theatre. Thence the post moved to a hall over the McWhirr store, on South Main street. Later, that firm requiring the use of the entire property, the post was given a lease of Loomfixers' Hall, at the corner of Bedford and Ford streets. Again a lease was obtained from the Metacomet Bank for the hall over the bank, at the corner of Bedford and Rock streets. Then, the post becoming depleted in numbers, an order was introduced in the city government, which being adopted, gave the post free use of their present quarters, the building known as the Cataract engine house, at the northwest corner of Rock and Franklin streets. The superintendent of public buildings was directed to make necessary alterations and repairs. The post, which started with fourteen charter members, attained a membership of five hundred in its best days. The commanders in their order have been: Frank McGraw, Edward T. Marvel, John Davol, Sr., John M. Deane, Dr. John H. Abbott, Dr. Amos M. Jackson, John Fleet, Marcus M. G. Swift, Dr. John Gilbert, Hugh McGraw, Albert S. Palmer, Robert Fielden, Joseph Bowers, David H. Dyer, Richard Fleet, Dr. John Gilbert. On Monday, January 22, 1923, the post observed the fiftieth anniversary of its organization. Richard P. Borden, for whose grandfather the post was named, presided, and speakers were Mayor Talbot, Commander Dr. John Gilbert, Rev. Everett C. Herrick, Velona W. Haughwout, Rev. Dr. William J. Martin; Commander Ernest Fantom, of Frank Allen Wilcox Post, No. 126, American Legion; Commander Thomas C. Kelleher, of the Spanish War Veterans; and Commander Herbert Rivers, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The former president of Woman's Relief Corps No. 106, Mary E. Hyde, attorney-at-law, recounts the story of that corps as follows: The prime mover for the organization of a corps in connection with Borden Post, No. 46, was Comrade Henry Braily, who talked the matter up among the post members. He, together with Dr. Amos M. Jackson and John M. Deane, called a meeting of those interested and crganized the corps on May 21, 1888, when sixty-three women signed the charter roll, and Mrs. Isabella M. Braily was elected the first president. The name is the Richard Borden Woman's Relief Corps, No. 106. The following is a complete list of presidents up to the present time: Isabella M. Braily, Mary G. Deane, Mary A. Ingraham, Sarah J. Dailey, Louisa Durfee, Lenna G. Lennan, Helen J. Clark, Kate J. Gifford, Louisa F. Connelly, Ada A. Booth, Frances E. Jillson, Laura V. Booth, Kate J. Gifford, Mary E. Hyde, Louise J. Kirby, Jeanette M. Nickerson, Julia Burk, Carrie B. Wareham, Margaret J. Whalley, Margaret F. Russell. The 1923 membership was 159, and the officers: President, Margaret F. Russell; senior vice-president, Elizabeth Clarke; junior vice-president, Lottie Dinsmore; secretary, Carrie B. Wareham; treasurer, Laura V. Booth; chaplain, Charlotte Chadderton; conductor, Lena Murphy; guard, Emma Buffinton; assistant conductor, Lena Brennan; assistant guard, Annie B. Howard; patriotic instructor, Kate J. Gifford; musician, Lena G. Lennan; color bearers: Helen Caswell, Annie Townley, Zoe Thorwell, and May Harrison.

S. of V. - Richard Borden Camp, No. 90, Sons of , Veterans, was organized September 5, 1888, by G. A. Woodworth, of Leominster, Mass., division mustering officer, with fifty-two charter members. There were but two charter members in the camp in 1923 - Thomas Roe and W. R. Smith. The first officers were: Captain, George H. Surgens; first lieutenant, Fred W. Harrison; second lieutenant, Asa W. Hathaway; orderly sergeant, Fred C. Grush; quartermaster-sergeant, Fred L. Eaton. Captain Surgens was twenty-nine years of age at that time, and only six members of the camp were any older than he; the average age was around twentyone years. There is one member, Benjamin McMillan, who is also a comrade of Post No. 46, G. A. R. The camp was named for Richard Borden, a soldier of the War of the American Revolution, and a very good friend to the "boys in blue" when they came home, and helped them in forming the local post of the G. A. R. The camp lost fifteen members through death since it was organized, one of them being a past-commander, Aafon

S. Pettey, who died in 1921 - the "Grand Old Man" of the camp. There are six past-commanders at the present time - J. F. Smith, W. R. Crowther, W. R. Smith, Nathaniel A. Stover, Albert H. Ratcliffe, Huley A. Baker. Three members were in the World War - Hulcy A. Baker, Guy T. Hutchins, Levi F. Dinsmore. The work and objects are to assist the G. A. R. on all possible occasions, especially on Memorial Day, to place the flags and the flowers on each deceased veteran's grave; and to keep green the memory of those men, who gave their health, and many of them their lives, that we should have a free and united country. On March 25, 1916, Company C of the Sons of Veterans' Reserves was formed, with fifteen men, Lieutenant Albert H. Ratcliffe commanding, this being the military branch of the order. The 1923 officers of the camp are: Commander, W. R. Crowther; senior vice-commander, Pearl L. Hutchins; junior vice-commander, W. R. Smith; ' secretary, Harold E. Britton; treasurer, W. K. Crowther; chaplain, J. F. Smith; patriotic instructor, Hulcy A. Baker; color sergeant, Levi F. Dinsmore; guide, Robert A. Estes; inner guard, Guy TT'. Hutchins; outer guard, Sylvester Sanford; camp council: William C. Gainey, Frank S. Johnson, Herbert Miller. The conference committee of the camp and auxiliary are: Chairman, Pearl L. Hutchins; vice-chairman, Mrs. Henry Lord; secretary, Albert H. Ratcliffe; treasurer, Mrs. Helena Brennan; Hulcy A. Baker, Nathaniel A. Stover, William C. Gainey, Herbert Miller, Mrs. George Ratcliffe, Mrs. Elizabeth Richardson, Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman, Mrs. Eliza Murphy, Miss Anna Shea. The camp had thirty-three members in 1923. Richard Borden Auxiliary, No. 22, S. V. A., was organized by Albert H. Ratcliffe, Thomas Hart, and Fred E. Richardson, of Camp No. 90, Sons of Veterans. The auxiliary was instituted January 4, 1910, by Division President Mrs. Mabel E. Braley and Miss Margret Carney, division I. a d LI. officer, with twenty-seven charter members, of whom there were twelve still in the auxiliary in 1923, namely: Miss Marion Ratcliffe, Mrs. George. Ratcliffe, Miss Anna Shea, Mrs. Eliza G. Crowther, Mrs. Sarah Sedgewick, Mrs. Helen Sullivan, Mrs. Harriett Britton, Mrs. Kate Sanford, Miss Catrie Goss, Mrs. Grace Gardner, Mrs. Elizabeth Thackeray, Miss Hannah Crowther. 'The first officers were: President, Mrs. Eliza G. Crowther; vice-president, Miss Mabel Hart; past-president, Mrs. M. A. Gildchrist; treasurer, Mrs. George Ratcliffe; secretary, Miss Laura Gildchrist; patriotic instructor, Mrs. Helen Sullivan; chaplain, Miss Carrie Goss; guide, Miss Anna Shea; assistant guide, Miss Hattie Flaherty; color guards: Mrs. Jennie Andrews and Miss Marion Ratcliffe; inner guard, Miss Grace Gifford; outer guard, Mrs. Sarah Sedgewick; trustees: Mrs. Harriett Britton, Mrs. M. A. Gildchrist, and Mrs. Sarah Sedgewick; judge advocate, W. R. Crowther. Up to 1923, the auxiliary lost six members through death, one a past president, Mrs. Sarah Westell. The auxiliary in 1923 had four past presidents: Mrs. Eliza G. Crowther, Mrs. Helen Sullivan, Mrs. George Ratcliffe, Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman. The object of the auxiliary is to assist the camp in doing its work. They proved that they understood this work by presenting the camp with a handsome silk parade flag within six months after they had been organized. The 1923 officers of the auxiliary: Presi- _ dent, Mrs. Henry Lord; vice-president, Mrs. Harriett Britton; treasurer, Miss Ethel Sanford; secretary, Miss Jessie Cahill; patriotic instructor, Mrs. Helena Brennan; chaplain, Mrs. Eliza Murphy; guide, Miss Anna Shea; assistant guide, Miss Jennie Chaisty; color guards: Misses Mary Chaisty and Mary Shea; inner guard, Mrs. Sarah Clark; outer guard, Mrs. Herbert Miller; trustees: Mrs. Elizabeth Chapman, Mrs. Harriett Britton, and Mrs. Clara Nickerson; councillor, Pearl L. Hutchins. The auxiliary had seventyfive members in 1923.

Spanish War Veterans. - Camp John J. Doran, No. 47, United Spanish War Veterans, was chartered July 18, 1918, with sixty-six members. The first commander was Thomas Pargen, and succeeded by William J. Carr. The headquarters of the camp are at the corner of Wade and Third streets. The officers for 1923: Commander, Thomas C. Kelliher; senior vice-commander, James A. Butterworth; junior vice-commander, Richard Wood; adjutant, George E. Potter; quartermaster, John Riley; chaplain, John F. Dynes; officer of the day, Henry Dennis; officer of the guard, John McIntyre; trustees: Stephen Carroll, Paul Harrison, James F. Brooks. The Camp has a Ladies' Auxiliary.

American Legion. - There were approximately forty-six hundred Fall River men who had served in the various branches of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States during the World War, when Major Harry A. Skinner, veteran of the World War, prime mover and organizer of the post, secured the names of these fifteen veterans necessary for the charter for the formation of the post, their first meeting for the purpose being held in June, 1919: Major Harry A. Skinner, Herbert H. Reed, Jr., Philip A. Clorite, William F. Kennedy, Ernest B. Fantom, Charles J. Conlon, Lyman J. Lynch, Joseph Grimes, Frederick E. Mercier, Lawrence C. Duclos, James J. Higgins, Joseph C. Giblin, Charles H. Baxter, Bernard J. McDonald, Jr., John M. Hennessey. The first meeting after organizing was held in Music Hall, July 30, 1919, with Major Skinner as temporary chairman and Ernest B. Fantom as temporary secretary; and at this meeting the post was named in honor of Colonel Frank Allen Wilcox, who died in France, February 9, 1918. September 3, 1919, the following-named officers were elected: Post commander, William M. Sullivan; vice-commander, John T. Farrell; adjutant, W. Randlette Brock; finance officer, Ray EK. Tillson; historian, William F. MacKnight, M. D.; chaplain, Rev. James H. Carr; executive committee: Charles B. Miller, Thomas C. Crowther, Alfred C. Greaney. September 17, 1919, the post met at Elks Hall for the first time with the duly elected officers. Carlton W. Davis was appointed war risk insurance officer, and Frederick Kavolsky employment officer.

September 24, 1919, the meeting was held in the rooms occupied by the War Camp community service; and Richard P. Borden was elected chairman of a committee to frame constitution and by-laws for the post. At the meeting of October 20, 1919, John T. Farrell, vice-commander, resigned, and J. Frank Kelly was elected in his place. November 3, 1919, H. C. Benoit, M.D., Joseph M. Botelho and Miss Alice E. Carey were elected members of the executive committee. Meetings of December 8 and December 22 were held in the aldermanic chamber, City Hall, and afterwards all meetings were held in the rooms at the corner of Elm and North Main streets, the city having appropriated $3,500 for the maintenance of the quarters. The post occupied those rooms up to November 1, 1920, since which time the meetings have been held at the corner of Fourth and Pleasant streets, the city appropriating $3,500 for the maintenance of these headquarters. James A. Grady was elected sergeant-at-arms, January 26, 1920, the post now having its full quota of officers. March 8, 1920, the constitution and by-laws, as submitted by the committee, were accepted. Ray E. Tillson resigned as treasurer May 10 that year, and on May 24, William Duffy was elected to the position. Commander William M. Sullivan resigned August 23, 1920, and J. Frank Kelly resigned as vice-commander October 6, that year. November 1, Henry W. Shay was elected commander, and Frederick Kavolsky vice-commander. William J. Duffy resigned as treasurer, October 18. The new officers elected in 1921: Commander, Henry W. Shay; vice-commander, Frederick Kavolsky; adjutant, James H. Martin; finance officer, John S. Brayton, Jr.; chaplain, Rev. Ernest D. Gilbert; historian, William F. MacKnight, M. D.; insurance officer, Carlton W. Davis; employment officer, Lorenzo E. Savard; sergeant-at-arms, George Cullen; executive committee: William M. Sullivan, Lillian A. Shea, Chester W. Borden.

The post observed Armistice Week, November 6 to 12, 1921, with a notable parade and list of events. The following-named officers were elected for 1922: Commander, Armand FE. Fontaine; vice-commander, Ernest B. Fantom; adjutant, James H. Martin; finance officer, John §. Brayton, Jr.; chaplain, Rev. James H. Carr; historian, William F. MacKnight, M. D.; insurance officer, Carlton W. Davis; employment officer, Thomas J. Clifford; sergeant-at-arms, George Cullen; executive committee: Harry A. Skinner, George D. Flynn, Jr., Albert J. Berard. And for 1923 the officers were: Commander, Ernest B. Fantom; vice-commander, Archibald J. Burnside; adjutant, James H. Martin; finance officer, Albert J: Berard; chaplain, Rev. Edmund J. Cleveland; historian, Frank D. Keefe; insurance officer, Raymond A. Auringer; employment officer, William H. Queenan; sergeantat-arms, John Ryan; executive committee: John J. Fitzgerald, Carlton W. Davis, Armand E. Fontaine, George Cullen.

Auxiliary to Frank A. Wilcox Post, 126, American Legion, was organized in 1920. Chester Borden, as chairman of the organization, called the meeting on March 1, at Legion headquarters, that were then at the corner of Elm and North Main streets. Mrs. Edith Fyans Boyd was elected first president. The temporary charter was received April 5, with the names of two hundred and ninety-two charter members, sixty-two of whom were Gold Star mothers. Miss Mary J. Quinn was president in 1921; Miss Margaret E. G. Morriss in 1922. The officers for 1923: President, Miss Margaret E. G. Morriss; vice-president, Mrs. O. J. Berard; secretary, Miss Cecelia M. Clorite; treasurer, Miss Anna M. Maleady; chaplain, Miss Lena V. Booth; historian, Miss Gertrude M. Wood; sergeant-at-arms, Miss Catharina A. Silvia. The executive committee: Mrs. Frank Rowell, Mrs. Harry A. Skinner, Mrs. Mary Lewis. In 1923 there were at least one hundred and forty members.

Veterans of Foreign Wars. - Private Joseph Francis Post, No. 486, was organized in August, 1920, with ninety-eight charter members. At the preliminary meeting, Albert F. Dauphin was elected temporary commander. Soon afterwards, at the first regular meeting, these officers were elected: Commander, Stephen V. Carroll; senior vice-ccommander, William Crompton ; junior vice-commander, Belmont F. Beverly; adjutant, Paul E. Dow; quartermaster, Albert F. Dauphin. By courtesy of Camp Doran, United Spanish War Veterans, the first meetings were held at the hall of that organization. Commander Carroll had served in the Spanish-American War, in the Philippine Insurrection, and in the World War. The commander in 1921 was James R. Thornley, a D. S. C. and a croix de guerre man, who had served overseas with the 102nd Infantry. Stephen V. Carroll was again elected commander in 1922; he resigned before the close of the year, and Herbert Rivers was elected to fill his unexpired term.' Herbert Rivers was the commander for 1923. The number of members is three hundred and fifty.

The Ladies' Auxiliary to Private Joseph Francis Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, was organized in 1921, with sixty charter members, and with the following-named officers: President, Mrs. Cecelia Haley; vicepresident, Mrs. Stephen V. Carroll; secretary, Miss Eva Trainor; treasurer, Miss Susan Smith. The officers for 1922-1923: President, Mrs. Terry; vicepresident, Mrs. Culligan; secretary, Mrs. Alice N. Duclos; treasurer, Miss Susan B. Smith. The membership was one hundred and fifty in 1923.

Twelfth Company. - Battery M, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery Regiment, predecessor of the Twelfth Company, Coast Artillery Corps, M. V. M., was originally Company M, First Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. The company was recruited in 1878 by Sierra Leone Braley, who became its first captain and continued in command over twenty years, through the war with Spain, and until January 10, 1899, when he was retired owing to. ill health. Besides Captain Braley, the officers at the time of organization of the company were V. O. Sayward, first lieutenant, and Charles E. Tetlow, second lieutenant. At the time of the outbreak of the war with Spain, Captain Braley and Lieutenant David Fuller were the only charter members of the company still in the company or in the regiment. The first change in the company officers came in 1880, when Second Lieutenant Tetlow resigned, and James F. Jackson, then a corporal, was elected to succeed him. In 1882, Second Lieutenant Jackson was promoted to be first lieutenant and paymaster on the staff of Colonel Wellington, who then commanded the regiment. Corporal Charles E. Woodman was elected second lieutenant. Lieutenant Jackson was afterwards promoted to be major, commanding what has since been known as the "Cape" battalion, and later to lieutenant-colonel. First Lieutenant Sayward resigned, and Second Lieutenant Woodman was elected to succeed him. John D. Munroe, then a sergeant, and one of the charter members, was elected second lieutenant. In 1889, First Lieutenant Woodman was appointed quartermaster of the regiment, and Second Lieutenant Munroe was appointed to succeed him. Corporal Horace E. Whitney was elected second lieutenant. In December of that year, Second Lieutenant Whitney resigned, as he was leaving the city, and First Sergeant David Fuller was elected to succeed him. In 1892, First Lieutenant Munroe was transferred to the naval militia as lieutenant commanding Company F. Second Lieutenant Fuller was promoted to succeed him, and First Sergeant Walter F. Borden was elected second lieutenant. He resigned in 1897, and Sergeant Frederick W. Harrison was elected second lieutenant. ¥

In 1897, the regiment was changed from infantry to heavy artillery, the companies as batteries retaining the letter designations they had carried. Some years later, the designation of the regiment was changed to conform to the United States regular army form, first to Corps Coast Artillery, and eventually to the present form, Coast Artillery Corps. The designation of the commands was changed from batteries to companies, and they were given numbers instead of letters. Upon the retirement of Captain Braley, Lieutenant Fuller was elected captain, Second Lieutenant Harrison being promoted to first lieutenant. Second Lieutenant William J. Meek was transferred from Battery F, Taunton, to fill the similar position in Battery M. Lieutentant Harrison resigning in 1906, was retired at his own request with the rank of captain, to which he was entitled from his length of service. Second Lieutenant Meek was elected first lieutenant, and Sergeant Harry A. Skinner second lieutenant. In 1908, Lieutenant Meek resigned, and Second Lieutenant Skinner was elected first lieutenant. First Sergeant Edgar L. Borden was elected second lieutenant. In April, 1910, Captain Harrison was elected captain of the company, and returned to the service. Later in the year, Second Lieutenant Borden resigned, and in December, 1910, John T. Swift was elected to succeed him. Second Lieutenant Swift resigned early in 1912 and Quartermaster-Sergeant Thomas J. Clifford was elected to succeed him. Lieutenant Skinner resigned in January, 1912, and was retired with the rank of captain. Second Lieutenant Clifford was then elected first lieutenant. In April, 1912, Captain Harrison resigned, and was retired, with the rank of major, and Captain Skinner was elected captain of the company. Fred R. H. Linley, who was a member of Battery M in 1898, was elected second lieutenant in May, 1912, and he resigned in July, 1913. During 1912, the Twelfth Company led the country in twelve-inch rifle target practice, Captain Skinner being in command. 'The score was 247.64, a figure of merit.

Captain Skinner was elected major of the Third Battalion, April 12, 1916. Captain Thomas J. Clifford was captain of the Twelfth from 1916 until April, 1917. From the time of the opening of the World War, the members of the company served with many contingents, Major Skinner going overseas with 55th Regt. (C. A. C.) Heavy Artillery, and many others going across with the companies to which they had been assigned. The Twelfth was thereafter no longer known as such.. It is now known as the 320th Company, C. A. C., Captain Raymond Brocklehurst. It was organized in September, 1920, with these officers: Captain Brocklehurst; Lieutenant Ernest E. Fantom, Second Lieutenant Charles Borden. The company has since taken leading place in the regiment, winning the S. A. R. Knox trophy two years in succession.

When Lieutenant Borden was called to the battalion staff in 1921 as adjutant, Lieutenant Edwin J. Southworth was elected to his position, and Arthur Whalley was made first sergeant. At this time a new company was formed, the 326th, with these officers: Captain Ray E. Tillson; First Lieutenant Charles W. Phillips; Second Lieutenant John J. Brindley. During the summer of 1923, Major Skinner organized two new companies, the 329th and the 330th, to replace companies that went into the infantry at Hingham and Plymouth. Their officers: 329th - Captain Thomas J. Clifford; First Lieutenant Chauncey S, Willis; Second Lieutenant Vincent P.

Seventeenth Regiment, M. S. G. - The history of the Seventeenth Regiment of Infantry, Massachusetts State Guard, has been thus told by Captain J. Thayer Lincoln: This regiment in which many Fall River men have so prominently figured, was organized by general orders, August 1, 1917, with the following-named field and staff: Colonel William H. Beattie; Lieutenant-Colonel Spencer Borden, Jr.; Major Joseph L. Gibbs; Major Clifford L,. Harris; Major William B. Squire; Captain Jonathan T. Lincoln, adjutant; Captain Thomas F. Grandfield, supply officer; Lieutenant William A. Hart, heutenant supply company; and Captain Albert H. Parker, chaplain. Headquarters were established in the State Armory at Fall River, the original regimental organization being as follows: Headquarters Company, Fall River, Captain Jonathan T. Lincoln; Supply Company, Fall River, Captain Thomas F. Grandfield. First battalion - Major Joseph L. Gibbs; Adjutant, Lieutenant Erford W. Poole; Company A, New Bedford, Captain Stephen C. Lowe; Company B, New Bedford, Captain William B. Stitt; Company C, Onset, Captain John A. Mullihin; Company D, Marion, Captain W. H. Lillard. Second Battalion - Major Clifford L. Harris; Adjutant, Lieutenant Fred F. Dill; Company E, Falmouth, Captain Ray D. Wells; Company F, Hyannis, Captain A. R. Varnum; Company G, Orleans, Captain Elmer C. Smith. Third Battalion - Major William B. Squire; Adjutant, Lieutenant Charles D. Davol; Company I, Fall River, Captain Aibert Walton; Company K, Fall River, Captain Richard K. Hawes; Company L, Fall River, Captain E. Gordon Thatcher; Company M, Fall River, Captain Robert R. Borden. Later the following units were organized: Company N, New Bedford, Captain Thomas Williams, mustered October, 1917; Company O, New Bedford, Captain Gilbert G. Southworth, mustered November, 1917; Company H, Fairhaven, Captain Fred C. Hill, mustered December, 1917; Machine Gun Company, Captain R. M. Whitman, mustered Vebruary, 1918. The regimental band, Lieutenant Carl Buffinton leader, was added to headquarters company in May, 1918. A sanitary detachment was added to the Seventeenth Infantry under command of Major Garry deN. Hough, of New Bedford, and Captain William T. Learned was attached to the local battalion. Rev. Charles E. Jackson, of Fall River, was appointed chaplain of the regiment, with rank of captain, to succeed Captain Albert R. Parker, who resigned to enter the United States Navy as chaplain; and Lieutenant Francis O. Lathrop was assigned to the supply company, vice Lieutenant W. A. Hart, resigned. Company C of Onset was transferred from the First Battalion to the Second Battalion, and the new companies, H, N and O, were attached to the First Battalion. The regiment had been mobilized four times: First, field day at Marion, October 12, 1917; second, liberty loan parade at Boston, April 6, 1918; third, five-day tour of duty at Camp Augustus P. Gardner, Framingham, August 4-8, 1918; fourth, field day, review and muster out, Fall River, May 31, 1919. The first important duty undertaken was the drilling of drafted men in the late summer and fall of 1917, and between five and six hundred men received instructions which enabled them to enter the cantonments with a fundamental knowledge of the infantry drill regulations. Regimental units, both company and battalion, assisted in the liberty loan and Red Cross campaigns; and by individual efforts hundreds of bonds were bought through company organizations.

During the influenza epidemic in the fall of 1918, the different units were always of service. Uniformed members of the regiment were organized as ambulance drivers, emergency nurses, hospital orderlies and morgue keepers. Although the demands made were heavy, the volunteers were always ready; in Fall River, particularly, practically all of the enlisted were engaged in the fight against the epidemic. During the first part of the war, escort details and firing squads were furnished for the funerals of enlisted men of the army and navy at times when the army was unable to spare men for their service. Weekly company drills were taken up, including the school of the soldier, manual of arms, school of the squad and company, and close and open order work. Particular attention was paid to rifle practice and riot duty. There were frequent inter-company competition shoots; many of the members of the regiment going to the United States Navy range at Wakefield, to qualify as marksmen, sharp-shooters and experts. Several open-air battalion drills were held at convenient places for mobilization. The original strength of the regiment was 43 officers and 739 enlisted men; its maximum strength in August, 1918, was 61 officers and 1,000 enlisted men. 'The regiment discharged into the service of the national army, navy, and marine and auxiliary army service, 182 men. The average age of the regiment in August, 1918, was over thirtythree years. The enlistments for national service show an unusually high average.

State Armory. - One of the most noteworthy and imposing structures in the city is the State Armory, between Elm and Bank streets on Durfee street. This building, which contains quarters for six companies, and a drill hall one hundred and fifty feet by seventy-five feet, was constructed in 1897. The armory, now in possession of the State, cost $150,000, the first expenditure of $100,000 being authorized by the city, January 3, 1895. The State issued bonds therefor, afterwards met by a sinking fund, the city paying a special annual tax toward the fund.