OFFICER COMMENDS DEAD SOLDIER'S SERVICE

The following notice of the death of her son was received recently by Mrs. ClaraK. Ashwell from the Commander of Battery G., of which her son was a member.

From: Battery Commander, Battery "G" 7th Regt., C.A.C.
To: Mrs. Clara K. Ashwell, Shippensburg, Penna., U.S.A., 214 East King Street.
Subject: Notification of death of William G. Ashwell.

1. It is with deep sympathy that I must inform you of the death of your son, Private, first class, William C. Ashwell.
2.He was ill Jan. 8, and went to the Hospital Jan 9, and died Jan 10, 1918, of Epidemic Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. He had every care and attention but in vain. He was a good soldier and well liked by his Battery.
3. He is the first man in our regiment to die since we came to France. He will be buried Jan. 13, in a National Cemetery with full military honors. The chaplain will write you about his burial. you have the heartfelt sympathy of the Battery and regiment as well as myself.

Very sincerely,
JOSEPH TWYMAN
Lieut. C.A.C. Commanding Bat. G

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SHIPPENSBURG BOY DIED IN FRANCE, JANUARY 10

General Pershing's casualty list sent to the authorities at Washington, D.C., and made public Tuesday night, contained the name of William Cloyd Ashwell, of East King Street. Notice of the young man's death, January 10, in France, of cerebra spinal meningitis, was received by Mrs. Ashwell, Sunday. Mr. Ashwell was a native of Shippensburg and spent most of his life here. In April he enlisted in the Coast Artillery Corps and had been in France several months before the time of his death. Prior to his enlistment he was an employee of the Harrisburg pipe & Pipe Bending Works. He was 21 years, 11 months and 18 days. He is survived by his mother and one brother and three sisters.

The Shippensburg Chronicle
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Thursday, January 17, 1918

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BODY OF WILLIAM CLOYD ASHWELL NOW RESTS IN CEMETERY HERE

The body of William Cloyd Ashwell, Pvt. 1st Class, Batty. G, 7th Reg. C.A.C., who died in France, arrived in Shippensburg, Sunday morning on the 6:16 train over the Pennsylvania Railroad, accompanied by a military escort.

About twenty-six members of the Oscar M. Hykes Post, American Legion, met the train, and escorted the body to the home of his sister, Mrs. Calder Hubley on North Penn Street. Funeral service in honor of the hero were held in the Church of God, Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.

The Oscar M. Hykes Post, No. 223, American Legion, under whose direction the service was held, headed by the Scotland School Band, marched from the Post rooms to the home of the deceased soldiers sister from which place the body was taken to the Church of God, where simple, but impressive services were held conducted by Rev. H.R. Lobb.

The flag covered casket was borne into the church, followed by colors, color guard, members of the Legion, relatives and friends.

At the conclusion of the service the casket was carried from the church to the military caisson and the funeral procession moved slowly down King Street to the cemetery. The cortage was headed by the S.O.I.S. Band.

In obedience to the proclamation issued by Burgess E.S. Berry, stores closed and business was suspended generally until after the procession passed to the cemetery. After the casket was lowered into the soil for which these brave boys gave their lives, prayer was offered by Chaplain Warren, volleys were fired by the firing squad, and the bugler sounded "Taps" as the final requiem for the honored dead.

The Chronicle
Shippensburg, Pennsylvania
Thursday, June 9, 1921