Category Archives: Graveside Honors

May 7, 2019: Dedication of the Robert Bollie Stanley military style marker

On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, the Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range, along with members of the Brunswick Town Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, paid tribute to Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley, WWI Brunswick County veteran and only known POW.

The flat military style marker which was installed and dedicated was purchased with funds donated by Allen Dunstan, an out of town visitor who was deeply touched by Pvt Stanley’s sacrifice.

Seven of Pvt Stanley’s descendants along with a friend attended the ceremony and received the thanks and recognition for his sacrifice.

The family members, pictured from left to right.

  • Vivian Stanley, granddaughter
  • Leroy Hill, grandson
  • Ellis Stanley, cousin
  • Deborah Bolin, granddaughter
  • Fred Stanley, grandson
  • Anna White, granddaughter
  • Joe Stanley, cousin

Norma Eckard read a short biography during the ceremony.

Robert Bollie Stanley was born and raised in Shallotte.

He was called to duty for World War I on March 29, 1918, training in Camp Grant, Illinois. Pvt Stanley served with the 92nd Division, nicknamed the “Buffalo Soldiers” in honor of African American troops who served in the American West after the Civil War. There were only two divisions in World War I having African American combat units, the 92nd “Buffalo Soldiers” and the 93rd “Blue Hat” Divisions.

Robert Stanley was one of only nine known African American men from Brunswick County who served in a combat position.

During the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, on October 29, 1918, Pvt Stanley was captured by the enemy. He was released about a month later, on November 27, 1918. Pvt Stanley returned to America on March 24, 1919, with his right leg amputated at the thigh. He was discharged from the US Army on August 25, 1919, with a 95% disability.

Robert Bollie Stanley married and raised several children. He was laid to rest on September 22, 1961, at age 66.

Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley’s WWI Profile can be read for more details here.

During the dedication ceremony, Joe Stanley unveiled the marker. After the prayer, “Taps” was played.

The script for the ceremony is available here: Robert Bollie Stanley Dedication Ceremony

The family shared a photo of Pvt Stanley in uniform, which stirred emotions as we recalled his sacrifices.

Following the dedication of the marker, the family members were invited to share stories of Pvt Stanley.

Fred “Stan” Stanley, grandson, was adopted by his grandfather and raised like a son. Pvt Stanley raised several young children on his own after the death of his wife at a young age. Stan remembered him being in frequent pain, but rarely complained. Stan and his grandfather were always together.

Stan was 17 years old when his grandfather suffered a stroke. Delaying his entrance into the Navy, he stayed with his grandfather until he “took his last breath” in September.

Both Stan and Joe Stanley, cousin, commented that their grandfather never spoke about WWI.

Deborah Bolin, granddaughter, was wearing a brooch owned by her mother, Pvt Stanley’s daughter. She shared that her mother was very special to her.

Joe Stanley remarked that Pvt Stanley was “a fabulous man.”

Stan shared more information via email after the ceremony, including this comment.

“God has blessed me and allowed me to see and do so much, and even more so, allowed me to witness such an amazing recognition of my grandfather’s sacrifice.”  ~Fred “Stan” Stanley

More memories may be added later.

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Honoring Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley: Tuesday, May 7, 2019

The Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range and the Brunswick Town Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution will honor Pvt Robert Bollie Stanley tomorrow with the installation of a military style marker.

The funds for this marker were donated by Allen Dunstan, an out of town visitor who was deeply touched by Pvt Stanley’s sacrifice.

Read more here:
Donor honors WWI POW Robert Bollie Stanley with military marker

Pvt Stanley is buried in Stanley Cemetery in Shallotte. The ceremony will begin at 11 am.

WWI Profiles will resume next week.

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Graveside Honors: Greer Cemetery, Bolivia, NC

During the Christmas holidays, supporters from Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range traveled to Greer Cemetery in Bolivia, Brunswick County, to attempt to locate David Williams‘ gravesite, one of the 23 Brunswick County WWI veterans who gave his life during war. His gravesite had not yet been found.

David Williams served overseas with the 545th Engineers, building and maintaining roads and railways both during the conflict and afterward for the Army of Occupation. Like many who died in the US military during WWI, David Williams died of disease. His date of death was March 18, 1919.

David’s remains were returned to the United States on November 26, 1921. There was no record found to help locate his gravesite. His wife’s death certificate showed her burial at Greer Cemetery. It was hoped that David Williams’ gravesite would be found there too.

Greer Cemetery (also known as Williams Cemetery):
Detailed directions can be found on the Brunswick County Cemetery maps here and here.

The cemetery is difficult to find, located off a dirt road with driveways and overgrown brush. It is still active, as a 2018 gravesite was located. There were flowers at many of the headstones, indicating it has not been forgotten.

David Williams‘ headstone was spotted immediately. It is not a military headstone but mentions his service. It includes the statement “Erected by his wife Florence M. Williams.” They had been married only four months when he was called for service. Their son, David Jesse Williams, was born after Pvt Williams had left the country.

DAVID WILLIAMS
Privet [sic] 545 Eng. USA
Died March 18, 1919.
Erected by his wife,
Florence M. Williams

The gravesite of his wife was also located.

Florence Marie Williams remained a single mother, raising their son, who would later serve in WWII. She became a school teacher, teaching at Brunswick County Training School in Southport, the only African American high school in the county.

David Williams and his family are featured in his World War I Profile. His story has been updated to include his final resting place.

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.

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Graveside Honors: Private First Class Samuel Joseph Frink 1892-1971

Hannah Frink Deppner is pictured here honoring her father, Private First Class Samuel Joseph Frink, at his graveside in Mintz Cemetery, Ocean Isle Beach, Brunswick County, NC.

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.

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Graveside Honors: Private David Bertram Frink 1894-1973

Edward David Redwine and Doris F. Redwine are pictured here honoring his grandfather and her father, Private David Bertram Frink, at his graveside in Mintz Cemetery, Ocean Isle Beach, Brunswick County, NC.

Private Frink’s WWI military medals include the WWI Victory Medal with Army Battle Clasps awarded for the battles of St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne, along with the Defensive Sector Battle Clasp. On the right is the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal and service ribbon which were awarded to those who served in the European Occupation at the close of the war.

Private Frink has been honored with a donation by both Edward David Redwine and Doris F. Redwine.

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.

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Graveside Honors: Sergeant Robert G Farmer 1886-1918

On Memorial Day weekend, Ruth Ann Beck and her grandchildren went to Old Smithville Cemetery in Southport to honor WWI veteran Sergeant Robert G Farmer. Sgt Farmer died of pneumonia while serving at Fort Caswell.

They also stopped at the gravesite of his son, Arthur Latney Farmer (Navy), who was awarded a Silver Star in WWII when 14 enemy planes attacked his ship as he manned the machine gun.

Sergeant Robert G Farmer has been honored with a donation by Elizabeth A. Albee.

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.

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Graveside Honors: John N. Smith Cemetery, Southport, NC

Source: findagrave
Peggy Harris and Maxine McCullar recently visited John N. Smith Cemetery in Southport to pay respects to Pfc William James Gordon.

William Gordon was honored by Peggy Harris in March.

See Honor a Brunswick County WWI Veteran: Donors for the full list.

Peggy and Maxine spent the morning searching the cemetery for William Gordon’s grave. Pfc Gordon’s headstone is on the ground, which makes it difficult to find. They called Judy Gordon, the co-leader of the effort to restore and preserve the 135 year old cemetery. She directed them to the location of his headstone.

Judy then showed them the headstones of WWI veterans Sheppard Campbell and James Clemmons. Both were also previously honored with a donation. Sheppard Campbell was honored by Carol Jutte; James Clemmons was honored by Patricia Steele.

Judy Gordon provided a list of additional names of WWI veterans buried in the cemetery.

Several of these were already identified as buried at Smith Cemetery on the Honor a Brunswick County WWI Veteran: Cemeteries webpage. Those not already listed can now be added. Identifying the cemeteries where the WWI veterans were laid to rest is very important in order to honor them, so we thank Judy, Peggy, and Maxine!

Most were on the Brunswick County WWI Veterans webpage. But three were not.

Harry/Henry Charlie Price

Henry was living in Georgia when he was drafted into the Army. Georgia is a state which has WWI Service Cards available online, and so had previously been searched for Brunswick County WWI veterans. However, his birth location is set as “Charlotte, NC” which as mentioned in several WWI Profiles posted, was a common mistake at the time for “Shallotte.” He can now be added to the Brunswick County WWI veteran list.

Fred Elmer Smith

The Department of Veterans Affairs Death File shows he served from Oct 1, 1918 through Dec 12, 1918. He did not show up in either the NC WWI Service Cards nor the Brunswick County Lists of Men Ordered to Report For Duty.

Correction: The Death File is not the Fred Elmer Smith from Southport. Fred Elmer Smith, Jr served in WWII. His father, Fred Elmer Smith, Sr, has no record of serving in WWI.

George A. Galloway

There are no records of NC WWI Service Cards nor Report to Duty lists. If anyone has information, please contact Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range.

Thanks to Peggy, Maxine, and Judy, we have more accurate records of Brunswick County WWI veterans. Any additions or information regarding Brunswick County WWI veterans is always welcome.

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.

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Graveside Honors: Private George Finnis Willetts 1894-1956

Kenny Jones, Sue Jones Jordan, and Mary Willetts Earp are pictured here honoring their uncle, Private George Finnis Willetts, at his graveside in Sharon United Methodist Church Cemetery, Holden Beach, Brunswick County, NC.

Private Willetts has been honored with a donation by his granddaughters Darlene Willetts McGee, Joann Willetts Neal, and Beth Willetts Osborne.

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.

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Graveside Honors: Private Frederick Arnold Willetts 1895-1972

Kenny Jones, Sue Jones Jordan, and Mary Willetts Earp are pictured here honoring their uncle, Private Frederick Arnold Willetts, at his graveside in Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery , Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC.

Private Willetts has been honored with a donation by his Great-nieces Sue Jones Jordan and Maggie Faulkner Harper.

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.

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Graveside Honors: High Point, NC

Some supporters of Friends of Fort Caswell Rifle Range traveled to High Point to seek the gravesite of one of Brunswick County’s three WWI veterans awarded medals during their service: Corporal Curtis Lee Smith.

Corporal Smith’s WWI Profile had already been posted but until now, the details and picture of his gravesite were unavailable. His death certificate shows Floral Garden Park in High Point as the cemetery. If his gravesite could be located, then military honors could be verified.

Floral Garden Memorial Park (Cemetery Census) is 44 acres. There is an onsite office and files are available to offer an exact location of a grave. Because the information in findagrave for this cemetery indicated that phone queries could be a problem, an actual visit to the office was made instead. Maps to the gravesite were provided by a very nice gentleman in the office.

Below, the map of the cemetery indicating the correct section, followed by the map of the section indicating his gravesite.

Findagrave accepts GPS coordinates and Plot numbers, both of which were entered after the visit.

Corporal Curtis Lee Smith‘s gravesite is next to his wife, Mary Alice Jones Smith. Both pictures were added to findagrave.

His flat marker is not an official military marker but it does include the words, U.S. ARMY HERO, WWI.

Three Brunswick County men were awarded medals for their service in WWI. We now know the resting places for all of them.

    • Sergeant Forney Boston Mintz
      ★Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster

    • Private Benjamin Bantie Smith (Died of Wounds)
      ★Silver Star, British Military Medal

    • Corporal Curtis Lee Smith
      ★Silver Star

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

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