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Today’s installment of our World War One remembrance (thanks to the efforts of Eileen Loucraft) is a summary of a letter from Edward Nelson to his parents that he wrote while in France in December 1917 which is before the American forces were fully engaged in combat.

Corporal Edward Nelson of the 101st regiment, A.E.F., now in France and formerly of the Sixth regiment of this city, has written a very interesting letter to his wife who reisdes at 506 Middlesex street.

The young soldier, who is the father of a handsome baby and who has been in France for the past four months, tells of having spent a very enjoyable Thanksgiving day and he states there is a good time in store for the boys in khaki in France. According to the Lowell soldier, all the gifts that have been sent from America during the Yuletide season would be placed on huge Christmas trees and special exercises held on Christmas day in camp. He closes his latter by stating he is in excellent health and most of his time is taken up with clerical work.

Mrs. Nelson was born in this city, but is of German descent. She says she has no relatives in Germany and never saw German soil and hopes her husband and the other soldiers under the colors of the allies will succeed in putting the kaiser where he belongs.

Another installment in our month-long effort to remember Lowell soldiers who died in the First World War by republishing their obituaries:

More About Death of Major Rivet

Further information concerning the death of Maj. Douglas Rivet, son of Mrs. Franics P. Rivet of 271 Beacon street, is contained in the Army and Navy Journal for November 30 as in as follows:

“As to the death of Maj. James Douglas Rivet, killed in action leading his battalion of the 61st Infantry into battle beyond Verdun, France, a friend writes:

“Maj. Rivet was promoted to major June 1, 1918. He was stationed in the Philippines, presidio of Monterrey, presidio of San Francisco, Nogales, Ariz, and Douglas, Ariz., and was one of the original officers of the new 35th Infantry. As instructor at De Leon Spring (Texas) training camp for officers, at the second training camp, Fort Sheridan, and Camp Greene, Charlotte, N.C., he won high commendation for efficiency and high military attainments.

“Ordered overseas about the last of February, 1918, he assisted in preparing for the training of the regiment and division and was highly commended by his superior officers. He was for a time adjutant of the Ninth brigade in France and returned to his battalion to lead it into the movements that accompanied the taking of St. Mihiel salient and operations beyond. He fell on the field of honor Oct. 15, 1918.

Maj. Rivet is survived by his wife, Helen, and two children, James Douglas, Jr., and Barbara. Mrs. Helen Stout Rivet is a niece of Maj-Gen. Frederick S. Strong, commanding the 40th division in France. Her cousin, Lt-Col. F.S. Strong, Jr., of the Engineers, two second cousins and her only brother, Herbert G. Stout, are also in the service in France.

Each day this November, thanks to Eileen Loucraft, a native of Chelmsford, who while researching her family history, became interested in remembering those from Greater Lowell who fought and died in the First World War, we will present a contemporary news story of one such soldier. Today, we learn about Manuel Martin:

Another Lowell man has given up the greatest treasure he possessed for the well-being of his country. Private Manuel Martin of Co. G, 104th U.S. Infantry, son of Mrs. Mario Martin, 1 Charles Street court, has been killed in action in France. His name is included in last evening’s casualty list. . .

Private Martin was 20 years of age. He was well known among the Portuguese-American residents here and had been employed as a carpenter before joining Co. G in February, 1917. His father died in the Azores when Manuel was but a child. Besides his mother he leaves three sisters, Julia, Baptista and Alda. He attended the Coburn grammar school. Like the other members of Co. G, he did guard duty in New Hampshire last spring and successively went to Ayer and Westfield. He embarked on this final journey in September.

The final letter which was received by his mother was written by Private Martin on Jan. 3. Mrs. Martin received it toward the end of the month. In substance, it was like the hundreds of other letters which Lowell boys have sent to their loved ones, but its reproduction at this time seems to lend it greatly enhanced significance:

“Somewhere in France, Jan 3, 1918.
Dear Ma: – I just received your package and was surely glad to get it. I am feeling very good at present and am situated as well as could be expected. What has bothered me, ma, is that I have not received any letter from home recently, although I have sent my address.

Also, ma, would you be kind enough to tell everyone that knows me to write to me, for at the end of a day’s work a letter cheers one greatly. Also, ma, be sure to write every three or four days, for news from home is salve to a burning heart.

I wish to beg sister’s pardon for slighting her by not writing a letter last month, but I will try to be better. It was pure laziness on my part, but I am fast learning to overcome that. You know what is natural is hard to overcome in a short while.

Please send some cigarets and candy. Give my best regards to all. With love, I remain,

Sincerely, your son, Manuel.”