He Died Before He Could Fight

Posted on Findagrave.com by Conner

Lester Nusam Evans (1896-1918) was one of eight children, and one of three boys, born to Wilson E. Evans (1867-1932) and Mattie M. Scivally (1869-1950). Lester is my biological first cousin 2x
removed.

On 3 June 1918, he registered for the WWI draft; he was twenty-two years of age. On the draft card he is described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and black hair and working for his father, who was a farmer. Three months later, on 6 September 1918, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He ended up as a private in Company G, 57^th Pioneer Infantry. The Pioneer Infantry Regiments trained at Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina. These infantry regiments were regular army troops, but they were also trained to be combat engineers.

Pictured posted on https://mcleodhistory.pastperfectonline.com

On 29 Sep 1918, three weeks after his enlistment, Lester found himself bound for France aboard the SS Leviathan.  The SS Leviathan was a captured German cruise ship, originally named the Vaterland. After being refitted for WWI, the Leviathan became a troop transport ship and started double bunking troops (soldiers sharing bunks by taking turns sleeping). Due to the double bunking system, the Leviathan was able to carry up to 14,000 individuals at a time; and with experience, 11,000 troops were able to load within two hours.

SS Leviathan - Google Images

Troops on SS Leviathian - Google Images

Unfortunately for Lester, he happened to be on the Leviathan’s most deadly voyage of the war. As the Leviathan was crossing the Atlantic Ocean, there was an outbreak of the Spanish flu. Assuming there were 14,000 individuals were on board – the population of a small city – 2,000 became sick from the epidemic and 80 died by the time they arrived one week later in the port city Brest on 8 October 1918. Lester contracted the Spanish flu on that voyage, and he died 11 days after landing in Brest on 17 October 1918 from bronchopneumonia. 

He died at Army Hospital 65 at Kerhuon, just outside of Brest.  He was buried in the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial in Fere-en-Tardenois, Departement de l'Aisne, Picardie, France.  I do not know if Lester was looking forward to fighting in the war or if he was worried about whether or not he would survive any fighting that he would encounter. But one thing is certain, he died before he could enter the fighting. 

Hospital 65 - Google Images

 After his death and burial, the American Red Cross sent a letter to Lester’s father. Here is the transcript of the letter, with the original posted below the transcript.

Evans, Lester N. 4252035, private, Co. G 57th Pioneer Inf.
American Red Cross
(Croix-Rouge Americaine)

4, Place De La Tour d'Auvergne
Brest, Finistere

Mr. Willie Evans
Winchester, Tenn.

My dear Mr. Evans:

            Altho  you have already received the news from our government that your son has died for his country in France, I am writing for the Home Communication Service of the American Red Cross to tell you more than the brief official message could give.
            He came ashore from the transport ill with broncho-pneumonia and was taken to a large base hospital, No. 65 at Kerhuon, just outside of this City. This hospital has a n excellent staff of doctors and nurses from North Carolina who are untiring in their devotion to the patients.  Your boy received very tender care possible, but he was not able to survive. He died at 5:15 a.m. October, 17, 1918.
            I attended the funeral at the new American cemetery at Lambezellec where he and other American boys were buried by their comrades with military honors.
            Captain J. O. Yates, chaplain of the U.S. Army at this base, had charge of the burial service. In his impressive prayer, he prayed not only for these boys who have given their lives in the cause of freedom in the present war, but also for those in dear America who love them. The American Red Cross is arranging to have the graves planted with ivy. I enclosed a piece of ivy from the hedge of the new cemetery where your son is buried.
            I send out my sympathy for your share of the world's present sorrow, and I send you my love also because I know he would be sending his if he had not died so courageously, not only for his own country, but, like Christ, for all the world.

 Sincerely yours,

 Maude Cleveland
Home Communication Service, A.R.G.
2 Place de Rivoli
Paris, France

 

Posted by BHartman on Findagrave.com