Ralph I. Lindsey

Submitted by: Joseph F Reagan {Great Grandson}

Ralph I Lindsey born around 1896. Ralph Lindsey served in World War 1 with the United States Army. The enlistment was in 1917 and the service was completed in 1919.

Story of Service

Ralph was the only son of a prominent New England family who owned a boot company, the Lindsey Boot, which was very popular in the late 1800's and early 1900's. He served in Battery E 101st Field Artillery Regiment. He participated in the Aisne Marne Offensive, St Mihiel Offensive, and the Meuse Argonne Offensive. He was wounded twice.

Ralph maintained a journal of his service, meticulously recording each day of his war in 1918. On being gassed he wrote:

"Well at last I've got it. Am in a field hospital with a dose of must. gas. The fun started last night when the Boshe opened up on us with big boys. The first landed 6ft from me and nearly knocked me out, they shelled and gassed us for three hours knocking the stuffing out of the position, ammunition and gassing us all. Left 33A at 9 this am and was evacuated to Saugy at 11:30 am not at Saugy (6:00) and expect to be sent to Meaux soon. 23 men in C battery gassed in 2 nights. ~Ralph Lindsey July 16th 1918."

He was wounded again at the end of October and spent the rest of the war in a hospital bed. On November 11th 1918 he observed:

"Armistice signed at 11 o'clock. Grand celebration all over France. War is at last over and I am still alive ~Ralph Lindsey November 11, 1918"

The mustard gas attack left him with a permanent heart defect, his heart "whistled" for the rest of his life. He died in 1958 aged 62.