Henry Nathaniel Snead
Snead, Henry Nathaniel, son of William Henry Snead and Mary “Mollie” Agnes Holcomb Snead, was born January 3, 1892, Crystal Hill, Halifax County. He enlisted, serving as a private, US Army, departing Newport News, July 31, 1918 aboard the SS Re d’Italia, 16th Provisional Company, July Infantry Replacement Draft.
Snead died in France circa September 1, 1918, while serving in Company D, 163rd Infantry. His remains were returned from St. Nazaire, October 10, 1920, aboard the USS Pocahontas, carrying “Remains of Overseas Dead.” His remains arrived in Hoboken, New Jersey, October 18, 1920. The fallen soldier is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, South Boston. Private Snead was awarded a Purple Heart and received the World War I Victory Medal.
Do you know the name, rank or other information of this Halifax County soldier?
Do you know the name, rank or other information of this Halifax County soldier or the one pictured below?
The Halifax County Historical Society is making a final effort to include all veterans of World War I in its next publication. To date over 1,200 have been documented, but several photos have arrived that we cannot identify. If you know the names of the three that we feature above, it would be most appreciated if you would contact Barbara Bass, president, Halifax County Historical Society, at 434-579-0083 or email her at bdbass@cstone.net.
We encourage members of the community to share the names of soldiers, military photographs, and any military information. Society members are available at the Chaffin House (110 Mountain Road, Halifax) to scan information that family members may have every Thursday 10 a.m.- 2p.m. Additional dates are available by appointment by calling 434-579-0083, or information may be emailed to bdbass@cstone.net.
World War I – known in 1918 “The Great War” - officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles signed June 28, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles, France. However, fighting had ceased seven months earlier when an armistice, or temporary cessation, between the Allies and Germany went into effect 11th hour or of the 11th day of the 11th month; therefore, November 11, 1918, is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”
Society To Honor Veterans of World War I
Research is ongoing to publish a book on men and women from Halifax County who served during World War I. Since over 60% of World War I records were destroyed by a fire in the 1970s, it is important to rely on many sources such as information from family members, visits to many cemetery sites and any online information available. Since so many records cannot be found, the Society hopes members of the public will help with information. The Society has documented 1,200 individuals who served during World War I from Halifax County and is trying to collect as much military information as possible on each one.
If members of the community have records, photographs, or any additional information, they are asked to please share with the Society. Help the Society honor those WWI veterans who have been forgotten.
Joseph Stebbins Lawson, included in the photo above, was the son of John James Lawson and Eliza Jasper Craddock. Lawson, was born June 29, 1895, in South Boston, Virginia and was married to Mary Elizabeth Houston Lawson. He enlisted at Fort Myers, Virginia, as a member of ROTC at Virginia Military Institute, serving as a first lieutenant, US Army, Company M, 47th Infantry, 4th Division, Regimental Headquarters.
Lawson’s division departed Hoboken, New Jersey, May 10, 1918, aboard the USS Caserta. Fourteen months later on July 27, 1919, he returned from Brest, France aboard the USS Mobile, arriving again in Hoboken, New Jersey. Lawson received a World War 1 Victory Medal and was discharged August 16, 1919, at Camp Lee.
Lawson was a charter member of American Legion Post 8 in South Boston, and served as its commander in 1944. The former WWI soldier died December 1, 1971, and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery.