Frank Houlton Putnam(1892-1930)

Born: March 29th, 1892 in Oakfield, ME

Father:  Amos Putnam (1863-1936) (P2)

Mother: Cora Margaret Carpenter (1872-1964) (P3)

Married: Madge Weldon(1891-1957) on August 14th, 1919 in Woodstock, New Brunswick

Children:

• Joyce May Putnam(1920-1926)

• Amos Weldon Putnam(1921-1983)

• Kathleen Putnam(1923)

• Joan Lucy Putnam(1925-2008)

• Madge Putnam(1928-1928)

Died: January 29th, 1930 in Houlton, ME

Obituary

Frank Houlton Putnam was born on March 29th, 1892, in Houlton, Maine, the son of Amos Putnam of Houlton and Cora Carpenter Putnam of Madawaska, Maine.  He attended the public schools in Houlton and Burdet's Business College in Boston, Mass. In 1915 FHP enlisted in the 55th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force and served in France till November 1917. He participated in the 3rd battle of Ypres, the Somme (wounded), Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Lens and Passchendaele Ridge (seriously wounded). He was invalided out of service on Feb. 6, 1919 and married Madge Weldon, a British nurse whom he met in hospital in London, in August 1919. They had five children, Joyce (d. age 6), Amos Weldon (b. 1922), Kathleen (b. 1924) and Joan (b. 1925) and Madge (d. age 2 days). From 1921 till his death in Jan., 1930, FHP served as Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue in Houlton.  Following his death, Mrs. Putnam and the three surviving children returned to Great Britain. FHP's standing in the community is best illustrated by the huge attendance at his military funeral.  This was attended also by The Headquarters Battery, 151 Field Artillery, the New Brunswick Post of the British Legion and the Briggs Post of the American Legion.

In my father's papers i found a copy of a newspaper article on the funeral of my Granduncle, Frank Houlton Putnam from February 11th or 17th, 1930. 

Houlton Mourns Passing of Frank Houlton Putnam --- A World War Hero

Dies At His Home After A Short Illness---Brilliant War Service With Canadian Forces---Military Funeral

The streets lined with flags drooping at half-staff and the closing of all places of business Monday afternoon showed the profound respect and deep affection with which the people of Houlton regarded the late Frank Houlton Putnam, whose death after a brief illness of ten days saddened the whole community last Saturday morning.

Frank Houlton Putnam, a member of one of the oldest families and descended from nearly all of the pioneer settlers of this community was the son of Amos and Cora (Carpenter) Putnam. He was a man well liked, general to a fault, a lover of family and the great out-of-doors, a reader and a friend to everyone, doing his work well.  He was born at Houlton, March 29th, 1892. He attended the public schools and later took a course in accounting at Burdett's business college in Boston.  In early childhood he showed those qualities of courage and perseverance which he later displayed in such a marked degree during the World War.  Many will remember his gallantry when a young boy in recovering the body of Harry Berry from Nickerson Lake. After repeated diving he reached the body and brought it to the surface at great risk to his own life when many older men had failed.

Mr. Putnam was one of those Americans who felt the call of duty before this county declared war and enlisted in the 55th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Forces in 1915, with whom he took part in the third battle of Ypres and the Battle of the Somme, where he received a shrapnel wound in the face while bring up food to comrades isolated in an advanced position. After his recovery he participated in the battles of Vimy Ridge, Hill 70 and Lens.  When the United States declared war Mr. Putnam applied for transfer to the American Army, but before the formalities necessary were completed he was seriously wounded while advancing in the attack on Passchendaele Ridge in November 1917, from which time he was confined to various hospitals until finally invalided out of service on February 6, 1919. His outstanding war records was forcibly brought to mind by a large delegation from the Woodstock, N.B. Post of the British Legion who, under the command of Colonel Bull, Mr. Putnam's former battalion commander, drove twelve miles through intense cold to attend his funeral.

Prayers were held at Mr. Putnam's home at one o'clock for his immediate family who then, attended by the various military organizations assembled to pay honor to his memory, went to the Church of the Good Shepherd where the great masses of flowers that filled the sanctuary and chancel were evidence of the regard not only of those present but of the great number who were unable to find standing room in the church. The service of the Church of England was conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Mr. Jenkins, after which, escorted by Headquarters Battery, 152 Field Artillery, the massed colors of the Grand Army of the Republic, the American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and the British Legion, followed by a large detachment from Woodstock, N.B. Post of the British Legion, the Briggs Post of the American Legion and the last surviving members of Addison P. Russell Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and Houlton Lodge of Elks.  The casket, bearing his belt and helmet and draped with the British battle flag under which he so gallantly fought and followed by his family and friends was borne through the silent flag-hung streets to Evergreen Cemetery. There after the commitment service of the Church of England was read his comrades of the British Legion fired the three volleys and the bugler sounded Last Post. 

In August 1919, Mr. Putnam was married to Miss Madge Weldon, formerly a nurse at St. George's Hospital, London. Five children were born to this union, Joyce who died at age six years, Amos Weldon, age eight years, Kathleen, age six years, Joan, age five years and Madge who lived but two days.  Besides his widow and children he leaves his parents and one brother, Ervin E. Putnam, connected with the U.S. Veterans Hospital at Northampton, Mass.; three sisters, Margaret Putnam Greaves of Sherman Mills, Harriet Putnam Crates of Houlton, and Ruth Putnam Sleeper of Worcester, Mass.

Since 1921 Mr. Putnam has served as Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue with headquarters in Houlton. He was a member of Monument Lodge No. 96, F.&A. M.; Houlton Lodge 835 Bonevolent and Protective Order of Elks and of Chester L. Briggs Post 47 the American Legion.

Rev. David Jenkins gave an address on the life of the  _____

___ at the request of his wife read the well known lines of Kipplings:

E'en as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth,

In Simpleness and gentleness and honor and clean mirth.

His wife was unable to be present being sick with the same illness which had proven fatel to her husband.

At the request of his friend, Capt. Murray Cushing Dormell of H.M. Royal Horse and Field Artillery "the Read" by Lord Dunsany was read by Dr. E.C. Barton, representing the American Legion. This being the highest tribute to be paid by English officers.