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Harry Montrose Lias with his mother, Florence Carter (center) and sisters Beatrice (left) and Sallie (right).
Image Credit: Family of the late Sallie Mae Parker, nee Lias.
Howard Lias, Harry's father.
Image Credit: Family of the late Sallie Mae Parker, nee Lias.
Harry (seated on the left)
Image Credit: Family of the late Sallie Mae Parker, nee Lias.
Early Life:
Early Life:
Harry Montross Lias was born April 6, 1889 in Waynesboro, Virginia to parents Howard Lias and Florence Carter. Harry’s father Howard was born and raised in Waynesboro. A few days after Christmas, in 1887, he married Florence Carter, daughter of James A. Carter, a domestic servant who later became a schoolteacher in Beverly Manor, VA. When Harry was 11 years old, his father was working as a butler in a local hotel and his mother worked as a nurse. Ten years later the family moved to Newark, New Jersey except for Howard, who remained in Basic City, Virginia. In 1912, Harry married Laura B. Morris in NYC.
Men on board the USS Pocahontas in 1917
Military Service: World War I
Military Service: World War I
Harry began his military service a few years later in 1916 when he enlisted in the National Guard, two years into World War I. At the time he enlisted, Harry worked in the office for Empire Square Realty Co.
On December 12th, 1917 Harry departed Hoboken, New Jersey on the USS Pocahontas and headed to Europe. Harry was a Sergeant in Co. A. 15th New York Infantry. The 369th Infantry formed from the National Guard’s 15th Regiment. Today we often refer to the 369th Infantry by its nickname The Harlem Hellfighters. The name Harlem Hellfighters was given to the men by German soldiers. The Harlem Hellfighters also served under the French Army for six months. For their service, they were awarded the Croix de Guerre by the French Army.
The 369th Infantry (old 15th National Guard) parade through New York City.
Remembering Harry
Remembering Harry
Ultimately, disease took his life while he was in Chantilly, France. On October 19th, 1918 Harry passed away from pulmonary congestion (fluid in the lungs) likely caused by the Spanish Flu. Major Lorillard Spencer of the Harlem Hellfighters spoke highly of Harry and wrote,“It is with deep regret I learn of the death of Liet. Harry M. Lias, one of the men chosen to go to the officers’ candidate school.He left a deep impression on the regiment, for in selecting these candidates the very best men among those whose whose educational qualifications would permit were chosen after careful consideration of their character as well as an examination. I remember Lias as one of the ablest and most conscientious men during the time in which I commanded the First Battalion.” News of Harry’s death reached Waynesboro in February of 1919. A newspaper article from the Staunton Daily Leader noted, “Young Lias is well remembered here and was highly thought of in the community…”
U.S. Army Passenger List for USS Pocahontas
U.S. Army Records for Harry M. Lias
The News Leader (Staunton, VA) October 20, 1989
A Memorial to Veterans: The Avenue of Trees Map
Harry's tree is number 182
Harry M. Lias 1889-1918
Harry is buried at Fairview Cemetery in Waynesboro, VA
A notice in the March 23, 1921 edition of the The News Leader noted that on the day of burial, "Taps was sounded by Melvin Lamb of the Griffith-Newman post, American Legion. A good turn-out of men from the post attended the funeral exercises, in uniform."
Contact us if you have more information on Harry M. Lias
Contact us if you have more information on Harry M. Lias
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