Company A leaving for Camp Devens :World War I, August 1917
Description:
Company A, Sixth Regiment of the Richardson Light Guard, was mustered into service on April 6, 1917. Less than 12 hours later, Company A was on its way to Fort Revere in Hull. On August 25th, the company was allowed to return home for a day before being sent to war. A farewell parade was held on Sunday which started at the Armory (now the Americal Civic Center) and ended at the Upper Train Station. According to Wakefield Massachusetts in the World War 1917- 1920, a book started by Emma Florence Eaton (who worked on the project from 1919-1921), and completed in 1935 under a W.P.A. project, more than 900 Wakefield men and women were enrolled in the various branches of the service. A total of 41 gave their lives to the cause, 97 were "gassed" or wounded, 27 received "decorations for valor," and 37 were cited for gallantry in action when the war ended in 1919. Pictured after the company passed through the town during the 1917 farewell parade, thousands of local residents returned to their homes or walked or rode to the train station for the final good-bye. It is interesting to note that the sign in the foreground reminds drivers to "keep to the right. Please observe the law." It is also important to not only note the dress on what was probably a hot August day, but to also note the cars, one of which has the steering wheel on the right. Image from the Wakefield Municipal Gas and Light Department annual calendar, 2019 Photo courtesy of the Wakefield Historical Society.
