Norfolk Hero Is Dead Overseas From His Wounds

Private Frank Chamberlain, son of John A. Chamberlain, 506 South Seventh street, died of wounds in the general English army hospital at Dannes Camiers on Oct. 23, according to a telegram received by his parents late Monday afternoon. He was severely wounded in action and his parents here were notified when he was first brought to the hospital. Later a telegram arrived saying his condition was critical and Monday afternoon the director of records at Ottawa, Canada, announced that the heroic American youth had died from his wounds.

His body will be buried overseas. He is the twelfth Norfolk boy to lose his life while in the service against the German enemy. He was listed as an infantryman with the Canadian forces but his name goes on the Norfolk records and shines among the twelve golden stars on the city’s roll of honor.

Private Chamberlain’s sacrifice for humanity is typical of the loyalty and patriotism which has been displayed by hundreds upon hundreds of American youths who for some reason were unable to pass the requirements of the American army and who found the Canadian recruiting service easier to get into. Chamberlain had plenty of chance to get into the limited service of the American army, but he wanted to see real fighting. He tried in vain to pass the American recruiting officers last January and even went to Kansas City in an effort to get into the service. There, too, the recruiting officers of the American service found that their rules would not allow the acceptance of a boy who was slightly lame in one foot.

Chamberlain undaunted visited the Canadian recruiting office at Kansas City and applied for admission into the infantry. He was accepted and sent to Ottawa and thence overseas with a new regiment of Canadians. He participated in some of the heavy fighting in which the British forces were engaged in their victorious sweep on the northern end of the western battle front. That he was seriously wounded in action is all that has been learned of Chamberlain’s army service and the golden star through which the community pays this soldier respect indicates that his great sacrifice for humanity will not be forgotten.

Private Chamberlain was 21 years old and was born in Washington county. He lived in and around this community all of his life. He attended country schools in this locality and was well known. – Norfolk News.

Frank was a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. G. S.s Van Deusen, of this city, and a nephew of Hugh Wright and also of the editor of the Pilot.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~