Obituary Record

Roland Leroy (Fireman 1st Class U.S. Navy) Currier
Died on 10/17/1918
Buried in Blair Cemetery

Tribune 21 Nov 1918

Body of Roland Courrier* To Be Sent Here

A brief mention was made in these columns a few weeks since of the death of Roland Currier; his mother, Mrs. L. A. Southwick, has received the following communications relative to his death:

Mrs. Lucy A. Southwick, Blair, Neb.

Dear Madam: - Confirming the Navy Department’s telegram of Oct. 17 or 18, I regret to inform you of the death of your son, Roland Leroy Currier, late fireman first class U.S. Navy, at 6:33 a.m. Oct. 17, as a result of bronchial pneumonia complicating Spanish influenza.

Your son was sick but a few days and the last two or three days he was entirely free from pain.

Your son had maintained a very good record and had he lived it is quite likely that he would have distinguished himself within a short time by advancing to a petty officer. He was well liked by his shipmates among whom he had many close friends.

His remains and personal effects, a list of which are enclosed herewith, will be shipped to the United States by the first available transportation and you will be notified on the date of departure and the approximate arrival of the same in the states.

Your son had taken out Government Insurance to the amount of $5,000 in your name and you are advised that it will be necessary for you to communicate with the Bureau of Navigation, Navy Department, Washington, D.C., for collection of life insurance.

Please let me extend my heartfelt sympathy to you in your bereavement.

Very sincerely yours,

G. B. Bradshaw, Captain U.S. Navy

U.S.S. Pittsburg, Oct. 21, 1918

Madam – You have had, of course, the official noticed of the death of your son, Roland L. Currier, on board this ship. It is only just that you should also know that his character and work was much appreciated and that his officers and comrades among the crew share with you a deep sense of sorrow at his loss. He was unfailingly conscientious, he tried hard to please. He studied to improve the efficiency of his service and to advance his rating. One of his officers expressed his appreciation of him by saying that “he never had to be told twice what to do.”

You may rightfully be proud of him and of his part in the service which the present crisis demanded of so many young men. The country can never be too grateful to the mothers of the sons who have given themselves for service in this great fight for right and justice.

Very sincerely yours,

Philip C. King, Chaplain U.S.N.

Tribune 28 Nov 1918

The body of Roland Currier, son of Mrs. Lucy Southwick, will arrive in Blair on Friday, the 29th inst. and the funeral will be held in the yard at the home of J. F. Wentworth, at 2 o’clock p.m. Mrs. Wentworth is a sister of the deceased.

Pilot 30 Oct 1918

Mrs. Chas. Southwick received a telegram announcing the death of her son, Roland Leroy Currier, Oct. 17th, from pneumonia. He was 23 years, 1 month and 5 days old and was first class fireman on the U.S.S. Pittsburg. He had been in the service three years the 22nd of the coming November. While here at Blair he was employed by Hannus Grimm, John McKay and Abe Sutherland. He is survived by his mother, step father, Chas. Southwick, one sister, Mrs. Forest Wentworth and one brother, Arthur J. Currier, who is in the service with the Royal Canadian Dragoons, Chicontina P.O., Canada. Several dispatches have been received but the remains have not yet reached the U.S. As soon as the body arrives interment will be made in the Blair cemetery in charge of the Home Guards.

Plot 23 Oct 1918

Mrs. Southwick received a telegram from the government Sunday announcing the death of pneumonia of her son, Roland Currier. Roland was a first class fireman on the U.S. ship Pittsburg and he was on duty somewhere at sea when he died.

Pilot 20 Nov 1918

Mrs. Southwick Gets Letters From Navy Officers

The following letters from the commanding officer and chaplain of the U.S.S. Pittsburg, have been received by Mrs. Lucy A. Southwick of this city, concerning the son, Roland Currier, whose death occurred in European waters on October 17th of Spanish ‘flu’.

Roland enlisted in navy at Seattle, Wash. November 22nd, 1915, long before we entered the war. He has a brother, Arthur T. in the Canadian Dragoons. Mrs. Forrest Wentworth of this city is an only sister.

U.S.S. Pittsburg, Oct 21, 1918

Mrs. Mary A. Southwick 108 East Park St. Blair, Neb.

Dear Madam:

You have had, of course, the official noticed of the death of your son, Roland L. Currier, on board this ship. It is only just that you should also know that his character and work was much appreciated and that his officers and comrades among the crew share with you a deep sense of sorrow at his loss. He was unfailingly conscientious, he tried hard to please. He studied to improve the efficiency of his service and to advance his rating. One of his officers expressed his appreciation of him by saying that “he never had to be told twice what to do.”

You may rightfully be proud of him and of his part in the service which the present crisis demanded of so many young men. The country can never be too grateful to the mothers of the sons who have given themselves for service in this great fight for right and justice.

Very sincerely yours,

Philip C. King, Chaplain U.S.N.

Note: He is buried in Blair Cemetery in Blk 78 Lot 8 Grave 7; Find a Grave #114320718.

Note: * name mispelled.

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

Printed in the Tribune on 11/21/1918


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