PHOTO

Randy Whitesell  randy1955{at}comcast.net  G-Grandnephew

See Casualty List:                              <click here>

William E. Vickers - Southwest City, Missouri

Army Rank: Private (1918).

Assigned Unit: 165th Depot Brigade, 77th Company

Army Serial Number:

Inducted:

Army Discharge: Eternal Watch

Remarks:  Overseas Jan. 24, 1918 – KIA

   Torpedoed on the Transport Tuscania Feb. 5, 1918

   Address: La Crosse, Kansas (1880)

   Address: Burlington, Kansas (1888)

   Address: Precient 8 (near Eagle Lake), Texas (1900)

   Address: Southwest City (Prairie Twp.), Missouri (1910)(1918)

Fathers Name: James Manford Vickers

  (b. Aug. 6, 1856 Bushnell, IL) (d. March 27, 1928 SW City, MO)

Mothers Name: Mary Arvilla Moon

   (b. March 3, 1861 MN) (d. June 6, 1930 Southwest City, MO)

Brothers: Ray, Clark, Edgar, Clarence, and James Vickers

Sisters: Charlotte, Mamie, and Inez Vickers

Civilian Occupation: Farm Laborer

Born: Dec. 28, 1888 Burlington, Kansas

Died: Feb. 5, 1918 at sea, Islay, Scotland

Buried: Feb. 8, 1918 Port Charlotte, Islay, Scotland

   Note: Body was exhumed in 1920 and sent to America for burial

Cemetery: ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY - Arlington, Virginia

Internment date: Sept. 20, 1920

Plot: SECTION EUR     SITE 485

I knew that William E. Vickers had died on the Tuscania, but I did not know that he was actually buried there in Scotland for a period of time until he was relocated to Arlington National Cemetery in 1920. I found the information very fascinating, and I forwarded it to my father, who also loves family history. William E. Vickers was my great grand-uncle on my father’s side of the family.

William was the first resident of Afton, Oklahoma, to die in World War I, and the local American Legion post there is named in his honor. Thank you for a wonderful website in memory of those who gave their lives for our benefit. 

Randy Whitesell

March 16, 2007