Dorchester Illustration no. 2360 Arthur Francis Williams
At the Dorchester Historical Society, we are in the process of a year-long project to commemorate the 100th anniversary of World War I. Using a collection of photographs we have of WWI Dorchester residents, we will be featuring servicemen in a number of short biographies throughout the year. At the culmination of the project, we hope to produce an online exhibit which highlights these men and their service to our country.
Our next biography features: ARTHUR FRANCIS WILLIAMS, 1924.0001.075
Arthur Francis Williams was born in New Haven, Connecticut, March 3, 1900, to Francis and Rose A. (McArdle) Williams. Francis was born in England and Rose was born in Connecticut. Her parents were from Northern Ireland. Francis was a Railroad Car Trimmer.
By 1910, the family of 3 was living at 341 Norfolk Street, Dorchester and the father was a Foreman in a Railroad Shop.
Arthur, of 19 Elmhurst Street, Dorchester, registered for the draft on September 12, 1918 at the local board for Division 21, 1169 Washington Street, Dorchester. He was a steamfitter’s helper employed by W.B. Shannon, Readville Repair Shops. He was of medium height and build with gray eyes and brown hair. He enlisted in the R.A. N.G. E.R.C. (Regular Army National Guard Enlisted Reserve Corps) and was inducted at Dorchester on October 31, 1918. He was assigned to 1st Co CAC (Coast Artillery Corps), Ft. Adams, Newport, R.I. through November 6, 1918, and then Co D 59th Ammunition Train until honorably discharged on December 21, 1918 at Ft. Adams, R.I. The photo shows A.F. Williams on the left. He was a member of the Overseas Outfit Awaiting Sailing Orders.
On back of the photo/postcard that was addressed to “Local board for Division 21, 1169 Washington Street, Dorchester, MA, and postmarked Nov 25, 1918, Newport, R.I., A. F. Williams wrote “Tough luck. I guess we must stay here at that. Did my best to get across.”
By 1920, the family is together again at 19 Elmhurst Street and Arthur is a Foreman, Railroad Car Shipper. In 1923, Arthur is listed as a student, but by 1930, his mother Rose was widowed and she had taken in a boarder. Arthur was no longer listed as living at home and no marriage record was found.
In 1940 census, there is an Arthur F. Williams, age 40, born New Haven, CT, single, who is a resident (“inmate”) of at least 5 years, of the Veterans Administrative Facility, Bedford, MA. His mother was still living at 19 Elmhurst Street with her sister. His mother died in 1950 and was buried in New Haven. The informant was not her son, but her nephew.
No death record of A.F. Williams was found.
Do you know more about Arthur Francis Williams? We would love to hear from you! All material has been researched by volunteers at the Dorchester Historical Society, so please let us know if we got something wrong or you think a piece of the story is missing!
REFERENCES:
Death Record, 1950, Vital Records, Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester
Dr. Perkins’ Notes
Draft registration, FamilySearch.org
Federal Census, 1900, 1920, Ancestry.com
Federal Census, 1910, 1930, 1940, FamilySearch.com
Service Record; The Adjutant General Office, Archives-Museum Branch, Concord, MA
U.S. City Directories, Boston 1923, Ancestry.com