Henry Paul Louis Bertocchi
World War I Veteran
By Camille Arbogast
Henry Paul Louis Bertocchi was born on May 2, 1900, at 84 Quincy Street in Roxbury, to Antonio and Delfina (Gazza) Bertocchi. Henry’s parents were born in Italy, immigrating to the United States in 1895. Antonio’s siblings included: Etlino, known as Albert, who was born in Parma, Italy in 1894, Delciza, known as Adele, born in Boston in 1898, Alfred born in 1902, George born in 1903, and Louis born in 1907. Antonio was employed as a laborer, coalman, and teamster. In 1907, the family lived at 82 Quincy Street. By 1916, they had moved to 152 Quincy Street. That July, Henry was arrested for disturbing the peace and placed on probation.
On December 12, 1917, Henry enlisted in the Regular Army at Fort Slocum, near New Rochelle, on Long Island, New York. Henry was initially assigned to the 25th Recruit Company, General Service Infantry. On December 14, he was transferred to Company H, 38th Infantry, 6th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Division. He was promoted to private first class on March 22, 1918. A week later he departed for France, leaving from Hoboken, New Jersey on March 29, sailing on the USS Mount Vernon.
The 3rd Division trained at the 9th (Chateauvillain) Training Area until the end of May, then moved to the Chateau-Thierry area. June 1 through 5, the 38th Infantry participated in the Aisne Defensive. After the engagement, they continued serving in the Chateau-Thierry sector. The Germans attacked on July 15; the Champagne-Marne defensive lasted until July 18. As the German troops withdrew, the 3rd Division advanced during the Aisne-Marne offensive of July 18 through 27. In early August, they were stationed in the Vesle sector. Henry was promoted to corporal on September 6. September 12 through 16, the 38th Infantry participated in the Saint Miheil offensive. On September 30, they began fighting in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, remaining in the battle through October 27. After the Armistice on November 11, the 3rd Division was part of the Army of Occupation. On April 14, 1919, Henry was made a private. A month later, he sailed from Marseille, France, on the SS Canada, as part of the Saint Aignan Casual Company No 4457 Special Discharges. He was discharged on June 10, 1919.
In January 1920, Henry was living at 6 Kent Court in Somerville with his brothers Lewis and Albert, along with Albert’s wife, Annie, and daughter, Delfina. He was possibly the Henry Bertocchi of 393 Warren Street, Roxbury, who was one of a trio arrested in August 1920 “after a chase in Roxbury … during which the police fired a shot to halt the men.” They were found guilty of “attempting to break into the home of Benjamin Lipsky, 4 May st, Roxbury.” “As [the police] approached the Lipsky house they saw some men run and chased them through Holborn st. to Gannett st. and Gaston st. … Bertocchi was arrested … on Blue Hill av.” Found guilty, Henry was given “a suspended sentence of six months in the House of Correction and placed … on probation for one year.” In the mid-1920s, Henry lived at 80 Woodcliff Street.
By 1929, Henry had moved to 96 Warren Street in Roxbury and had begun working as a chauffeur, his occupation for the rest of his life. He drove for the Boston Sanitary Division. In 1940, he was making $1,700 a year. Two years later, he reported that his workplace was on Battery Street in the North End.
Henry married Sarah E. Tierney, known as Sadie, in 1929. Sadie and Henry had three children: Joan, Paul, and Ronald. In 1930, Henry and Sadie lived at 40 Dennis Street in Roxbury. The next year, they resided at 96 Blue Hill Avenue. They had moved to 78 Forest Street in Roxbury by 1935. They returned to Blue Hill Avenue by 1938, when they lived at number 58. In 1942, they lived at 3 Presby Place, off Winthrop Street, near Blue Hill Avenue. They were living at 357 Dudley Street by 1944.
Henry died on August 2, 1944. A funeral was held at his home and a Solemn High Mass was celebrated for him at Saint Patrick’s Church on Dudley Street.
Sources
“Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915,” database: FamilySearch.org
Deaths, Boston Globe, 21 June 1955: 31; Newspapers.com
“Dorchester District,” Boston Globe, 18 July 1916: 9; Newspapers.com
Military, Compiled Service Records. World War I. Carded Records. Records of the Military Division of the Adjutant General’s Office, Massachusetts National Guard.
Lists of Outgoing & Incoming Passengers, 1917-1938, Records of the Office of the Quartermaster General, 1774-1985, The National Archives at College Park, MD; Ancestry.com
Battle Participation of the Organizations of the American Expeditionary Forces in France, Belgium and Italy 1917-1918. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1920; Archive.org
American Battle Monuments Commission. 3d Division Summary of Operations in the World War. Washington, DCUnited States Government Printing Office, 1944; Archive.org
Boston directories, various years; Ancestry.com
“Trio Caught in Roxbury Chase Put on Probation,” Boston Globe, 17 August 1920: 16; Newspapers.com
“Suspend Sentences of Three in Break Case,” Boston Globe, 18 August 1920: 20; Newspapers.com
“United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940,” NARA microfilm publication, St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985; FamilySearch.org
Reports of Proceedings of the City Council of Boston for the Year Commencing January 1, 1940, and Ending December 31, 1940. Boston: City of Boston Printing Department, 1941; Archive.org
Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Marriages [1916–1970]. Volumes 76–166, 192– 207. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society; Ancestry.com
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Deaths, Boston Globe, 6 August 1985: 18; Newspapers.com
Selective Service Registration Cards, World War II: Fourth Registration. Records of the Selective Service System, National Archives and Records Administration; Ancestry.com
“Evening Death Notices,” Boston Globe, 3 August 1944: 16; Newspapers.com