Nielsen, Simon 1894-1918

NIELSEN, KNIGHT

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 4/17/2012 at 14:05:14

Hawarden Independent of June 5, 1919
Simon Nielsen killed in Battle October 1918
Mrs. Nielson receives official notice of her husband's death in France.
Mrs. Simon Nielsen of this city received offical notification that her husband's death occurred in France on the October 8th of last year. There have been several prior reports of his death but none of these had been verified and Mrs. Nielson still had some hope that her husband might still be alive although as the weeks passsed by and no word came from him that hope grew fainter and fainter and now has been completely dispelled. Mrs. Nielsen and baby daughter have been at the home of her mother Mrs. Geo. Knight for several months. They have the sincere sympathy of all in thier irreparable loss.
According to the information received Mr. Nielsen was wounded about 4:30 on Oct 8th near Xamnues France, while on duty at a machine gun post. He was struck in the back by a piece of shrapnel, which passed through his body, penetrating one lung. He and a comrade were on duty together and the shell burst between them killing the other lad instantly. Simon was taken to Xammes where he died about eight hours later and was buried in the cemetery there. He was a machine gunner of the 355th infantry in the 89th Division which unit recently arrived back in this country. He went from Canton April 27, 1918, to Camp Funston Kan and was sent overseas in June going first to England. He was born in Denmark Feb. 23, 1894 and came to the USA at the age of 11 years. Mr. and Mrs. Nielsen were married Dec 24, 1917 and a little daughter was born Nov 2, 1918 nearly a month after the death of the father on the field of battle. Mrs. Nielsen has also sreceived a letter from on of the boys of Simons' company who speaks most hightly of the service rendered by her husband to the country of his adoption. Mrs. Nielsen hopes to have his remains brought back to the US and if so interment will be made at Alcester.