Kersbergen, Gerrit, 1895-1918

KERSBERGEN, VANDEWEERD, VANDERVELDEN

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/16/2016 at 17:17:24

From the Rock Valley Bee, October 25, 1918:

GERRIT KERSBERGEN DEAD

Mr. and Mrs. H. VandeWeerd received the following telegram Wednesday from Acting Adj. Gen. Harris at Washington, D.C.

"Deeply regret to inform you that it is officially reported that Private Gerrit Kersbergen, infantry, died of spinal cerebro meningitis October 1st."

This is all the information received but they are expecting a letter from head quarters soon. They think Gerrit is either in England or France. He went across about two months ago and evidently contracted the disease soon after landing. The message announcing his death was the first they knew that he had been sick.

The deceased was born June 6th, 1895, at Knocker, Missouri. Later his people moved to Rock Valley and from here they went to Chandler, Minn. Gerrit was drafted from Minnesota the 26th of last May.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, November 8, 1918:

ARMY CHAPLAIN WRITES LETTER OF CONSOLATION

Mrs. H. VandeWeerd received the following letter from an army chaplain, confirming the message she received a few weeks ago, telling her about the death of her son, Gerrit in France:

Classification Camp A. P. O. 727,
October 2, 1918.
Mrs. Anna VandeWeerd,
Rock Valley, Iowa,
Dear Madam:

Many questions have arisen in your mind since receiving the wire from the War Department, I am sure. It is a sad letter that confirms the message, yet I trust your patriotism will help you to accept the sacrifice which God and the Country asks of you. Your son Gerrit was brave to the end. He was ready to go over the top and lay dow his life for love of God and Country. He was also resigned to the Will of God in his last hours, and repeated frequently, "The Will Be Done."

The following is the official report: "Private Gerrit Kersbergen 3,130,385 Co. C. 162 Inf. admitted to Camp Hospital No. 26, Sept. 27, 1918, from infirmary, diagnosed influenza, cero-spinal menengitis[sic] developed Sept. 28, died Oct. 1st, 1918 at 6 p.m., cause originated in the service, and was not the result of soldier's misconduct."

His remains were laid to rest with military honors in grave No. 77, in the United States Cemetery at St. Argaan-Noyers[?], Department of Liore at Oher[?], France.

Trusting that you may find consolation from these details, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
James G. Tongas, Chaplain.

[The newspaper text was rather fuzzy and the cemetery name is unclear. This cemetery is not included as such in the list of American Cemeteries in France, posted from the American Battle Monuments Commission on the U.S. Embassy-Paris website (consulted 1/16/2016).]

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From the Rock Valley Bee, January 13, 1922:

MILITARY FUNERAL

The remains of Gerrit Kersbergen, who died while in the service in France, arrived Tuesday and funeral services were held at the First Reformed church in Rock Valley Wednesday afternoon, sermon by Rev. Colenbrander. The funeral was in charge of the local American Legion Post who escorted the remains where services were held with military honors.

Gerrit Kersbergen was born at Krocker, Missouri, June 6, 1895 and was at the time of his death twenty-three years, three months and twenty-five days old. While he was yet a small boy, his parents moved onto a farm near Rock Valley, and a few years later, they moved to Chandler, Minn. He entered the service from Chandler with Co. C. 162nd. infantry. He was first sent to Camp Lewis, Washington, and there to Camp Mills, N.Y., and then across to France where he contracted cerebro spinal meniggitis[sic] from which he died Oct. 1, 1918, a little over four months after he had entered the service. He was a young man who was well thought of by his comrades and friends at home, and his untimely death is very much regretted.

He leaves his mother, Mrs. H. Van deWeerd of Rock Valley, and six brothers and four sisters as follows: John, Cornelius, Albert, Arie, Harry and Frank; Mrs. Drier, Mrs. T. V. Rogers, Wilhelmina and Anna. The bereaved mother and brothers and sisters have the sincere sympathy of many friends in the loss of their son and brother.

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A 1919 Minnesota state law (Ex Sess Laws 1919 c49) authorized the payment of bonuses to Minnesota service members. The online index to the Minnesota State Archives' World War I bonus files includes Kersberger, Gerritt, warrant no. 115029 -- deceased; warrant issued to Mrs. A. Vande Weird, mother of warrantee; warrant mailed to Rock Valley, Sioux County, Iowa. A copy of the bonus file may be obtained from the Minnesota Historical Society.

Also in the Minnesota State Archives is a Gold Star Roll form for him. These forms were sent to the next of kin of persons who died during World War I and were filled out by them. The online Gold Star Roll index has him as Garrett Kersbergen; born 6/6/1895 in Missouri; mother's maiden name Vandervelden; resided in Iowa prior to military service; died 10/1/1918 of disease; the form includes a photograph. A copy of the Gold Star roll and photograph may be obtained from the Minnesota Historical Society.