Thorpe, Kenneth A. 1899-1921

THORPE, IRISH

Posted By: Paul Van Dyke-volunteer
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

Source: Sioux County Index (4-8-1921)

Born: June 25, 1899
Died: March 28, 1921

IS LAID TO REST BY HIS COMRADES, VETERAN OF WORLD WAR, NEVER FULLY RECOVERED FROM ITS EFFECTS OF THE DEADLY GAS

Kenneth Allan Thorpe, a veteran of World War, died Monday at Ames and was buried here today with full military honors in the Whiting Cemetery.

Thorpe, 21, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred and Cassie (Irish) Thorpe of Whiting. He was to have been initiated this week into the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Ames, where he was a sophomore. He was a member of the B.P.O.E. and the Masonic Lodge. His illness was the final culmination of the strain on his system due to his constant work as officer dispatch bearer on motorcycle over the shell torn battle fields of France, together with the gassing he received.

The funeral was held in the Congregational Church at Whiting at 2 o’clock this afternoon, Reverend Mr. Barsaiou officiating. A delegation of the fraternity brothers from Ames attended. Masonic and full military honors accompanied the interment.

Kenneth A. Thorpe enlisted May 7, 1917, at Fort Logan, Colorado and was in training in the United States until December 4, 1917, when he sailed for Europe. His foreign service was with the 12th squadron and he saw active service in the Champagne-Marne defensive July 15 to 18, 1918; in the Aisne-Marne offensive July 18 to August 6 and in the Mouse-Argonne offensive September 26 to November 11, 1913. In addition he served nine months at Cablonz with the A.E.F. and made several trips down the Rhine and the Moselle. He returned to the United States on June 16, 1919 and was honorably discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa, July 7, 1919.