MURRAY AMERICAN LEGION POST


The Murray Legion Post is the William Lochrie Post #405. Commander: Dale O'Neall. A newspaper clipping reports on the death of Pvt. W. C. Lochrie, the first Murray soldier killed in World War 1. Title of the article: SLEEPS BENEATH THE NATIVE SOD. Body of Willie Lochrie Arrives from Overseas and Is Given Military Burial Sunday--A Large Attendance at Funeral at M.E Church — Sermon by Rev. Proctor.

 

The body of another of the heroes in far-away France, where so many thousands of our boys paid the price with their life that we might live, now sleeps beneath the sod of his home­land, for which he so gloriously fought and won — but died. The body of Willie Lochrie, whose arrival in the United States was announced in the News two weeks ago, arrived in Murray Friday evening from Omaha, and on Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock the community turned out almost en masse to attend the funeral which was held at the Methodist church under the auspices of William Lochrie Post No. 405, the American Legion. As indicated above, the attendance was very large, the large edifice being entirely inadequate to accommodate the hundreds of friends who joined in paying this tribute to the fallen hero. To add to this manifestation of respect, the floral offering was beyond description. Banked upon the spacious platform were spread sweet perfumed symbols, bespeaking in a measure the deep appreciation of the great service rendered his country and the honest respect for his memory.

Rev. C. W. Proctor, pastor, delivered the funeral sermon, and was assisted in the service by Rev. E. W. Bowers, pastor of the Murray Church of Christ. The music was furnished by a mixed quartette and a beautiful solo was also rendered by Miss Mulligan of Indianola. Following these services, the remains were escorted to the Murray cemetery where the body was given a military burial.

So, Soldier, sleep; thy warfare's o'er; Sleep the sleep that knows no waking.
Dream of battle fields no more.
Days of danger, nights of waking.

 

 

 

 

 

William C. Lochrie, son of Warren G. And Dell Lochrie, was born in Murray, Iowa, September 26, 1892 and was killed in the battle of Chateau Thierry, July 28, 1918, age 25 years, 10 months and 2 days.

Willie, as he was familiarly called, moved to Garden City, Kansas, with his parents while in his childhood. Was a member of the National Guard while living in that state. He was on a visit to friends at Murray when he enlisted in Co. K of what was at that time the 3rd Regiment of the National Guard, which was later known as the 168th of the Rainbow Division. It was in the spring of 1917 that he enlisted and it was early in August of that year when his Company left the Company barracks at Corning, Iowa. He was injured while on duty at Minneola and was not permitted to go overseas until the following winter. It is known that his physical condition was not good and that he had not fully recovered but pluckily he determined to do a soldier's part and bravely was advancing on the enemy when he was instantly killed on the date given.

His name is honored. The local Post of the American Legion is known as the Wm. Lochrie Post No. 405. He died defending the honor of his country and its flag, leaving his mother, (his father having passed away but a short time before his death) and two brothers, Clyde and George, and numerous other relatives and a host of friends.

 

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Last Revised April 10, 2015