Max Lemley

The following profile was researched and compiled by Candice L. Buchanan and Glenn J. R. T. Toothman III, for www.RainDayBoys.com.

Birth: 11 May 1893 Mount Morris, Perry Township, Greene, Pennsylvania, United States

Parents: Lebius Aberil Lemley and Rowena Belle Varner

Residence at time of enlistment: Waynesburg, Greene County, Pennsylvania

Physical description: 5 feet 6 inches tall, florid complexion, blue eyes, brown hair

Death: Killed in action 7 September 1918 near the Vesle River, France

Age at death: 25 years old

Last resting place: Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Fère-en-Tardenois, Picardie, France

A cenotaph also exists for him in the family lot at Fairall Methodist Church Cemetery in Whiteley Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania.

Military rank: Serial No. 1241524. Private. Company K, 110th Infantry, 28th Division.

Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the spine.

Additional Information:

At the time war was declared on 6 April 1917, Max Lemley was working on his widowed mother’s farm in Franklin Township, Greene County, Pennsylvania. On 28 April 1917, Max enlisted with Company K, at that time part of the 10th Pennsylvania Infantry, National Guard.

Max survived the “Rain Day” battle, in which 18 of his Company K comrades fell. He continued with the Company until the fighting near the Vesle River during which he was killed in action on 7 September 1918.

SOURCES:

  • Association of the 110th Infantry, History of the 110th Infantry (10th Pa.) of the 28th Division, U.S.A., 1917-1919: a compilation of orders, citations, maps, records and illustrations relating to the 3rd Pa. Inf., 10th Pa. Inf., and 110th U.S. Inf. (Greensburg, Pennsylvania: Association of the 110th Infantry, 1920), 86, photograph of Max Lemley with caption; 238, Max Lemley service entry.
  • Oise-Aisne American Cemetery (Fère-en-Tardenois, Picardie, France), Max Lemley tombstone, Plot A, Row 13, Grave 8; personally read by Candice Buchanan and Glenn Toothman, 6 September 2017.
  • Pennsylvania State Archives, "PA National Guard Veterans' Card File, 1867-1921," digital images, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Pennsylvania State Archives Records Information Access System (www.digitalarchives.state.pa.us/archive.asp: viewed 14 January 2018), Max Lemley, Private, Co K, 10th Inf., P. N. G.; citing series #19.135.
  • "WWI Veterans Service and Compensation Files, 1917-1919, 1934-1948," digital images, Ancestry.com (http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=60884 : accessed 14 January 2018), Mrs. Roena Belle Lemley, mother of Max Lemley - application no. 304922; citing World War I Veterans Service and Compensation File, 1934–1948 (RG 19, Series 19.91), Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.