As far as I know, William A. Damm square doesn't exist any more. It appears to have been at the south edge of Forest Hills square, at an intersection that was destroyed when the elevated train line was removed. The memorial shown above is also shown below, without its tablet. I'm afraid that the bronze tablet was stolen from its place in the boulder and sold for scrap. Granted that capital punishment would be extreme for such a crime, but a good old-fashioned horse-whipping would be entirely appropriate.
Boston Daily Globe May 16, 1921
Forest Hills Square Dedicated To Memory Of William A. Damm - War Hero Tablet Also Unveiled at Parkman School - Military And Civic Parade Included Mayor Peters and Ex-Mayor Curley - Choruses by the Children
About 1000 Forest Hills residents participated in a military and civic parade yesterday afternoon in connection with the dedication of William A. Damm sq and the unveiling of a tablet to the boys of Forest Hills who served in the World War. John B. Archibald headed the committee in charge and Mrs J.B. McManus was chairman of the reception committee. The affair was under the auspices of the Francis Parkman Parent's Association.
The marchers received much applause as they passed through the streets of the Forest Hills section, headed by Commander J. Edward Murray of the Michael J O'Connell Post, A.L., who was chief marshall of the parade. His staff consisted of Commander Edward J. White of James C. Shea Post, A.L.; Hon Andrew J. Peters, Hon James M. Curley, Rev William J. Casey, Rev James G. Lane, J. Mitchel Galvin, Henry E. Lawler, John F. McDonald, C.P.O.,; James Kelley, U.S.N., chief of staff; Lieut George Lovejoy, Lieut James Flanagan Lieut Thomas Gately, Lieut Clement Morton, Sergt James Walsh, Sergt George Ainsworth and Ensign Alfred J. Moore.
Mayor Peters was accompanied by his sons, Alanson and Andrew Jr, who marched along the route. Mrs Peters and the other children rode in an automobile. Part of the way Ex-Mayor James M. Curley marched with the Legion boys. He was loudly applauded.
When the procession reached Hyde Park av and lower Walk Hill st William Damm sq was dedicated. Rev James G. Lane read the opening prayer. Hon James F. McDonald was the orator, and the school children, under the direction of A.J. Stanley, rendered the vocal numbers. The Nary Yard Band furnished the music.
From Damm sq to the Francis Parkman School, the parade roster was composed of police detail, M.J. O'Connell Post, A.L.; James C. Shea Post, A.L.; Navy Yard Band, St Andrew's Holy Name Society, Legion Auxilliaries, Francis Parkman Parent's Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls and the Men's Club of the Upham M.E. Church.
At the Parkman School, a bronze tablet was unveiled to the memory of 250 men of Forest Hills who served in the World War and the 10 who died. The following is the list of names of the latter inscribed on the tablet; Joseph W. Bonney, Charles F. Briggs, William Canary, William A. Damm, Lieut Thomas J. Enright, Alfred Peterson, Jordan E. Phee, Oscar Tugo and Albert Wetzler.
Hon James M. Curley was the orator, Hon J. Mitchel Galvin and Mayor Andrew J. Peters were speakers and Rev William J. Casey offered prayer, Sergt William F. Donnelly and C.P.O. John B. Brady unveiled the tablet and Col Fred Bogan accepted it for the School Committee. The Forest Hills Quartet sang.
Grand Army men who were unable to march in the procession were taken around by Mrs Pauline Green of Jamaica Plain, who offered her automobile for the old "Vets."
No comments:
Post a Comment