Welcome to
THE ALBERT LAURENCE BARTHLE FAMILY
Albert Laurence Barthle; Jan 11, 1896 - Sep 29, 1918
BARTHLE FAMILY -family tree INDEX (A list of the names) for DESCENDANTS click here
The life of Albert Laurence Barthle
(The second son of Frank & Alousia Barthle)
Albert was (killed in World War I)
Albert Lawrence Barthle
Born: Jan 11, 1896
Died: Sept 20, 1918
Buried: Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne France
Note: Dates were from the Military Records
This letter was sent from Stavele, Belgium on 26 December 1918. Albert Barthle, my uncle was killed 2 months prior.
Louise Barthele, 13 yrs old at the time, and her sisters Josephine and Beatrice were the recipients of this letter.
It was hand written.


                                                                                                       Stavele, Belgium
                                                                                                       26 December 1918
My dear Miss Barthle,
  Your inquiry of December 3rd came to me today. I am indeed very sorry to learn of your brothers death. Somehow I don’t understand this case for I have never been advised of his death by any hospital report.
I was very near your good brother when he was hit by a fragment from shell fire. I immediately sent him to the first aid station which was not more than 100 yards away. In about an hour I went to see him and found him very cheerful and apparently suffering no pain. He said “ Lt May, I think I can go back to the company for I am not badly hurt.” I than asked the doctor about him and learned that a piece of shell had penetrated his abdomen. The doctor said it was a serious wound but that they were just ready to put him in an ambulance and an operation would likely save him.
Of course I never saw him after that but as no report came to me I naturally figured he was getting along very well.
I must say of your brother that he was a most dependable and faithful fellow. Albert was one of the most willing men I have known. He had been in the front lines two days and three nights without sleep fighting- as only Americans can- before Albert was wounded. He was with my headquarters group so I had plenty of opportunity to watch his brave and gallent work.
My company had just been relieved of frontline fighting and was put in support for the day Sept 28th. He was hit early that day.
I regret very much to hear of his death. All the members of “I” company join me in extending to you our most sincere sympathy in your hours of sorrow.
With kindest personal sympathy, I am,
                                         Very sincerely yours
                                         Thomas E. May
                                         Capt Co “I” 362nd Inf