March 28, 2024

The Rehoboth Cannon World War I

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This cannon has stood in front of the American Legion Hall for 82 years and very few people know about its history. I thought that May would be a good time to share the history of this landmark.

I need to start on April 6, 1917 when the United States entered World War I.

Rehoboth sent 54 of its sons to fight on battle fields all over the world. They fought in trenches, endured the horrors of battle, and suffered the effects of gas used in that war. I have not found records that any of Rehoboth‘s sons died on the battlefield. After November 11, 1918 they came back to the small town of Rehoboth with war stories to tell and the horrors of war to remember for the rest of their lives. They called some of the bad memories shell shock, today it is called PTSD. David Frances never made it to the battlefield; he died in the Recruiting Camp at Syracuse, New York.

In 1919, the town voted to spend $250.00 for a tablet to honor the Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who served in World War 1. They also voted to spend $100.00 on a welcome home reception.

The tablet was made and hung in Goff Hall. It was placed next to the tablet with the names of Rehoboth’s sons who served in the Civil War. In 1955 the two tablets were moved from Goff Hall to the Memorial in front of Palmer River School.

In 1929 The American Legion Post 302 was organized in Rehoboth by World War I veterans. In 1931 the American Legion Post purchased the old Town Hall for $1.00 and it remains the Post's home. The area in front of the post was named Legion Square.

In 1934 Congressman Joseph W. Martin arranged for a World War I gun that had seen heavy action, to be placed in Legion Square. This Cannon may have seen action in France as there was a rumor for many years that it was a French gun. It is an American cannon and built in one of the earliest arsenals in this county. It is a model 1906 4.7 in cannon. It was built at the Watervleit Arsenal in Watervleit, New York. This arsenal has made guns since 1813 and is still active. The arsenal has a Museum that is open to the public.

The Legion Post has maintained the gun over the years, rebuilding the two wheels several years ago.

When you drive past Legion Square going either direction you now know the cannon's history. If you have a minute, think back and remember the Rehoboth lads who became the “Dough Boys” of World War I. They valiantly went off to fight in the “Great War” also known as the “War to end all Wars”.

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