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William John Read

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William John Read

Birth
Peshtigo, Marinette County, Wisconsin, USA
Death
12 Oct 1945 (aged 58)
Opportunity, Spokane County, Washington, USA
Burial
Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
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Was born to George Milton Read and Mary Ann "Nan" Slaughter in Peshtigo, Marinette, Wisconsin. Listed with family on 1900 census in Marinette, Wisconsin; on 1910 in North Yakima, Washington.

Served in World War I - from Dec 14, 1917 to June 11, 1919 as a Corporal in 18th Company 20th Engineers (Serial # 250848)

Married Susie Still Aug 19, 1919 in Opportunity, Spokane, Washington. Susie and he settled in Opportunity, Spokane, Washington where they were listed on the 1920 and 1930 censuses.

Served in World War I - was shipwrecked and swam ashore {see note at bottom of this account - unlikely he swam ashore} at Wales, England. He was in Company I, 6th and 20th Battallions, stationed in England. (From Samuel Slaughter Story).

He worked in a sawmill (1910), as a fruit farmer (1920) and as a checker in a lumberyard (1930).
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Pvt. Read, 18th Co., 20th Engineers, survived the torpedoing & sinking of the troopship "Tuscania" on 5 February 1918 in the North Channel between Scotland & Ireland by German submarine UB-77.

He returned from World War I aboard the "Santa Paula" in May 1919 as a corporal in the same unit.

On the "Tuscania," he listed his brother, Charles R. Read, of East 424 Indiana Avenue, Spokane, Washington, as his next-of-kin. On his return voyage, he listed his mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Read, Spokane, Washington.

After the "Tuscania" sank, men in lifeboats were carried by the tide to the isle of Islay, Scotland. Others were rescued by British destroyers and taken to Ireland. Due to the cold temperatures, it was not possible to survive long in the water that winter night. Wales is quite a distance from Scotland, and therefore William could not have swum there. It is not recorded that anyone was able to swim to safety due to the distance from land. - contribution from user Islay (#48898746).
Was born to George Milton Read and Mary Ann "Nan" Slaughter in Peshtigo, Marinette, Wisconsin. Listed with family on 1900 census in Marinette, Wisconsin; on 1910 in North Yakima, Washington.

Served in World War I - from Dec 14, 1917 to June 11, 1919 as a Corporal in 18th Company 20th Engineers (Serial # 250848)

Married Susie Still Aug 19, 1919 in Opportunity, Spokane, Washington. Susie and he settled in Opportunity, Spokane, Washington where they were listed on the 1920 and 1930 censuses.

Served in World War I - was shipwrecked and swam ashore {see note at bottom of this account - unlikely he swam ashore} at Wales, England. He was in Company I, 6th and 20th Battallions, stationed in England. (From Samuel Slaughter Story).

He worked in a sawmill (1910), as a fruit farmer (1920) and as a checker in a lumberyard (1930).
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Pvt. Read, 18th Co., 20th Engineers, survived the torpedoing & sinking of the troopship "Tuscania" on 5 February 1918 in the North Channel between Scotland & Ireland by German submarine UB-77.

He returned from World War I aboard the "Santa Paula" in May 1919 as a corporal in the same unit.

On the "Tuscania," he listed his brother, Charles R. Read, of East 424 Indiana Avenue, Spokane, Washington, as his next-of-kin. On his return voyage, he listed his mother, Mrs. Mary Ann Read, Spokane, Washington.

After the "Tuscania" sank, men in lifeboats were carried by the tide to the isle of Islay, Scotland. Others were rescued by British destroyers and taken to Ireland. Due to the cold temperatures, it was not possible to survive long in the water that winter night. Wales is quite a distance from Scotland, and therefore William could not have swum there. It is not recorded that anyone was able to swim to safety due to the distance from land. - contribution from user Islay (#48898746).

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CPL WILLIAM J READ 1887 - 1945 Co E 20 Engr SUSIE S READ 1889 - 1949



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