Gladys Louise Husted and her twin sister Dorothea Katherine were born November 28, 1886 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York joining older siblings Seymour LeGrand, Ellis Bowman and Mary Rebecca. Their parents Esther Whitmore Husted and Frederic Cromwell were married in 1866. Esther came from a very prominent and one of the wealthiest Brooklyn families. Father Frederic made his fortune after graduating from Harvard in railroads and banking. He also served as the treasurer of the Mutual Life Insurance Company for over twenty years. Her brother Ellis tragically died while visiting his uncle at the age of 16 in 1892.
The twin sisters were said to be inseparable and devoted to each other throughout their lives. They had been born into wealth and privilege to say the least and had all the advantages, as being educated at the private Brearley School in New York and allowed to travel to Europe as young ladies. Their mother Esther passed in 1909 at the age of 62. At age 24 Gladys made application for a US Passport on February 15, 1911 and was described as 5 foot 8 inches tall, brown eyes and hair with a fair complexion. She stated she was going abroad for two years. Three years later at the age of 71, her Father, Frederic died leaving a fortune to the twins. brother Seymour and sister Mary Rebecca. It is said that in spite of their wealth they were somewhat frugal. They did purchase an apartment in New York and Gladys began publishing her poetry that was objected to by other family members as they thought it an invasion of privacy.
On April 6, 1917 the United Stated declared war on Germany and entered the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. Not only did the Red Cross need trained nurses but workers of all sort such as canteen workers and nurses’ aides. In January 1918, Gladys and Dorothea joined the Red Cross Canteen Service and sailed to France. They were stationed at Chalon-sur-Marne and Verdun serving in the canteen and helping out as nurses’ aides. Biographer Anne Dunn wrote in the book Poems-Gladys Cromwell, page 115 “For eight months they worked under fire on long day and night shifts; their free time was filled with volunteer outside service; they slept in ‘caves’ or under trees in a field; they suffered from the exhaustion that is so acute to those who have never known physical labor; yet no one suspected until the end came that for many months they have believed their work a failure, and their efforts futile”.
After the Armistice, November 11, 1918 the sisters decided to remain in France but were urged by brother Seymour to return home which they finally agreed to. What happened next is widely documented. On the morning of January 19, 1919 they boarded the SS La Lorraine at Bordeaux, France harbor for the trip home to the United States. That evening at approximately 7:00 p.m. they were seen by a sentry leaping into the icy water below, first one then the other. Letters addressed to their brother Seymour were later found in their cabin but never made public. Documentation about the recovery of their remains could not be found but General Records Schedule (G.R.S.) Form 13 found at the National Archives showed her sister Dorothy was buried in a temporary cemetery, Grave 14, Row 11, American Plot, French City, Pauillac, Gironde on February 20, 1919, one month after the tragedy. Glady’s G.R.S. burial card is documented with March 22, 1919 as her date of burial in Grave 128, American Plot, Military Section, St. Eloi, French Cemetery, La Rochelle, Charente, Inferieure. Both G.R.S. forms remarked “suicide by jumping overboard SS “Loraine”. The same day as Gladys’ burial she and her sister were awarded the Croix de Guerre, a French military decoration to reward feats of bravery or heroic acts in the World War. The following year they were honored with the Médaille de la Reconnaissance française, the Medal of French Gratitude for those who came forward in France to aid the wounded, the sick, the families of fallen soldiers, the disabled, the blind, the orphans and the populations ruined by the invasion.
In October 1919, families of fallen Americans who were buried overseas were given the choice of leaving their sons/daughters buried in an American Cemetery in Europe or bring them home for reburial in a State/National Cemetery or a cemetery in their hometown. As the next of kin, brother Seymour chose to leave his sisters buried with those they served and served with. On October 28, 1921 Dorothy was reburied for the final time at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France, Plot B, Row 18, Grave 22. Six days later, November 3, 1921 Gladys was buried beside her sister in Grave # 23. Day is done, God is nigh.
Epilogue: The twins left a sizable fortune to her family members. Mother Esther was deceased therefore there was no one eligible to visit their graves under the Gold Star Mother’s legislation of 1929. Brother Seymour had a brilliant career on Wall Street but died in 1925 at the age of 62 after being thrown from his horse while trail riding with his wife. In 1948 Sister Mary Rebecca died of pneumonia at the Grand Hotel, Zürich, Switzerland at the age of 79.
The twin sisters were said to be inseparable and devoted to each other throughout their lives. They had been born into wealth and privilege to say the least and had all the advantages, as being educated at the private Brearley School in New York and allowed to travel to Europe as young ladies. Their mother Esther passed in 1909 at the age of 62. At age 24 Gladys made application for a US Passport on February 15, 1911 and was described as 5 foot 8 inches tall, brown eyes and hair with a fair complexion. She stated she was going abroad for two years. Three years later at the age of 71, her Father, Frederic died leaving a fortune to the twins. brother Seymour and sister Mary Rebecca. It is said that in spite of their wealth they were somewhat frugal. They did purchase an apartment in New York and Gladys began publishing her poetry that was objected to by other family members as they thought it an invasion of privacy.
On April 6, 1917 the United Stated declared war on Germany and entered the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. Not only did the Red Cross need trained nurses but workers of all sort such as canteen workers and nurses’ aides. In January 1918, Gladys and Dorothea joined the Red Cross Canteen Service and sailed to France. They were stationed at Chalon-sur-Marne and Verdun serving in the canteen and helping out as nurses’ aides. Biographer Anne Dunn wrote in the book Poems-Gladys Cromwell, page 115 “For eight months they worked under fire on long day and night shifts; their free time was filled with volunteer outside service; they slept in ‘caves’ or under trees in a field; they suffered from the exhaustion that is so acute to those who have never known physical labor; yet no one suspected until the end came that for many months they have believed their work a failure, and their efforts futile”.
After the Armistice, November 11, 1918 the sisters decided to remain in France but were urged by brother Seymour to return home which they finally agreed to. What happened next is widely documented. On the morning of January 19, 1919 they boarded the SS La Lorraine at Bordeaux, France harbor for the trip home to the United States. That evening at approximately 7:00 p.m. they were seen by a sentry leaping into the icy water below, first one then the other. Letters addressed to their brother Seymour were later found in their cabin but never made public. Documentation about the recovery of their remains could not be found but General Records Schedule (G.R.S.) Form 13 found at the National Archives showed her sister Dorothy was buried in a temporary cemetery, Grave 14, Row 11, American Plot, French City, Pauillac, Gironde on February 20, 1919, one month after the tragedy. Glady’s G.R.S. burial card is documented with March 22, 1919 as her date of burial in Grave 128, American Plot, Military Section, St. Eloi, French Cemetery, La Rochelle, Charente, Inferieure. Both G.R.S. forms remarked “suicide by jumping overboard SS “Loraine”. The same day as Gladys’ burial she and her sister were awarded the Croix de Guerre, a French military decoration to reward feats of bravery or heroic acts in the World War. The following year they were honored with the Médaille de la Reconnaissance française, the Medal of French Gratitude for those who came forward in France to aid the wounded, the sick, the families of fallen soldiers, the disabled, the blind, the orphans and the populations ruined by the invasion.
In October 1919, families of fallen Americans who were buried overseas were given the choice of leaving their sons/daughters buried in an American Cemetery in Europe or bring them home for reburial in a State/National Cemetery or a cemetery in their hometown. As the next of kin, brother Seymour chose to leave his sisters buried with those they served and served with. On October 28, 1921 Dorothy was reburied for the final time at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France, Plot B, Row 18, Grave 22. Six days later, November 3, 1921 Gladys was buried beside her sister in Grave # 23. Day is done, God is nigh.
Epilogue: The twins left a sizable fortune to her family members. Mother Esther was deceased therefore there was no one eligible to visit their graves under the Gold Star Mother’s legislation of 1929. Brother Seymour had a brilliant career on Wall Street but died in 1925 at the age of 62 after being thrown from his horse while trail riding with his wife. In 1948 Sister Mary Rebecca died of pneumonia at the Grand Hotel, Zürich, Switzerland at the age of 79.
Gladys Louise Husted and her twin sister Dorothea Katherine were born November 28, 1886 in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York joining older siblings Seymour LeGrand, Ellis Bowman and Mary Rebecca. Their parents Esther Whitmore Husted and Frederic Cromwell were married in 1866. Esther came from a very prominent and one of the wealthiest Brooklyn families. Father Frederic made his fortune after graduating from Harvard in railroads and banking. He also served as the treasurer of the Mutual Life Insurance Company for over twenty years. Her brother Ellis tragically died while visiting his uncle at the age of 16 in 1892.
The twin sisters were said to be inseparable and devoted to each other throughout their lives. They had been born into wealth and privilege to say the least and had all the advantages, as being educated at the private Brearley School in New York and allowed to travel to Europe as young ladies. Their mother Esther passed in 1909 at the age of 62. At age 24 Gladys made application for a US Passport on February 15, 1911 and was described as 5 foot 8 inches tall, brown eyes and hair with a fair complexion. She stated she was going abroad for two years. Three years later at the age of 71, her Father, Frederic died leaving a fortune to the twins. brother Seymour and sister Mary Rebecca. It is said that in spite of their wealth they were somewhat frugal. They did purchase an apartment in New York and Gladys began publishing her poetry that was objected to by other family members as they thought it an invasion of privacy.
On April 6, 1917 the United Stated declared war on Germany and entered the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. Not only did the Red Cross need trained nurses but workers of all sort such as canteen workers and nurses’ aides. In January 1918, Gladys and Dorothea joined the Red Cross Canteen Service and sailed to France. They were stationed at Chalon-sur-Marne and Verdun serving in the canteen and helping out as nurses’ aides. Biographer Anne Dunn wrote in the book Poems-Gladys Cromwell, page 115 “For eight months they worked under fire on long day and night shifts; their free time was filled with volunteer outside service; they slept in ‘caves’ or under trees in a field; they suffered from the exhaustion that is so acute to those who have never known physical labor; yet no one suspected until the end came that for many months they have believed their work a failure, and their efforts futile”.
After the Armistice, November 11, 1918 the sisters decided to remain in France but were urged by brother Seymour to return home which they finally agreed to. What happened next is widely documented. On the morning of January 19, 1919 they boarded the SS La Lorraine at Bordeaux, France harbor for the trip home to the United States. That evening at approximately 7:00 p.m. they were seen by a sentry leaping into the icy water below, first one then the other. Letters addressed to their brother Seymour were later found in their cabin but never made public. Documentation about the recovery of their remains could not be found but General Records Schedule (G.R.S.) Form 13 found at the National Archives showed her sister Dorothy was buried in a temporary cemetery, Grave 14, Row 11, American Plot, French City, Pauillac, Gironde on February 20, 1919, one month after the tragedy. Glady’s G.R.S. burial card is documented with March 22, 1919 as her date of burial in Grave 128, American Plot, Military Section, St. Eloi, French Cemetery, La Rochelle, Charente, Inferieure. Both G.R.S. forms remarked “suicide by jumping overboard SS “Loraine”. The same day as Gladys’ burial she and her sister were awarded the Croix de Guerre, a French military decoration to reward feats of bravery or heroic acts in the World War. The following year they were honored with the Médaille de la Reconnaissance française, the Medal of French Gratitude for those who came forward in France to aid the wounded, the sick, the families of fallen soldiers, the disabled, the blind, the orphans and the populations ruined by the invasion.
In October 1919, families of fallen Americans who were buried overseas were given the choice of leaving their sons/daughters buried in an American Cemetery in Europe or bring them home for reburial in a State/National Cemetery or a cemetery in their hometown. As the next of kin, brother Seymour chose to leave his sisters buried with those they served and served with. On October 28, 1921 Dorothy was reburied for the final time at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France, Plot B, Row 18, Grave 22. Six days later, November 3, 1921 Gladys was buried beside her sister in Grave # 23. Day is done, God is nigh.
Epilogue: The twins left a sizable fortune to her family members. Mother Esther was deceased therefore there was no one eligible to visit their graves under the Gold Star Mother’s legislation of 1929. Brother Seymour had a brilliant career on Wall Street but died in 1925 at the age of 62 after being thrown from his horse while trail riding with his wife. In 1948 Sister Mary Rebecca died of pneumonia at the Grand Hotel, Zürich, Switzerland at the age of 79.
The twin sisters were said to be inseparable and devoted to each other throughout their lives. They had been born into wealth and privilege to say the least and had all the advantages, as being educated at the private Brearley School in New York and allowed to travel to Europe as young ladies. Their mother Esther passed in 1909 at the age of 62. At age 24 Gladys made application for a US Passport on February 15, 1911 and was described as 5 foot 8 inches tall, brown eyes and hair with a fair complexion. She stated she was going abroad for two years. Three years later at the age of 71, her Father, Frederic died leaving a fortune to the twins. brother Seymour and sister Mary Rebecca. It is said that in spite of their wealth they were somewhat frugal. They did purchase an apartment in New York and Gladys began publishing her poetry that was objected to by other family members as they thought it an invasion of privacy.
On April 6, 1917 the United Stated declared war on Germany and entered the World War that had been raging in Europe since 1914. Not only did the Red Cross need trained nurses but workers of all sort such as canteen workers and nurses’ aides. In January 1918, Gladys and Dorothea joined the Red Cross Canteen Service and sailed to France. They were stationed at Chalon-sur-Marne and Verdun serving in the canteen and helping out as nurses’ aides. Biographer Anne Dunn wrote in the book Poems-Gladys Cromwell, page 115 “For eight months they worked under fire on long day and night shifts; their free time was filled with volunteer outside service; they slept in ‘caves’ or under trees in a field; they suffered from the exhaustion that is so acute to those who have never known physical labor; yet no one suspected until the end came that for many months they have believed their work a failure, and their efforts futile”.
After the Armistice, November 11, 1918 the sisters decided to remain in France but were urged by brother Seymour to return home which they finally agreed to. What happened next is widely documented. On the morning of January 19, 1919 they boarded the SS La Lorraine at Bordeaux, France harbor for the trip home to the United States. That evening at approximately 7:00 p.m. they were seen by a sentry leaping into the icy water below, first one then the other. Letters addressed to their brother Seymour were later found in their cabin but never made public. Documentation about the recovery of their remains could not be found but General Records Schedule (G.R.S.) Form 13 found at the National Archives showed her sister Dorothy was buried in a temporary cemetery, Grave 14, Row 11, American Plot, French City, Pauillac, Gironde on February 20, 1919, one month after the tragedy. Glady’s G.R.S. burial card is documented with March 22, 1919 as her date of burial in Grave 128, American Plot, Military Section, St. Eloi, French Cemetery, La Rochelle, Charente, Inferieure. Both G.R.S. forms remarked “suicide by jumping overboard SS “Loraine”. The same day as Gladys’ burial she and her sister were awarded the Croix de Guerre, a French military decoration to reward feats of bravery or heroic acts in the World War. The following year they were honored with the Médaille de la Reconnaissance française, the Medal of French Gratitude for those who came forward in France to aid the wounded, the sick, the families of fallen soldiers, the disabled, the blind, the orphans and the populations ruined by the invasion.
In October 1919, families of fallen Americans who were buried overseas were given the choice of leaving their sons/daughters buried in an American Cemetery in Europe or bring them home for reburial in a State/National Cemetery or a cemetery in their hometown. As the next of kin, brother Seymour chose to leave his sisters buried with those they served and served with. On October 28, 1921 Dorothy was reburied for the final time at Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial, Suresnes, Departement des Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France, Plot B, Row 18, Grave 22. Six days later, November 3, 1921 Gladys was buried beside her sister in Grave # 23. Day is done, God is nigh.
Epilogue: The twins left a sizable fortune to her family members. Mother Esther was deceased therefore there was no one eligible to visit their graves under the Gold Star Mother’s legislation of 1929. Brother Seymour had a brilliant career on Wall Street but died in 1925 at the age of 62 after being thrown from his horse while trail riding with his wife. In 1948 Sister Mary Rebecca died of pneumonia at the Grand Hotel, Zürich, Switzerland at the age of 79.
Inscription
GLADYS CROMWELL
CIVILIAN A.R.C.
NEW YORK JAN. 19, 1919
23
Gravesite Details
Nurse during World War I.
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