This cenotaph has been placed in Highland cemetery, near the graves of his parents and other relatives. However, he is buried in France: Actual burial here
NOTE: This cenotaph appears to give his date of death as November 11, 1918 (which is the day the war ended). However, his gravestone in France lists his date of death as July 18, 1918. An official casualty listing from August 1918 listed him as "wounded, degree undetermined." His death was not officially announced until March 1919.
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From the Thursday March 27, 1919 Poughkeepsie Eagle News:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RANDOLPH A. SHAFER
A memorial service in memory of the late Corporal Randolph A. Shafer was held in the New Paltz M. E. Church last Sunday afternoon at __ (?) o'clock. Corporal Shafer enlisted in the U. S. Army at the age of 17, on April 17, 1917, in Co. F. 9th Division. He sailed for France August 17, 1917, being one of the first to leave for the seat of war. He sent many letters to his friends, the last of which was addressed to a cousin and was written July 18, 1918. Upon that very day he was wounded, but the extent of his injuries was undetermined. No further news was received concerning him until March __ (?) when a telegram arrived stating that he was dead.
The church was very tastefully decorated with American and French flags. The edifice was filled with a large number of friends who wished to pay their last respects to the memory of the deceased. In addition to the relatives, the local firemen attended the service in a body. A delegation was also present from Highland. Rev. James Douglass, pastor of the church, delivered the address. Remarks were also offered by Mr. Howard Wilcox, of Highland, a friend of the deceased. The vocal selections were rendered by a quartette consisting of Mr. John ___ (?), Mr. Jay LeFevre, Mr. H. G. Gregory and Mrs. James Douglass. The entire service was very impressive and was a fitting tribute to the memory of one who had made the supreme sacrifice for his country and his flag.
NOTE: This cenotaph appears to give his date of death as November 11, 1918 (which is the day the war ended). However, his gravestone in France lists his date of death as July 18, 1918. An official casualty listing from August 1918 listed him as "wounded, degree undetermined." His death was not officially announced until March 1919.
****************
From the Thursday March 27, 1919 Poughkeepsie Eagle News:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RANDOLPH A. SHAFER
A memorial service in memory of the late Corporal Randolph A. Shafer was held in the New Paltz M. E. Church last Sunday afternoon at __ (?) o'clock. Corporal Shafer enlisted in the U. S. Army at the age of 17, on April 17, 1917, in Co. F. 9th Division. He sailed for France August 17, 1917, being one of the first to leave for the seat of war. He sent many letters to his friends, the last of which was addressed to a cousin and was written July 18, 1918. Upon that very day he was wounded, but the extent of his injuries was undetermined. No further news was received concerning him until March __ (?) when a telegram arrived stating that he was dead.
The church was very tastefully decorated with American and French flags. The edifice was filled with a large number of friends who wished to pay their last respects to the memory of the deceased. In addition to the relatives, the local firemen attended the service in a body. A delegation was also present from Highland. Rev. James Douglass, pastor of the church, delivered the address. Remarks were also offered by Mr. Howard Wilcox, of Highland, a friend of the deceased. The vocal selections were rendered by a quartette consisting of Mr. John ___ (?), Mr. Jay LeFevre, Mr. H. G. Gregory and Mrs. James Douglass. The entire service was very impressive and was a fitting tribute to the memory of one who had made the supreme sacrifice for his country and his flag.
This cenotaph has been placed in Highland cemetery, near the graves of his parents and other relatives. However, he is buried in France: Actual burial here
NOTE: This cenotaph appears to give his date of death as November 11, 1918 (which is the day the war ended). However, his gravestone in France lists his date of death as July 18, 1918. An official casualty listing from August 1918 listed him as "wounded, degree undetermined." His death was not officially announced until March 1919.
****************
From the Thursday March 27, 1919 Poughkeepsie Eagle News:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RANDOLPH A. SHAFER
A memorial service in memory of the late Corporal Randolph A. Shafer was held in the New Paltz M. E. Church last Sunday afternoon at __ (?) o'clock. Corporal Shafer enlisted in the U. S. Army at the age of 17, on April 17, 1917, in Co. F. 9th Division. He sailed for France August 17, 1917, being one of the first to leave for the seat of war. He sent many letters to his friends, the last of which was addressed to a cousin and was written July 18, 1918. Upon that very day he was wounded, but the extent of his injuries was undetermined. No further news was received concerning him until March __ (?) when a telegram arrived stating that he was dead.
The church was very tastefully decorated with American and French flags. The edifice was filled with a large number of friends who wished to pay their last respects to the memory of the deceased. In addition to the relatives, the local firemen attended the service in a body. A delegation was also present from Highland. Rev. James Douglass, pastor of the church, delivered the address. Remarks were also offered by Mr. Howard Wilcox, of Highland, a friend of the deceased. The vocal selections were rendered by a quartette consisting of Mr. John ___ (?), Mr. Jay LeFevre, Mr. H. G. Gregory and Mrs. James Douglass. The entire service was very impressive and was a fitting tribute to the memory of one who had made the supreme sacrifice for his country and his flag.
NOTE: This cenotaph appears to give his date of death as November 11, 1918 (which is the day the war ended). However, his gravestone in France lists his date of death as July 18, 1918. An official casualty listing from August 1918 listed him as "wounded, degree undetermined." His death was not officially announced until March 1919.
****************
From the Thursday March 27, 1919 Poughkeepsie Eagle News:
MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR RANDOLPH A. SHAFER
A memorial service in memory of the late Corporal Randolph A. Shafer was held in the New Paltz M. E. Church last Sunday afternoon at __ (?) o'clock. Corporal Shafer enlisted in the U. S. Army at the age of 17, on April 17, 1917, in Co. F. 9th Division. He sailed for France August 17, 1917, being one of the first to leave for the seat of war. He sent many letters to his friends, the last of which was addressed to a cousin and was written July 18, 1918. Upon that very day he was wounded, but the extent of his injuries was undetermined. No further news was received concerning him until March __ (?) when a telegram arrived stating that he was dead.
The church was very tastefully decorated with American and French flags. The edifice was filled with a large number of friends who wished to pay their last respects to the memory of the deceased. In addition to the relatives, the local firemen attended the service in a body. A delegation was also present from Highland. Rev. James Douglass, pastor of the church, delivered the address. Remarks were also offered by Mr. Howard Wilcox, of Highland, a friend of the deceased. The vocal selections were rendered by a quartette consisting of Mr. John ___ (?), Mr. Jay LeFevre, Mr. H. G. Gregory and Mrs. James Douglass. The entire service was very impressive and was a fitting tribute to the memory of one who had made the supreme sacrifice for his country and his flag.
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