By: Mark Holtsberry
Tragic story of two young men from Broughton, Earnest Earl Tilley and Frank Halley Doster.
Earnest was born in Broughton, Ohio, April 21, 1896. The son of George H. and Bertha Tilley. The family was living in Latty until around 1915, before moving back to Broughton. When the United States was soon to be drawn into war in Europe, men had to resister for the draft. Earnest registered in Broughton, June 5, 1917. He was listed as having a medium and slender build, gray eyes and dark brown hair. Earnest was single and working as a common laborer for Otto Slatter in Broughton. Earnest was called to serve his country, June 25, 1918.
Earnest was sent to training camping in Ross County, Ohio. He trained with the 16th Company, 4th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade. He served with this unit until July 15, 1918. He then was assigned to Company D. 334th Infantry until August 12, 1918 then reassigned to Company D. 2nd Development Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade until October 5, 1918, where he developed pneumonia and passed away, his father, George, was notified of his passing and Earnest was brought back to Paulding County, where he was buried in Pleasantview Cemetery Lot 85, Block 7, Grave 1.
Frank Halley Doster was born September 22, 1891 in Oakwood, Ohio. The son and third child of Milton Cassius and Susana Doster.
This family was living in Oakwood, moved to Allen County, Indiana before settling in Broughton. Milton’s work on the railroad kept the family moving around. On May 21, 1917, Frank joined Company B. 2nd Ohio National Guard out of Paulding. On June 5, 1917, Frank, along with his brother Alvie L., registered for the draft. Both brothers ended up serving in the same unit in Europe. He then served in Company B. until October 4, 1917. Then was assigned to 11th Company, 3rd Training Battalion, Camp Sheridan.
Frank was assigned to Company l.,145th Infantry, 37th Division, known as the Rainbow Division. On June 1, 1918, he was promoted to Private 1st Class. On June 15, 1918, he was sent to Hoboken, New Jersey, where he boarded the ship, Leviathon and shipped off to France.
Frank saw action in the Muese-Argonne, Ypres-Lys Defensive Sectors. On November 11, 1918, on the day the war was declared over, Frank was wounded and passed away the next day. His father, Milton, was notified of his death. Frank lies in the Flanders Field Cemetery number 1252, grave 18, row 4, block D. in Waregam, Belgium.
In 1929, the Federal Government was paying for the trip for mother’s, wive’s and daughter’s to go to visit the graves of their loved ones. Mrs. Susana Doster of Rural Route 1, Box 24 of Broughton, chose not to go and see her son’s grave.
To this day, the Belguim people maintain Frank’s grave, along with the thousands of others who died defending the lives of the Belgium people.
Now for the rest of the story, the Tilley’s and Doster’s lived beside each other in the little town of Broughton, Ohio.
… Until Next Time!
