William Henry Simmons (Will) in WWI

Will Simmons in Germany

at the close of WWI 1919

Continuation of history as compliled by Roland E Simmons, great-nephew of William Henry (Will) Simmons.

“At the beginning of World War I, Will enlisted in the army and served nearly one and one-half years in France and Germany. He was wounded and carried a piece of shrapnel in his back several years.” Will served with the 148th Field Artillery unit, which included a group of young men from Cowley. His unit was in the middle of the combat that was involved in the intense fighting in France and Germany. Because of their excellence they were chosen to be a part of the allied occupational forces that were first to enter Berlin.

In a conversation with Walter Robb, Will’s cousin nephew, it was revealed that during one of the battles of the war that Will saved the life of Arza Welch, one of the Cowley men. A letter appeared in “The Cowley Progress” from W.A. Bowlen, one of the Cowley men on February 14, 1919, which told of life in the battle zone. He mentioned that Will was a machine gunner and also that the fear next to being shot was that of being gassed. “Gas would be in the grass and as we passed through it the gas would get into our lungs. It caused dysentery and as many soldiers were taken to hospitals for that as wounds.”

In closing out Will’s war experience we are lucky to have a copy of the letter hat he wrote to his friend Emil Vaterlaus the editor of “The Cowley Progress.”

“Cowley Progress April 4, 1919

“Billie” Simmons Writes to Progress from Chermany.

Mr. Emil Vaterlaus, Cowley, Wyoming.

Dear Old Pal:

It is with great pleasure I sit down to drop you a few lines and let you know how we Cowley boys are getting along.

We all feel well and fine, but get terribly homesick at times, for now that “it’s all over, over here,” we’d all like to go back to peter the good people “over there,” that is some of them but not those that though we were only good enough for the Boche to shoot at. But believe, dear pal, the Huns did shoot at us and that a whole lot too as a result of which we had the sad misfortune to lose one of Cowley’s best soldiers and one wounded -- Everett and Alvin Maxwell respectively. But the Maxwell’s can feel easy for Everett received a much better burial than many of the high officers. He was buried very decently, and his grave was dedicated and we put a nice cross at the head of it.

Well, Emil. I will come home much wiser and a whole lot poorer, physically, than when I left home. I weigh barely 150 pounds now. I got loaded up with a bunch of that poison Hung gas and it hurt me considerably. It happened while in our last position, but I am sure feeling fine now.

We are located in a little town called Hoehr, a great pottery and pipe manufacturing town. Will be able to tell you many things when we get home, as we were in all the battles from July 5 clear thru to the end. Were at Chateau, Thierry, St. Miehlel and in the Argonne Woods, all for a long period, and believe me, us toughs from Cowley gave the Boches some of our “black angel” zip and we all gave an accounting of ourselves that Cowley need never be ashamed of us. The 148th certainly made a good record, else we wouldn’t be in the army occupation now..

Best regards to you and all inquiring friends.

As ever your loving friend, W.H. Simmons

Hoehr, Germany, March 19, 1919

After the war Will returned home to Cowley where he continued to farm and ranch. During the years that Will lived in Cowley there were always articles showing up in “The Cowley Progress” of Will’s hunting and fishing expeditions with family and friends. His favorite places to hunt and fish were Yellowstone National Park, Beartooth Mountains, the Jackson Hole area, Deep Lake, Devil’s Canyon and the Big Horn Mountains.

As Will got older his health got worse and he had to discontinue hard physical labor. His wounds suffered during the war caused him to spend time being treated at various Veterans hospitals. He spent time at the Veterans Hospital in Fort Harrison, Montana as well as in Denver at Fitzsimmons Veterans Hospital. In between treatments he would return to Cowley to be with old friends and family.

Will Simmons, Casper Wyoming 1961

 Finally, Will’s condition required permanent hospital care and he was admitted to the Veteran’s Care Center in Hot Springs, South Dakota and later to the Veteran’s Hospital in Sheridan where he died September 14, 1975, at the age of 90. His funeral was held in the Cowley, LDS Chapel and he was buried in the Cowley Cemetery next to his wife and baby.