Carl A. Grimes
Killed in France
DEATH CAME WHEN HIS PLANE COLLIDED IN MID-AIR AND FELL TO THE GROUND.
Miles, Tex., Jan. 16 - Lieut. Carl A. Grimes, aviator in the United
States army, was killed instantly in France on Nov. 6, when his machine collided
in mid air with another plane and fell to the ground out of control, according
to a letter received by R. A. Grimes, his father, who resides here, from
Lieutenant Grimes' commanding officer, who expressed high tribute to the
young man's character and ability as an officer. The letter follows:
"Headquarters 3rd Aviation Co.,
Dec. 9, 1918.
"Mr. R. A. Grimes, Miles, Tex.
My Dear Mr. Grimes: -- It is with deep regret that I have to inform
you of the death of your son, Second Lieut. Carl A. Grimes, A. S., at this
center at 11:15 a.m., Nov. 6, 1918, as the result of an aviation accident.
Lieutenant Grimes was a tester at one of the fields here and was flying
one of the smallest and fastest machines when the accident occured.
While making a regular flight in the line of duty. Lieutenant Grimes' machine
collided in mid air with another plane, and fell to the ground out of control.
Medical and mechanical aid were rushed to the wreck, but were too late, for
death was instantaneous. A careful investigation of the accident was made,
but nothing definite could be determined as to the cause.
"Permit me to offer you my sincere sympathy and the sympathy of a number
of the officers of my command in your great loss, a loss which we all share
with you. Lietenant Grimes was a good officer and a gentleman, a higher
tribute than which there is none. He always did his duty thoroughly and well,
and was exerting every effort to prepare himself to play a large part at
the front. He was universally admired and held in high esteem by his brother
officers, and I assure you his death was a sad blow to all of us.
"The remains of Lieutenant Grimes were interred with full military honors
in the United States army cemetery at this center and I shall see to it that
his grave bears the proper markings, so that it can be readily identified
at any time.
" Your son's effects have been sent to the Effects Depot, which is a
station established solely for the purpose of caring for the personal
belongings of those soldiers who give their lives in the service, and
the effects will there be handled in accordance with army rules and regulations.
If I have failed to give you any details which you are anxious
to have or if you wish any further information, I would suggest
that you communicate with the war department, Washington, D.C.
"Respectfully yours,
"HIRAM BINBHAM,
Lieut. Col. A. S., Conmdg."
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Further Notes:
Runnels County Probate Records
Grimes, Carl A., deceased
date filed: March 17, 1919
Case No. 584
Obituary contributed by Janet Clayton Gardner
My great grandmother, Mary Pearl Powers, created several scrapbooks in her
life time. (1879-1963) She was born and reared in Belton, Bell County,
Texas. Most of the newspaper articles she cut out and pasted into her
scrapbook were about people from Bell County. However, I found this one obituary
from Miles, Runnels County, Texas. |
