Sex: Male. Birth: 25 Mar 1890 in Conestoga Centre, Pennsylvania Death: 18 Nov 1918 in France Burial: in Consenvoye, Meuse, France
Parents: Husband: John Z Wade 1869 - 1930.
Wife: Emma M 1869 - 1930.
There is a family story that a great-uncle served in World War I, and at the annoucement of the German surrender, jumped above the trenches,shouting in joy. He was promptly shot dead by the Germans, who had not gotten the word yet.
This is certainly William D Wade, the only son of John Z Wade, who indeed died on the very day the war ended. William enlisted in Conestoga and served with the 316th Infantry Supply Company from 11/3/1917 until his death.
At 5:00 AM on Nov. 11, 1918, the Armistice document was signed in Foch's railway carriage at Rethondes. At 11:00 AM on the same day, World War I came to an end. William's death is recorded the same day.
Another Conestogan to die in the war was Amos M Warfel, who died two days later. One may wonder if he was wounded in the same incident that killed William. The Warfels and Wades were well known to each other and intermarried.
A monument in Conestoga reads:
TO THOSE FROM CONESTOGA TOWNSHIP WHO IN THE SPIRIT OF SELF-SACRIFICE ENROLLED THEMSELVES IN THE SERVICES OF THEIR COUNTRY IN THE GREAT WORLD WAR 1917-1918
