Clarence Alexander Dunning (1889 - 1918)

Born 18 Oct 1889 in Chandler, Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Lottie Bell (Berrie) Prause — married 29 Apr 1914 in Charleston, South Carolina, United States

Died 29 Sep 1918 at age 28 in Bellicourt, Aisne, Picardie, France

Biography

Clarence was born in 1889. He passed away in 1918.

• Clarence A. Dunning was killed in action near Bellicourt, France on September 29, 1918. He was the only Summerville resident to die in World War I. This is his story:

In the late 1800s ad early 1900s, there was a tremendous amount of immigration into America. The largest immigrant population came from Germany. Clarence’s family immigrated to the U.S. at this time. While a number of the Dunning family immigrated to the United States, many family members (Cousins, Uncles, Aunts, Brothers and Sisters) remained in Germany for one reason or another, usually financial.

• Clarence was killed in action in France during World War I.
• Clarence was born in Charleston on October 18, 1889. He was the son of Francis A. Dunning and the former Catherine D. Busch of Summerville. Clarence grew up in Summerville, and lived on Gum Street. He had three brothers; John, Henry and Herbert, and one sister, Emma. Clarence was the second youngest child. He enjoyed a typical childhood, growing up in the small town life that Summerville offered. He attended Quakenbush Private School and Summerville Public School. Life was good for the young Summerville man, and on April 30th, 1914, Clarence was married to Lottie Bell Berrie. At that time, Clarence was employed as a grocery clerk by J.M. Dawling at 29 Wentworth Street in Charleston. The 1917 Charleston City Directory also lists Clarence as working in a grocery store at 343 East Bay Street. By 1917, almost all of the economic powers of the world were engulfed in “The War to end all War.” Although the United States had been supplying the allies with war materials and had armed US cargo ships to defend against German Raiders, she did not enter the fighting for the first 3 years of the war. During this time the country had been building its armed forces for possible entry into the war. Local draft boards were busy gathering candidates for military service. To comply with the Selective Conscription Law, 27 year old Clarence filled out a Registration Card for Local Board No. 1. All across America, young men were being classified by local draft boards. Clarence was called to report for a classification physical examination on August 29, 1917. He received his Class 1 candidacy on January 21, 1918. Clarence was ordered to report for Basic Military Training at Camp Jackson in Columbia, SC on March 30, 1918. His military service was about to begin.

He officially enlisted in the army on April 1, 1918. Camp Jackson was created in 1917 as the U.S. entered World War I. The site was announced by Douglas MacArthur, who was then a major but became one of the most famous generals in American history. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce raised $50,000 to purchase the former Hampton Estate. Residents donated 1,192 acres. And the federal government purchased 19,700 acres and leased thousands more for the facility. After Basic Training in Camp Jackson for one month, Clarence was then transferred to the thirteenth division, which was then in training at Camp Sevier, in Greenville, SC.

Clarenceproved equal to the task of learning to become a soldier. He wanted to serve his country, but because so many of his family members had not emigrated out of Germany, there was the real possibility Clarence would be involved in a shooting battle with his own family members. For this reason, Clarence requested duty in a non-combat role. This was quite common for the time and the US Government made every effort to comply with these requests. Many recruits were assigned to the Hospital Corps or the Signal Corps. After training, Clarence went to France the last of May. He was assigned to the 118th Ambulance Corps, of the 105th Sanitary Train, in the 30th Division.

The Ambulance Corpsmen were responsible for evacuating the sick and wounded after receiving emergency treatment from the medical corps personnel at the regimental, battalion or support unit level. The Ambulance Section of the Sanitary Train consisted of a headquarters, one horse drawn and three motor ambulance companies. If the travel time from collection points to the hospital was too long, the Ambulance Sections set up intermediate points that allowed for a continuance of emergency medical care called Dressing Stations. The ambulance companies were divided into two sections. One operated the Dressing Station while the other collected, coordinated and moved patients from the battalions to the Dressing Station and then on to a field hospital. Because the combat zone was dangerous, evacuation from the front for the first 500 to 1000 yards was done on foot by litter bearer squads sent forward from the ambulance company.

In 1918, the Allies launched the Hundred Days Offensive. A series of advances followed as the Allies broke through the German defenses along the Hindenburg Line. A joint American-Australian force attacked at Bellicourt, France in late September. While continuously going back and forth, bringing wounded out of the battle zone, Private Dunning was killed by shrapnel near Bellicourt on September 29, 1918.

The Hundred days offensive ultimately brought about the end of the war. But not soon enough for Clarence Dunning. He was only 28 years old. Clarence was initially buried in Templaux, France but was brought home and buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston, SC on Sunday, April 17, 1921. The funeral services were held in the morning at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Summerville, SC. The funeral arrangements were looked after by Clarence A. Dunning Post 21 of the American Legion, the body of the gallant soldier having arrived at Summerville on Friday, April 15. The services at Summerville were attended by many who came to pay their last tribute of respect to the memory of the dead soldier, after whom the American Legion Post had been named. The Legion, the Red Cross, Business Men's League, Town Council and the school children of Summerville were represented in the funeral procession. The body of Clarence A. Dunning, the only Summerville resident to be killed in action during World War I, was brought to Charleston on the 12:15 train, and was met at the Union Station by several members of Charleston American Legion Post No. 10, who with those from Summerville formed as escort. Clarence A. Dunning was honored by friends, family and fellow veterans. He was buried at Magnolia Cemetery on Sunday, April 17, 1921. Rev. Sigfrid. L. Blungren, pastor of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church officiated at the internment services. Clarence was cited for his heroic service. Taps were sounded, and a salute fired.

Later, Clarence’s brother Herbert F. Dunning received an answer to a letter he had sent to Clarence’s commander regarding how his brother was killed in action. Along with the letter of explanation, Lieut. William P. Mckay enclosed a copy of the citation for heroic service awarded to Clarence.

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29116040/clarence-alexander-dunning: accessed 11 November 2022), memorial page for Clarence Alexander Dunning (18 Oct 1889–29 Sep 1918), Find a Grave Memorial ID 29116040, citing Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina, USA; Maintained by Saratoga (contributor 46965279) .