About
Ralph Charles Somers, the son of Ford and Eva (Sutherland) Somers, was born on March 16, 1896, in Esperance, NY. When he was five years old, he relocated to Schenectady with his family. Ralph attended the Mumford and Albany Street schools.
On April 5, 1918, Ralph enlisted in the United States Army and attended Camp Dix in New Jersey for his basic training. He held the rank of Private and served with the 309th Heavy Field Artillery, 78th Division. Ralph went overseas in September 1918, and participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. On January 22, 1919, he was thrown from a horse while in France and sustained a fractured skull; he was only 23 years old. Ralph is buried in the Esperance Cemetery, Schoharie, NY.
In Memoriam
In loving memory of Ralph C. Somers who died in France, January 22, 1919.
You did your duty bravely well
And for your country’s cause you fell.
Sweet will your memory ever be
Until your face again we see,
Where wars will never part us more.
On Canaan’s fair and peaceful shore.
Mother, Father and Brother
Published in the Schenectady Gazette January 22, 1921