Our Post's name honors these two WWI soldiers.
PFC JOSEPH FRED COTTREALL
Born: Sometime in 1895 Killed in Action: June 15,1918
Joseph Cottreall was born in West Webster, Monroe County, New York the son of William and Martha Cottreall. He entered the service in Fairport, New York on November 21, 1917 at the age of 22.
Pvt. Cottreall was initially assigned to the 18th Company, 153rd Depot Brigade and was then transferred to Battery D, 309th Field Artillery, December 1, 1917; shortly after on December 12, 1917 he was assigned to Company F, 30th Infantry.
He embarked overseas April 2, 1918 and was promoted to Private 1st Class on May 1, 1918. PFC Cottreall was killed in action on July 15, 1918 in the Champagne-Marne Defensive. He was buried in France. A memorial service was held in his home school district at Webster, New York were a tree was planted in his memory.
PFC BASIL H. WARNER
Born: September 19, 1899 Killed in Action: September 29,1918
Basil Warner was born in Aultsville, Ontario, Canada, son of Ryerson and Jessie Warner. He entered the service in Rochester, New York on March 24, 1916 at the age of 16 years as a Private in Company A, 3rd Infantry, National Guard of New York. He was ordered into Federal Service on April 23, 1917 and was assigned to Company A, 108th Infantry. He was trained at Pelham Bay, New York and Camp Wadsworth, Spartanburg, South Carolina where he was promoted to Private 1st Class. He embarked overseas May 10, 1918 from Newport News, Virginia
PFC Warner engaged in action at the Battle of the Marne where he was killed in action on September 29, 1918 while bravely leading in an attack against the Hindenburg Line. His body was first buried in France. Memorial services were held at the Methodist Church, Webster, New York on December 15, 1918. In his memory Rev. Guy Lawton, Rev. G.M. Harris and Superintendent of Schools W. W. Rayfield eulogized him. Webster Village and Town officials along with soldiers and a member of the cadet corps attended. His body was brought back to America on the transport Somme March 14, 1921 and reburied with military honors in Webster Rural Cemetery, Lot 108, Section A, March 27, 1921. American Legion Robert Shaw Post performed the military service. The body lay in state at the Methodist Church, Webster, New York the afternoon preceding the funeral.