Robert James Sabiston
Robert James Sabiston was
born September 2, 1895.
According to the WW1 Draft
registration card he filled out
in 1917 he was: single, of
medium build, had black hair
and was living at home on
North 49th Street. Robert
worked as a supply clerk at
the Sloss-Sheffield
Steel and Iron Company in
Birmingham like his father.
Dec 30, 1918
Corporal Sabiston died from
wounds received while
fighting in France
September 13, 1918. He is
buried at St. Mihiel
American Cemetery in
Thiaucourt, France.

Pictured left is the letter his
mother received telling her
of how and when her son
had died and where he had
been buried.

In 1930 Stella Sabiston went
to France to visit her son's
grave. She is listed in the
WW1 Mother's Pilgramage
that departed from
Cherbourg France aboard
the SS President Harding on
September 16, 1930.
IL DORT LOIN DES SIENS DANS LA DOUCE TERRE DE FRANCE
Translation: He sleeps far from his family in the gentle land of France.
Corporal, U. S. Army, Co. B 11th Infantry
According to Wikipedia:

"On 24 April 1918, the regiment sailed for France. By May of 1918 it joined the 5th
Division near Chaumont, France. The 11th then took part in the Vosges Mountains, St.
Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne offensives."

For more information on this offensive click HERE
The St Mihiel salient covers the territory from Les
Eparges to Pont a Mousson and had been held by the
Germans since September 1914...
The Germans had anticipated the attack and started an
initial withdrawal. This withdrawal was still in progress
on 12th September when the Americans started the attack
with a 3,000 gun barrage and 300,000 soldiers. A
secondary assault, by 110,000 French troops, took place
three hours later. Over 1,400 aircraft under the command
of General William Mitchell supported the advancing US
and French troops. On the first day the main attack
advanced 9km to reach Thiancourt and the French troops
captured the village of Dommartin. By 16th September
the entire St Mihiel salient was under control of the Allies.
- From the "Your Archives" website
During this 4 day offensive, Robert was one of the 7,000
Americans wounded or killed. He had just turned 23.