Enfield, Mass. Honor Roll

This Roll of Honor lists the names of some young men who served in World War I. It seems especially poignant because it represents the Town of Enfield, Massachusetts, which no longer exists.

Enfield, Mass. was incorporated in 1816, but the land thereabouts, originally called Quabbin Parish, was settled as far back as the late 1700s. Enfield had a decisive end to its existence when as April 27, 1938 struck midnight and became April 28th, Enfield and its nearby towns of Prescott, Greenwich, and Dana, were dissolved by legislation. All that land is now the Quabbin Reservoir. More on that another time. Here is a previous mention of the Quabbin winter sunset.

For now, with Veteran’s Day upon us tomorrow, which was of course originally Armistice Day commemorating the end of World War I, we have this simple town honor roll which stands in front of the Swift River Valley Historical Society in North New Salem, Massachusetts. There are honors rolls standing here for the other three towns of Prescott, Greenwich, and Dana as well.

You’ll note at the top, the servicemen are honored for their sacrifices in “the World War.” They did not know there would be another World War to follow in another generation, but these towns would not exist by that time. Enfield’s timeline came to an abrupt end at the stroke of one midnight many decades ago. So, there really would never be another war.

For more on the Swift River Valley Historical Society, an invaluable resource which contains a museum of artifacts from the valley towns, have a look at this website.