Ambulance Company No. 315 – 1917
By Tracey Moro
World War 1 began in 1914, officially starting in the month of July, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. The war continued for four years until 1918. During that time more than 135,000 men from Michigan served.
In 1917 Capt. Dr. Walter R. T. Sharpe, who was from the Village of Romeo and stationed at Fort Benj. Harrison, Indiana, came home to Romeo for one month to recruit and organize a Red Cross ambulance company. Eligible men were from the age 18 to 45 years, married or single. The group of men who signed up included 119 Michigan men and F. P. Smith, who was then the village president.
According to an article in The Romeo Observer on October 10, 1917, the ambulance company was intended to be made up of 16 ambulances, four trucks, six motorcycles, two officers’ cars and would be known as the Red Cross Ambulance No 45, attached to the national army. The company eventually changed names to the 315th. Anyone interested in joining the company could get more information at the drug store of F. P. Smith.
It is said that never in the history of Romeo had so much enthusiasm been shown as during the four days, stay the recruited young men of the ambulance company spent in Romeo before leaving for Louisville, Kentucky for training. The local businesses decorated their buildings, the churches coordinated feeding the men and many local families opened their homes – all in the spirit of true patriotism. In the morning, at noon and at night, you could hear the ringing of bells and tooting of whistles, intended to create enthusiasm.
The Romeo Observer article claimed that on that Sunday there was a service by the Methodist Church that had all the men in attendance with Rev. Ward, the pastor. And that afternoon Congressman L.C. Cramton, Lt. Gov. Dickinson and Village Attorney William T. Hosner all spoke, along with the Rev. Ward, who was president of the local Red Cross unit. Bringing music was the Pagoda band of Mount Clemens.
The four-day program came to a close on Monday and the entertainment included the high school students marching with American flags and songs.
The photo above of the men making up the Ambulance Company was taken in 1917 in downtown Romeo before the men left for training. It was taken in front of the Charlton
B. Newberry residence (currently the Romeo Medical building) on the left and the Romeo Public Library (now the Romeo District
Library Kezar Branch) on the right. The men came from local towns including Romeo, New Haven, Mount Clemens, Ray Township, Armada, Washington Township, Memphis, Royal Oak, Detroit and even as far as Jackson.
The smaller photo is from the 1920s at the dedication of “315th Street” by the Bruce Farmer’s Club in honor of the Ambulance Co No. 315. That road is now 37 Mile Road.
These photos and others can be found in the 2026 Calendar – A Legacy of Service, To Country and Community published by the Historical Societies of Ray, Romeo and Washington Townships. It is available to purchase at Township offices, Historical Society offices and select local businesses.
Large Photo courtesy of the Centennial Supplement of The Romeo Observer, Romeo Community Archives, Romeo District Library, Romeo, Michigan. Small Photo courtesy of the Romeo Historical Society.
