William Peniston Tatem
Private
Company B
33rd Engineer Regiment
Entered the Service from: New Jersey
Died: March 30, 1918
William Peniston Tatem — Honor Card
Introduction
Private William Peniston Tatem was born in Collingswood NJ on November 29, 1892. He was the son of Henry P. and Kate Ann Tatem, and lived at 885 Haddon Avenue, Collingswood NJ. He was a member of the Collingswood Presbyterian Church, which stood at Fern Avenue in Collingswood. His father was a real estate agent. William Tatem was working as an automobile salesman at a Packard dealership on North Broad Street in Philadelphia when he registered for the draft on June 5, 1917.
William Tatem enlisted in the United States Army on March 1, 1918, at the age of 25. On March 18 he was sent to Fort Slocum NY. After a few days he was sent to Camp Devins Massachusetts, where he was assigned to Company B, 33rd Engineer Regiment. Private Tatem died of pneumonia at Camp Devins on March 30, 1918.
William Tatem was survived by his parents, five sisters, Buelah, Alice M., Gladys, Achsa W., and Katherine, and a brother, Henry P. Tatem Jr. The Tatem family was still at the Haddon Avenue address as late as April of 1930.
The Tatem-Shields Post American Legion Post 17 at 622 Atlantic Avenue in Collingswood NJ is named in part for William P. Tatem. The William P. Tatem Elementary School in Collingswood was named in his memory.
World War I Draft Registration Card
William Peniston Tatem — World War I Draft Registration Card
Honor Roll
William Peniston Tatem — Camden County World War I Honor Roll
Soldier-Athlete Dies
Philadelphia Inquirer —
William P. Tatem, of Collingswood, Victim of Pneumonia at Camp
Special to The Inquirer.
COLLINGSWOOD, N. J., March 30.— William P. Tatem, who enlisted two weeks ago and after spending a short time at Fort Slocum was transferred to Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass., to the 33d Engineers Corps, died this morning in camp, with his mother and the young woman who was soon to become his bride, Miss Grace Carr, of 800 Collings avenue, at his bedside.
A few days ago he contracted pneumonia and his family were summoned. Yesterday reports stated that he was better and his father, former Assemblyman and former postmaster, Henry R. Tatem.
Military Funeral for W. P. Tatem
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Special to The Inquirer.
COLLINGSWOOD, N. J., April 2.—A military funeral, this afternoon, was given William P. Tatem, who died last week of pneumonia, at Camp Devens, Ayer, Mass., at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry P. Tatem, 885 Haddon avenue. Rev. Robert I. MacBride, M. A., pastor of the Presbyterian Church, officiated. Flags were lowered to half-mast. Private Tatem was the first soldier from Collingswood to die in service and the entire borough expressed its grief.