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Note: W. Earl was a 1st Lieut. 320 Inf. 80th Div. during WW1. He was buried in Wellsboro Cem.
Wellsboro paper: BURIED YESTERDAY; Body of Wellsboro Soldier Boy Brought From Overseas and Placed at Rest
The remains of one of our first heroes of the World War, Lieut. W. Earle Champaign, reached Wellsboro Tuesday noon, accompanied by George Champaign, brother of the deceased, and Russell L. Kibbe, of New York, a brother-in-law. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock at the home of Mrs. Kibbe on Meade street, Rev. David R. Evans, of the Presbyterian church, officiating, with the interment in charge of W. Earle Champaign Post, No. 84, American Legion. The Post, which was named in honor of the decedent, escorted the remains to the cemetery. Thirty-six members in full uniform were in line, creating an impressive scene. The deceased departed this life on November 14, 1918, at Base Hospital No. 48 in France, as a result of a wound received in the battle of the Argone, September 30th, 1918, while leading his battalion. At the time of receiving his wound the Lieutenant was some considerable distance from a dressing station and, in order to reach a point where he could get surgical attention he was compelled to cover a long distance by crawling on his hands and knees. While his wound was not at the time considered fatal, his long exposure before receiving medical help, and other complications, worked against a recovery and all efforts to save his life proved unavailing. Lieutenant Champaign enlisted in the U. S. Army, May 4th, 1917, receiving a commission as Second Lieutenant at Madison Barracks, N. Y. Three months after his enlistment he was sent to Cambridge, Mass., for a course of special training under French officers and given his first lieutenancy. For nine months he was at Camp Lee, a member of Co. A, 320th Infantry, engaged in instruction work, and from there he was ordered overseas May 18, 1918. Arriving on the other side he was sent immediately to the front where he was engaged in active service until he received the wound which later resulted in his death. The deceased was united in marriage July 7, 1910, with Geraldine Kibbe, who survives him. He is also survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Champaign, two sisters, Miss Nellie Champaign and Miss Louise Champaign, and one brother, George.
He was a member of the Presbyterian church, of Ossea Lodge, No. 317, F. & A. M.; Tyoga Chapter, R. A. M.; Tyagaghton Commandery, Knights Templar, and of the Williamsport Consistory. Lieutenant Champaign was a young man of fine qualities, quiet, unassuming and possessed of a highly desirable conception of his duty to his country and to his fellow men. He made an exceptionally good officer, as might have been expected, and was one of the best examples of the young American manhood who went overseas to fight for the right, and who elicited so much favorable comment from the soldiers and civilian on the other side.
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