Weston History Bites: Horace C. Hurlbutt Jr.
Horace was an ambulance driver in France during World War I. He had the horrific job of transporting injured and dying soldiers from the battlefield to the field hospitals. After the war, Marshal Petain of the French Army awarded Horace with the "Croix de Guerre with Silver Star" because he showed remarkable courage under fire. Unfortunately, Horace died in a car accident on August 3, 1919 soon after returning home from the war. His funeral took place at his families country home on Norfield Road in Weston. Horace did not live to see the prized military award. Below is a newspaper article from the Norwalk Hour published on August 25, 1919 that reports on Horace's medal arriving too late.
The Hurlbutt family lived in Westport but had a country home and owned property in Weston. In 1929, the Hurlbutt family donated 10 acres to the town the Weston for the site of the first school building that would serve the entire town for grades K - 8. The one stipulation that the family had was that the new school was to be named in memory of their son, Horace C. Hurlbutt Jr.
Let us honor and remember the brave men and women who served or who currently serve in the armed forces as part of the medical field. Thank you for your service in the past, present and in the future.