Ralph T. Kingery Collection

Title: Ralph T. Kingery Collection

Dates: 1902-1956

Collection Number: Consult library

Creator/Collector: Kingery, Ralph T. Vinnedge, Kathleen

Extent: 2 linear feet

Repository: Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room

Abstract: This small collection consists of nine folders of military records, three books, and a military flag which was presented to the family at Mr. Kingery's funeral.

Language of Material: English

Collection is open for research during the operating hours of the Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room, or by appointment.

Collection open for research.

[Identification of item]. Ralph T. Kingery Collection. Collection Number: Consult library. Ontario City Library, Robert E. Ellingwood Model Colony History Room

The Ralph T. Kingery Collection was donated by Donald Vinnedge, nephew of Ralph T. Kingery, in July 2002.

Ralph T. Kingery was born in Springfield, Missouri on December 16, 1891. He and his family moved to Ontario when he was about 18 or 19 years old. His parents were William and Florenda Kingery, and they resided at 406 East Carlton Street. Ralph had a younger brother named Archie, who also served in World War I, and two younger sisters, Mary and Kathleen. Ralph worked for King Fruit Company prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army in August of 1917. Ralph T. Kingery was among the first troops sent overseas after the U.S. declaration of war on April 6, 1917, as part of the First Infantry Brigade sent to France selected by General John Pershing. He arrived in Europe on Christmas Day 1917, and was sent to France soon after. The First Division was sent to relieve the First Moroccan Division in the Ansauville Sector of France on January 15, 1918. The Ansauville Sector was located north of Toul. Ralph Kingery was killed in action by a German shell while in the front line trenches on February 19, 1918. His division was relieved from Ansauville on April 5, 1918 with total casualties of 38 officers and 504 men, 6 officers and 103 men killed in action. Mr. Kingery was the first soldier from California to be killed in action during World War I. Mr. Kingery’s body was interred temporarily in France until the military was able to bring the soldiers' bodies home, long after the war was over. Mr. Kingery’s body arrived home to his parents in Ontario on June 24, 1921, and he was given a military funeral. He is buried at Bellevue Cemetery in Ontario. Several of Mr. Kingery’s possessions were held by his sister Kathleen. Kathleen’s son, Donald Vinnedge, discovered the possessions and donated them to the Model Colony Room in July, 2002.

This small collection consists of nine folders of military records, three books, and a military flag which was presented to the family at Mr. Kingery's funeral.