Samford Hall chimes to ring in honor of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I

Published: November 05, 2018

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The chimes in Auburn University’s Samford Hall tower will ring at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11, as part of “Bells of Peace,” a nationwide remembrance of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. The tolling of bells is a traditional expression of honor and remembrance. In addition to commemorating the armistice centennial with the sound of bells, the chimes will also play the service songs for the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force.

Students and alumni of Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) were among the 4.7 million Americans who served in uniform during World War I. According to records on the Auburn University War Memorial website, warmemorial.auburn.edu, at least 25 members of the Auburn Family lost their lives during the war. The chimes in Samford Hall will be tolling in their honor.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a proclamation that declared Nov. 11, 2018 as “Bells of Peace: A World War I Remembrance Day” in the state and called upon the state’s citizens to toll bells in remembrance of those who served in World War I at 11 a.m. on that day.

“Bells of Peace” is nationwide program designed to honor the American men and women who served during World War I. The United States participated in the war from April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918.

The war ended by an armistice agreement between the warring countries at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11th, 1918.

The “Bells of Peace” program also has a smartphone app for people who will not be in a location where bells will ring. The free app is available in app stores for both Apple and Android platforms. 

The Auburn men who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War 1 include:

Winston Payne Anderson, Class of 1913, Birmingham, Alabama

Massey Palmer Bedsole, Class of 1913, Thomasville, Alabama

Walter Gustavus Bevill Jr., Class of 1917, Greensboro, Alabama

Joseph Elliot Bumby, Class of 1916, Bessemer, Alabama

Sanford Gollie Carter, Class of 1917, Roanoke, Alabama

Albert H. Cowart, Class of 1911, Ensley, Alabama

Neil Ford, Class of 1920, Hamilton, Alabama

John Evander Harris Jr., Class of 1921, Livingston, Alabama

Armstrong Hill, Class of 1909, Sylacauga, Alabama

Amos Davis Howle, Class of 1909, Oxford, Alabama

Albert G. Hudson, Class of 1915, Montevallo, Alabama

John William Johnston, Class of 1917, Trafford, Alabama

Merrit Knight, Class of 1916, Greenville, Alabama

Claude Mortimer McCall, Class of 1916, Brewton, Alabama

Marcus Gatewood Milligan, Class of 1920, Anniston, Alabama

Richard Wells Murphy, Class of 1916, Greensboro, Alabama

John H. Powell, Class of 1916, Opelika, Alabama

Billy Glenn Rushing, Class of 1915, Escambia, Alabama

Chester Arthur Smith, Class of 1912, Petoskey, Michigan

Arthur Joel Thigpen Jr., Class of 1914, Auburn, Alabama

Eugene Robbins Vaughan, Class of 1921, Selma, Alabama

A. B. Walter, Class of 1918, Napoleonville, Louisiana

John Caffey Watson, Class of 1913, Pine Apple, Alabama

Albert Barron Whatley, Class of 1918, Opelika, Alabama

John Howard Wills, Class of 1913, Auburn, Alabama

Additional information about these Auburn service men can be found at https://warmemorial.auburn.edu/.

Auburn University is a nationally ranked land grant institution recognized for its commitment to world-class scholarship, interdisciplinary research with an elite, top-tier Carnegie R1 classification, life-changing outreach with Carnegie’s Community Engagement designation and an undergraduate education experience second to none. Auburn is home to more than 30,000 students, and its faculty and research partners collaborate to develop and deliver meaningful scholarship, science and technology-based advancements that meet pressing regional, national and global needs. Auburn’s commitment to active student engagement, professional success and public/private partnership drives a growing reputation for outreach and extension that delivers broad economic, health and societal impact.