As I gazed upon this 1930 photograph of our grandfather Major William (Bill) Rupertus (and unknown gent), it captured the essence of the Peking Race Track that year.
During 1929-1931, our grandfather, Bill Rupertus, was an executive officer of the 4th Marines (aka China Marines). They were stationed at the American sector of the Peking Legation in Peking, China. This legation was an island enclave within Peking for foreigners to live and work. The Marines were there to guard the American sector.
I found myself pondering the thoughts that occupied his mind in this photo. Other photos we have show the scene around them that I’ll add to my next post on Peking.
During my research, I stumbled upon a heart-wrenching revelation: months earlier, our grandfather had experienced the tragic loss of his first family.
His wife Marguerite (38), son Will (14) and daughter Anne Rodney (4) all died of Scarlet Fever while in China with him.
Due to the quarantine, himself included, he never got to say goodbye.
I cried with our grandfather over his loss. And, felt his bravery as he returned to his duty so soon afterwards.
There was no officer to fill his position in Peking, China. Taking three to six month’s away from the Marine Corps to travel home and back was not in the cards. The Marine Corps was small back then.
With American flags draped over their caskets, his wife and children’s bodies were shipped back to America.
All are buried at our family grave at Arlington National Cemetery.
Colonel Holcomb, commanding officer of the 4th Marines, encouraged our grandfather and senior Marines to maintain their physical fitness through the sport of Polo.
At age 42, Bill took it up again. A welcome distraction. From the articles and medals we have-we know he did exceedingly well.
I came across accounts of their endeavors and races. Much can be found in old articles from the Leatherneck, the China Marines’ newspaper, “The Wu Wu”, the annuals, and oral histories.
And this fab site: http://chinamarine.org/Peking.aspx
To some, including this personal narrative in the prologue of my original manuscript appeared perplexing, as a military peer reviewer expressed.
However, the reason behind this choice is quite simple: our grandfather is not merely a historical figure; he is family.
I felt an intimate connection to his pain and perseverance.
Twenty years earlier, he was told he would die by age 27 from Brights disease.
Now he had lost his family.
I recognized the immense strength and determination required to rise above adversity and continue his duty.
A journey that would take him back to China in 1937, and to become a Major General in the Marine Corps, leading the First Marine Division in the Pacific during WWII.
#SemperFidelis
