November 2, 1942 is the next letter from Jacksonville, Florida.
"Dear Ellen
I wrote a letter to Mary Blackburn and I want to tell you not to get jealous as everything turned out OK. Purely observing. I had liberty yesterday afternoon and went to town. A nice town but the women haven't changed a bit. They are just kids 14 and 15 who know more about life and stuff than most women ever learn. They don't give you a line of gab - yes or no and off they go. It may not be as fast as that but not far off. The beer here is lousay, rot gut. (From a reliable source). There are a mess of restricted joints. (unhealthy to us if you know what I mean. There are lot of USO joints but you outgrow them, mostly old women and kids (sailors.) The taxis here are swell. You jump in with about 4 or five more people, give the driver the address and he drops everyone off at his or her destination (10 cents). Forgive the writing as time is short and I must get this letter done. I have studying to do and a mess of washing.
To continue, my brother informed me that a gang of kids, all on the same team joined the Marines. Every blessed one of them are at Guadacanal. They all went to school with us in grammar school and played ball against us in sandlot ball when we were kids. ---------God Bless 'Em. There are a couple of kids here that hung around them at home. There buddies of mine here.
Yesterday I missed you very much and I wished and wished that you could have been around. There are plenty of places to go but when you got something on your mind you don't forget it easily. I tried to get over my lonesomeness I had fun but you were still there. I got it bad, is that good? I will write again as soon as I get time. I love you.
Love John
PS If I don't write frequently, as I did at Newport, please forgive me as I will be answering other mail, but never fear I'll not neglect you. I must answer Mom and brother Thomas letter. I'll have to drop a line to Rita. Love again Ellen, keep smiling.
Get that picture yet."
My father mentioned that kids he went to school with had joined the Marines and were at Guadalcanal. I think I mentioned before that I know something about the European front in WWII - not really from school but from books I have read - especially books about FDR, Winston Churchill, Russia. I know Guadalcanal was a big battle but I looked it up for a little more information.
The website - https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/the-guadalcanal-campaign/ - explains that after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the US and the Allies were on the defensive as Japan tried to expand its holdings in the Pacific. The Japanese planned a sneak attack on the US Naval Base on Midway Island which was halfway between Japan and the United States. Unknown to the Japanese, American Codebreakers were aware of Japan's plans for an attack. The battle ensued from June 3 to June 6, 1942 with the Allies finally victorious which boosted their morale and confidence.
The website - https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldhistory2/chapter/the-guadalcanal-campaign/ - goes on to explain:
"Up to this point, the Allies were on the defensive in the Pacific, but the strategic victories at Midway and other battles provided an opportunity to seize the initiative from Japan. On August 7, 1942, Allied forces, predominantly United States Marines, landed on the islands of Guadalcanal, Tulagi, and Florida in the southern Solomon Islands with the objective of denying their use by the Japanese to threaten Allied supply and communication routes between the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The Allies overwhelmed the outnumbered Japanese defenders who had occupied the islands since May 1942 and captured Tulagi and Florida as well as an airfield (later named Henderson Field) that was under construction on Guadalcanal. Surprised by the Allied offensive, the Japanese made several attempts between August and November to retake Henderson Field. Three major land battles, seven large naval battles (five nighttime surface actions and two carrier battles), and continual, almost daily aerial battles culminated in the decisive Naval Battle of Guadalcanal in early November, in which the last Japanese attempt to bombard Henderson Field from the sea and land with enough troops to retake it was defeated ...
"The U.S. Navy suffered such high personnel losses during the campaign that it refused to publicly release total casualty figures for years. However, as the campaign continued and the American public became more and more aware of the plight and perceived heroism of the American forces on Guadacanal, more forces were dispatched to the area. This spelled trouble for Japan as its military-industrial complex was unable to match the output of American industry and manpower. As the campaign wore on, the Japanese were losing irreplaceable units while the Americans were rapidly replacing and even augmenting their forces.
The Guadacanal campaign was costly to Japan both strategically and in material losses and manpower. Roughly 30, 000 personnel, including 25, 000 experienced ground troops, died during the campaign. As many as three-quarters of the deaths were from non-combat causes such as starvation and tropical diseases. The drain on resources directly contributed to Japan's failure to achieve its objectives in the New Guinea campaign.
After the victory at the Battle of Midway, America was able to establish naval parity in the Pacific. However, this alone did not change the direction of the war. It was only after the Allied victories in Guadacanal and New Guinea that the Japanese offensive thrust was ended and the strategic initiative passed to the Allies permanently. The Guadacanal Campaign ended all Japanese expansion attempts and placed the Allies in a position of clear supremacy. It can be argued that this Allied victory was the first step in a long string of successes that eventually led to the surrender of Japan and the occupation of the Japanese home islands."
"The USS Enterprise and the other ships of Task Force 8 (TF 8) departed Pearl Harbor on November 28, 1941 to deliver Marine Fighter Squadron 211 to Wake Island nearly 2,500 miles due west. She was scheduled to return to Hawaii on 6 December 1941, but was delayed by the weather, and she was still at sea about 215 nautical miles west of Oahu at down on December 7, 1941.
The USS enterprise was part of the battle for Midway Island in early June 1942, the battle for Solomon Islands in August 1942, the battle of Santa Crus Islands in October 1942, and the battle of Guadalcanal that ended November 15, 1942.
The picture below shows the USS Enterprise being struck by bombs from a Kamikaze on April 5, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa - she had already supported the battle of Iwo Jima in early 1945. The ship was decommissioned in December 17, 1947. A new nuclear powered USS Enterprise was commissioned in 1961. I remember my uncle Norman Huliston taking us to see it when it docked in Boston.
I wonder if my father's friends made it home safely from the war?
Also on November 2, 1942 Ted Williams won the American League Triple Crown with a .356 batting average, 36 home runs, and 137 RBIs. But a Yankee pitcher won the American League MVP award. I imagine that went over quite well with the sailors from New England.
"Nov 3, 1942
Jacksonville
Hi ya Honey
I simply had to change the introducing phrase not that I don't like it but changes make it seem more lively or something. I am getting paid soon a huge sum of forty nine dollars and no cents. Since things are good down here I am drawing out only five bucks as I figure it will be enough for my own use. My pal owes me a buck or so, five to be exact and I will get that when he gets paid. Since you understand arithmetic that will make a total of ten simoleans, that should be plenty for a while. I still have five left of what I brought down, which I think is not bad considering liberty and stuff. If it ain't I'll go broke for a couple of days or weeks or what have you. The balance will be held over until next pay day. It is one way of saving money & I think and I intend to save it. Everyone here is writing letters so I am sitting on the deck (floor) and leaning against a stancheon (post) as I write this letter on my lap. Anything for you kid. It must be love.
I hope Hannie likes it, and if it is like Newport she'll hear language that will not be easy on the ears. Tell her to let it slide and not pay any attention to it. They had a traveling pay station at Newport parked on the parade field. Tell her to keep clean in action and words, don't try to make to big an impression on the boys or it will backfire. Tell her also not to be a sweater girl or a skin tight skirt girl or else she will be subject to a lot of cracks and abuse. She'll like it when she gets used to it and the officers will treat her OK.
Halloween night I went to bed as usual no change in schedule. I saw traces of the hectic night on Sunday night. Soaped windows, broken windows, and the like. My Pal, his name is Ralph Lentz if I haven't told you before, is getting or trying to get his girl home this weekend or next and invited me over to her house for a feed and a looksee. If the food is good and plentiful, she'll be Ho Kay otherwise she'll be - well - for charities sake I'll say she is All Right. After all he's my friend. He said you must be really a pip because I'm so fussy with my women. I showed him your picture and he knew you were Irish by just looking at you. Have you got Erin go Bragh or the Irish flag plastered on your visage or what? When I look at your picture you look Polish or such with round features and face rather pudgy. Everyone I show the picture too say you are only 17 or 18. How do you do it? Palmolive soap I guess. By the way I am going to get photographed at a picture studio Saturday or Sunday. Four prints - nice too. I'll send you the best one. This new shift is OK, more time, but more studies too. What's the use of getting spare time anyway. I'll sign off now so keep your shins down your chins up and keep your glass eye and wooden leg in good shape.
Love John"
"Nov 10 1942
Jax. Fla
Dear Ellen
Things are berserk here, do this, do that, do something else, never mind do this. That's all there is all day long, day in and day out. Instead of fifteen minutes of exercises every day we have one hour every day now. They must have figured we had too much time to ourselves. From what I figure if they give us any thing else to do we will have to sleep the 25th hour of every day. And what exercises, the likes of which you get at the 'Y.' Tumbling, jumping tackling wrestling jui jitsu and stuff. Every day except Sunday and will be part of our daily routine. We had final tests in mathematics and mechanical drawing, the duties of a sentry ----- I don't know how I fared but I'll report later.
In regard to your lack of knowledge as to the liberty we are allowed it is next to impossible to do any thing that is of mention. We have a couple of officers who like to be too much by the book, 90 day wonders, who hold you up with inspections and take all the time they think is necessary to take. Boy do the(y) get cursed. As to dancing I haven't had time to get to a dance. Saturday and Sunday the dances start at 10 and 9. I have to be home at the barracks at 12 Saturday and 9 Sunday.
Why do you make so many mistakes at work. Knock off the day dreaming and get on the ball or you'll wind up behind the cue ball. I'm not being angry or unkind but telling you the plain truth.
Last Sunday I went to Jaxonville Beach and had a fair time. We took some snapshots and are waiting to get them developed. I'll get my pick and send them to you. I am thinking of making a recording and sending it to you. If I do use a new needle. I went to a U.S.O. at the beach, a nice joint - had something to eat, played ping pong and listened to some records. I asked one of the hostesses if she could polka. She said she could but there was no dancing on Sunday. I'll have to try again. I wish I had you here to practice with or learn from or something. I'm kicking my ---- now. The best of us make mistakes. I'll get around it but I still wish you were here. My sister took Rita O'Hara down to see Joe Walsh and she was taken back. The girls, Joe's sisters were to rough and big and noisy. Nobody paid any attention to her was the main reason. Joe's family is big and strong and happy go lucky, nothing bothers them. Rita got sore because they didn't make a fuss over her. They don't pay attention to her and because the(y) acted natural she got sore. Well! Well! Fan my can!
I'll write again soon as calisthenics are due.
Love John"
"Nov 11, 1942
Jaxonville Fla
Dear Ellen,
I have a few spare minutes so I am writing to you honey gal. I am three weeks here today. boy sometimes it seems longer sometimes it seems very short. I will have more book work studying and all stuff commencing this week. Four notebooks I will have to keep and all in tip top shape. I wish I could write to you regular like but at present this seems an impossibility as my days are rushed and taxed to capacity. We are all thru mathematics and mechanical drawing but picked up a lecture course on welding, navy regulations, metal work and theory of flight. From bad to worse. I don't mind it tho as long as I am getting along OK. By the way I got the average of the marks in my seven tests in all subjects. It summed up to an 88. In my estimation it is very good as the highest mark was a 93 which makes me six points out of the top. We are a couple of weeks late in posting our marks. So far so good. By the way how is Hannie and what is her address? maybe I can send her a card or something or other. I just returned from detail. I have a commission, a captaincy. Captain of the head. If you want to know my duties ask Charlie Blackburn he should know being a gob of a sort. My legs are tired and my back is broken from the exercises but I like them just the same.
As for the pictures I will send them as soon as I receive them. I hope they do me justice or something. You name it. I am warning you the sun was in my eye and I kept it closed. My usual pose. Pretty near bedtime so I'll have to close I'll write soon again. I am awaiting a letter from you or as we rebels say, I am waitin on your letter.
Love and stuff John"
"Send me some shots
Nov 16, 1942
Jax----- Fla
My dear Ellen,
I am becoming more affectionate as time progresses. After all my schooling and such - meagre tho it may (be) - must show itself in some way. I'm sorry that I didn't write to you sooner but the week slipped by terribly fast and it was just full of everything from study to facts of life - no kidding. I am on the early shift still but will change the first of the month to the late shift 2-10.
I read your letter saying you were beginning to worry why I didn't write and I felt like a heel for not writing to you. I promise I will write at least twice a week more if possible.
If you keep that nursemaid routine up you should become well versed in child psychology or something. You name it. A few more evenings and all you will need is the magic word and they will slowly but surely, maybe even quicker than that, pass into dreamland to be taken in hand by Morpheus and (h)is mob of dopesters or sleep inducers. I don't figure you have much trouble with the Kemp kid - he didn't seem to be a bad kid the night that I was out there. Remember. Maybe it's just as well Peggie does go out - she is getting even on you and Hannie for hogging all the older men folk in the vicinity. She'll fool you and Hannie yet. She seems to be having her day now, you and Hannie have had your day. All the boys your age are in the Navy.
I wonder if Peggy has her boyfriend on the Stop and Shop roof like Rita and her men folk. The exercises here are getting stiffer and stiffer every day. The boys ran about six miles today maybe ten tomorrow. If we keep it up I'll be able to run home non stop if I ever get home. I was sitting at the table writing this but the bench got uncomfortable so I am now sitting on the floor with the writing pad on my lap and my ideas are all in my head. I shall endeavor to put them all on paper if it is possible.
To begin again, as far as your morale is concerned God will have to be your guide cause God only knows when I will get home. I only hope He will be good and let me get home soon. My morale is low but I have four or five buddies here and we sort of keep up each others morale. They are a swell bunch. Two of them have a couple of women on the string and we observe (the) technique they use. What a technique - Wow. For three weeks now and still no date. They work in a joint at Jax beach and and when they get thru work we all have to be back at the barracks. They are going bananas. We sort of build up their spirits during the week, but the next weekend, the same things happen to them. Women are so heartless, some women I mean. I don't know what to say in Jim's case as it is no concern of mine although I wish he would really open his eyes. He may be making a mistake and again he may not. I'd certainly hate to see a good egg like Jim get hurt by any woman no matter who it is. Bertha may turn out better than you believe she will even though she does refuse to turn over, Catholic. Please keep my expressions to yourself honey chile as I don't want to get mixed up in the crossfire of a family discussion or whatever fits the subject. That reminds me we had a sermon at Mass Sunday on should a blue jacket marry. He explained to us, the priest I mean, how some of the boys are get(ting) hooked by the lower scavenger type women who always prey around naval bases. They meet the gal at some joint, get slipped a Mickey Finn, wake up the next morning married to some dog who is almost a physical wreck due to venereal disease. They sign over an allotment, their insurance and practically their life. Many of these guys are driven to desperation, despair and sometimes attempted suicide. there have been cases of suicide too. The priest told the younger element not to go looking for women in the dives and joints of the city, as when a girl gets married she wears the white gown of virginity and you won't find those girls in these joints. He told us not to get married until we were at least second class and to know the girl, like her for what she is and not what she looks like, to make sure she's clean and decent, unselfish and faithful. When he was giving this sermon I got an awful lump in my throat and an empty feeling in my stomach. If you were here I would marry you on the spot as I know that you have all the points necessary. I never realized when I was with you the other element that prevails thru out the land. Please don't think I am being poetic or mushy as I am not, I am speaking from the soul or heart or maybe both.
I love you and I will always no matter what happens here, there or anywhere. I love you, Ellen, just as much as as you love me and I miss you just as much if not more. I don't get lonely but I get a sort of a lost feeling when I start thinking about you. So near yet so far.
I got a letter from Hannie from Falmouth and will have to answer it soon. I figure she is very lonely in that deserted joint down their in the woods at least reading between the lines she sort of hinted she was. I pity her but she'll get used to it. I'll have to write to her as she will now begin to realize what a letter means when you are away from home. Truthfully I never wrote over 3 letters in my life until I joined the Navy. A change has occurred.
I dropped a line to Mary Blackburn but her mother seemed to get the idea it was filthy and dirty. I didn't send it with that intention and I am sorry she took the wrong impression. After all maybe I am to blame as sometimes I figure I take too much liberty with Mary. We get paid this week, I hope, sweet, and since this is the last Saturday I will have off I am going to do my Christmas shopping early. I have a beautiful gift lined up for you and my mom. I figure you'll love it, at least I like it a lot. One of my buddies bought one for his mom.
We had tests all day today and I did pretty well. Good. My lowest mark was an 86 which when I went to school rated a low A or a high B. Not A - awful, B - bad either. A little headwork and I would have had a 90. Next week I will have mostly shop work and very little text book work.
Everyone here is beginning to know each other now intimately - I mean due to close association. The liberty groups are the best the drunks, the fakers, the wolves, the naturalists, the jerks, and those that don't give a damn about these women or wine but who enjoy themselves nevertheless. We, me and my buddies, go out take in a show raise a little h- , get full of spaghetti or chicken or something roam around observing everything visit the joints, watch the suckers and stuff. There's one joint where they roll dice here - High Low. Some guys lose up to 20 bucks here at a sitting.
More later
I am sending you some pictures we took. There are four of us here John (me), 'Boogie' Aleo, Tony Angelini and Jimmy Fonero (?sp). Aleo is an old friend of mine from home, Angelini is from Leominster and Finero is from Somerville. Angelini isn't shown here was no good shot of him came out. Aleo is the guy standing Fonero squatting. The two kids are are a couple we played ball with here. Natives there OK tho.
Write again
Love & Love again John"
I have to admit that I was touched by my father's lump in his throat and empty feeling in his stomach thinking of my mother.
I couldn't find anything on Boogie Oleo, but I found a WWII draft registration for an Anthony P Angelini on www.ancestry.com. He lived at 38 South Street in Leominster - he did not have a phone. He was 20 years old - born May 2, 1921 - in Leominster. Orfeo Angelini will always know his address. He works for Ciccolini Bros of 41 Central Street in Leominster. He is white - 5' 11 1/2" - 147 lbs - brown eyes - brown hair - light complexion. Middle right foot toe stubbed. He registered February 16, 1942 at Local Board #83, District Court Building, Leominster.
Anthony was the 5th of 10 children of Orfeo and Ottavia Angelini - the parents were born in Italy while their children were all born in Massachusetts. Orfeo had served as a private in the Italian army for 3 years before he immigrated according to his WWI draft registration. The 1940 census tells us that Orfeo owned his home which was worth $3000. In 1941 Tony was a chauffeur at 180 Pond Street in Leominster. There were several other Angellini families in Leominster on Lincoln Terrace - I suppose they were all related. I was hoping that there would be a high school year book picture on www.ancestry.com, but there wasn't. The Leominster Public Library has some yearbooks but not online - if I remember, I'll try to look for Tony's yearbook sometime I am visiting my sons in Leominster.
So what was all that about Jim? My mother mentioned it in her letter to Hannie. Back in Watertown we've seen that my mother was living upstairs at 6 Green Street in 1942. The 1940 US Census had shown that the Keohanes were paying $30/month rent. My grandmother was 45 - I think I said before that it's difficult to think of my grandmother as young - she always seemed so old. There was a glimmer of youth throughout her whole life though - she loved to dance an old time waltz - my mother or I would dance with her in the kitchen when my father had Irish music playing. Ma would always lead!! I remember old Dan Brennan from the old road in Ardmore telling me that Ma was a great dancer - she used to run down the old road to the platform at Dennehy's cross when she heard the music playing. My mother said that she remembered her father singing "I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen" or "The Rose of Tralee" to Ma - my mother said they would be laughing and her father would pick Ma up and "throw" her onto the bed. What a change when John Keohane died - Ma was 35 with 5 small children - she eventually lost her house - gave away John Keohane's car to Jimmy McCarthy - lost whatever savings she and John Keohane had when the banks failed in the Depression. My aunt Hannie used to go with Ma to collect Mother's Aid or free food - she said Ma would go a round about way so no one would see her.
In 1940 Jim was 20 - we saw that he had graduated from Watertown High School. In the census he is listed as a foreman in a metal factory. He had worked 48 hours during the week of March 24-31. He worked 36 weeks in 1939 and made $720.
My mother was 18 and was listed as a new worker - she was unemployed for 24 weeks up to March 30, 1940. Anna/Hannie was 16 and still attending school - she had completed 2 years of high school. Peggy was 14 and attending school - she had completed 8th grade although she was listed as a new worker! On page 2 Rita was listed as 10 years old - she was attending school and had completed 4th grade.
I think I talked before about how Jim got a job as soon as he was able - and gave almost all his earnings to Ma except a small bit that he kept for himself. He kept that in a sock he had in his drawer - he told my mother and Hannie if they ever needed money for anything to take money from his sock instead of asking Ma for money.
Jim grew up quickly and became the man of the house - for instance, he had to tend to the furnace when they lived in the triple decker on Waverley Ave in Watertown - he was probably about 12. Much later he gave up that job with Edwin Land who invented the Polaroid Land Camera because of the street car fare to Cambridge - it would be less money to give Ma.
We know Jim was part of the Civilian Conservation Corps established by President Roosevelt in response to the Depression.
The website - https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fdr-creates-civilian-conservation-corps - explains that:
"On April 5, 1933, President Franklin D Roosevelt establishes the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), an innovative federally funded organization that put tens of thousands of Americans to work during the Great Depression on projects with environmental benefits.
"In 1932, FDR took America’s political helm during the country’s worst economic crisis, declaring a “government worthy of its name must make a fitting response” to the suffering of the unemployed. He implemented the CCC a little over one month into his presidency as part of his administration’s “New Deal” plan for social and economic progress. The CCC reflected FDR’s deep commitment to environmental conservation. He waxed poetic when lobbying for the its passage, declaring “the forests are the lungs of our land [which] purify our air and give fresh strength to our people.”
"The CCC, also known as “Roosevelt’s Tree Army,” was open to unemployed, unmarried U.S. male citizens between the ages of 18 and 26. All recruits had to be healthy and were expected to perform hard physical labor. Blacks were placed in de-facto segregated camps, although administrators denied the practice of discrimination. Enlistment in the program was for a minimum of 6 months; many re-enlisted after their first term. Participants were paid $30 a month and often given supplemental basic and vocational education while they served. Under the guidance of the Departments of the Interior and Agriculture, CCC employees fought forest fires, planted trees, cleared and maintained access roads, re-seeded grazing lands and implemented soil-erosion controls. They built wildlife refuges, fish-rearing facilities, water storage basins and animal shelters. To encourage citizens to get out and enjoy America’s natural resources, FDR authorized the CCC to build bridges and campground facilities. From 1933 to 1942, the CCC employed over 3 million men.
"Of Roosevelt’s many New Deal policies, the CCC is considered by many to be one of the most enduring and successful. It provided the model for future state and federal conservation programs. In 1942, Congress discontinued appropriations for the CCC, diverting the desperately needed funds to the effort to win World War II."
According to PBS, enrollees in 1933 had to be unmarried, unemployed American males between 18 and 25 years old, 5 to 6.5 feet tall, over 107 lbs, and with at least 6 teeth! The men were given shelter, clothes, food and received $1/day for a 6 month term with $25/month to be sent home and $5 in cash each month. The CCC offered educational programs every evening - PBS reports that more than 90% of enrollees took part in the classes which ranged from reading and writing to commercial art, automobile care, engineering, and first aid."
I had wondered when Jim had joined the CCC - I thought it was probably after he graduated high school in 1938. BUT I just came across a copy of a letter that he had written to Ma - I had forgotten I had it. I think I had made copies of a couple of Jim's letters from WWII and gave the originals to my cousin Cynthia or Kathleen. This letter was in with the ones from WWII. And it is dated 1937! The summer before his senior year in high school - so how did that happen? I suppose we'll never know.
"August 4 , 1937
Dear Ma,
I got your letter to-night. I got the newspapers yesterday and was I glad to get them. It was like getting news from an outside world. The kids in the barrack went wild trying to get them. I got a letter from Violet tonight also. She sent me some stamps and they came in very handy.
I'm getting to like this place a lot. I feel great - better than I ever felt before. I'll weigh myself before I close the letter and see how much I gained. I was 141 lbs stripped in the Army base. I'm in bed every night by half past nine. I drink about half a quart of milk at breakfast. Boy, do I eat. I even swipe cookies and bread and put them in my pockets and carry them out of the mess hall. I eat about three times as much as I did at home.
I got a job on the Army overhead in camp and it's soft. All I've done so far is smooth cement floors they are putting in. I did pick and shovel too. About one pick an hour and one shovel a day. My boss is an old guy we call Pops and he is swell. I sit in the shade half the day.
I hope it didn't cost too much to send me those things and get the pictures developed but I'd like to have them. As soon as I get the pictures I send them to you.
This company fights a lot of fires out here and that is the hardest work. I haven't had to go yet. Cunningham had to go today. He couldn't dodge it. I'm getting good at dodging work. Sometimes on a fire the fellows don't get back for two or three days and they sleep on the ground. I won't have to go on any. (Influence)
I'm glad to hear that Peggie is well. When I used to get home sick I used to think of her and say 'Why should I kick. If Peggie can do it, I can.'
I'm on the camp newspaper in this camp. I draw the cartoons and help print it.
This place is the sticks, no kidding. About one automobile goes by a day. All we see is cows and horses. We have to roll most of our cigarettes. There is hardly any grass. Just bushes and sand and rocks. There are no paved roads and some of them are on the sides of the mountains like this. (Note - See the drawing in the letter.)
There are a lot of minerals in the water out here. I am getting used to it now and it tastes sweet.
How are all of Ellen's boyfriends. Violet tells me Andy told her he is engaged. (ha-ha)
I got a nice tan now. I am practically black from the waist up. I am used to the sun now. It is dark at 8 o'clock up in the mountains. Well I'll run up to the cook shack and see how much I weigh. (later) They won't let anyone in the store room so I guess I'll have to wait but I must have gained some. Well I'll see you in September.
Love to all
Jim"
(What was the matter with Peggie? Hannie used to say that Peggie was always crying as a kid, but I never knew anything was wrong with her!
And I am laughing at Jim asking about all my mother's boyfriends!
And who was Violet?)
Jim was not listed in the 1937 Watertown Directory - he must have come home in September to finish school. He graduated in 1938 - there is no directory for that year to see where he was working.
I do want to mention that Ma was listed in that 1937 Watertown Directory as "Margaret wid John h 6 Green" But who is "Theresa E r 6 Green" = Theresa E Keohane rooming at 6 Green Street? Hannie's middle name was Theresa I think but she would have been about 13. Was Aunt Nellie's middle name Theresa? Would this be her - Theresa Ellen Keohane? She was listed in the 1942 Boston Directory as working for Mr Russell. The only other Theresa Keohane I can think of is Theresa from Canada - her mother was Minnie Keohane, a sister of John Keohane. But I never heard that she visited from England during WWII. And she would have been a kid.
The 1939 Watertown Directory showed Jim working at Abbott Products Company at 36 Pleasant Street. I wonder if he picked up a skill in the CCC.
Russell Abbott was the proprietor of Abbott Products Company - the company made aquariums - he resided at 105 Palfrey Street.
In the 1940 census we saw that Jim was listed as a foreman in a metal factory.
We saw in the 1942 Watertown Directory that Jim was still working at Abbott Products Company.
Jim registered for the draft in 1942. James Patrick Keohane was living at 6 Green Street, Watertown, Middlesex, Mass. This was changed at some point to 183 Waltham St, West Newton. Mailing address was the same. He was 21 - he was born Feb 4, 1920 in Watertown, Mass. He was a sheet metal worker.
Margaret Keohane of 6 Green St, Watertown would always know his address. His employer was Irving Jennings, 36 Pleasant St, Watertown which was also his place of work. James Patrick Keohane signed the form.
So the address of employment was the same but the name of his employer was different.
(Jim was 141 lbs in the CCC in 1937 so he had gained some weight by the time he registered for the draft.)
I found a listing in the same 1942 Watertown Directory for The Jennings Co (I E Jennings resided in Winchester) manufactured light equipment, 36 Pleasant St.
I found a 1942 marriage index for Jim but no marriage certificate - he would be listed in Book 118 Page 112. That is the only information the index gives. I would have to go to the Watertown Town Hall for a copy of the marriage certificate.
Jim married Bertha Thomas from Waltham. They had a rocky start to their life together. We have to remember that they met 70 years ago - times were different then.
My mother and Hannie told me that sometimes Jim would be home resting after work. Bertha would arrive at the door asking for him - Jim would tell my mother or Hannie to tell her that he was in bed or not home. Bertha would either wait for him or come back later. This was not the big problem. The issue for Ma, my grandmother, was that Bertha was not Catholic. I don't know if this was a problem for my mother or her sisters. Although I do remember years later walking up the hill from Falmouth Harbor to Cullen's cottage on Falmouth Heights - my mother, Hannie, Cynthia and Kathleen Keohane, myself and maybe a couple more of us kids. My mother and Hannie were asking Cynthia and Kathleen if they had decided which Church they would attend - Jim's or Bertha's - all the time pushing the Catholic Church. I was a teenager and remember being horrified at my mother and Hannie. I think I said something like "give it a rest - what difference does it make" and got a glaring look from my mother. The funny part is that I had great faith then when I was young - but not so much now - I am interested in the different religions - so many similarities - fewer differences. As long as you lead a good life, do what you can to help others, who cares what label you choose.
Anyway, I guess Ma was against the marriage. It also could not be held in St. Patrick's Church because Bertha did not convert as we saw in my father's letter - Jim and Bertha had to be married in the rectory. I don't know if they had a ceremony in Bertha's Church. Ma would not go to the wedding, but my mother and Hannie went. I don't know about Peggy and Rita or the rest of the family. I don't know if any of Bertha's family was there. I always felt sad for Jim - he had to grow up so fast, he had done so much for Ma and his sisters, and now Ma would not go to his wedding.
I don't know much about Bertha unfortunately. The Keohanes did not live in Watertown like the Mannings, Huliston's, and Navins - Rita and the Walshes lived in Waltham so we all saw each other quite often and knew our other cousins quite well. Everyone would be happy to see Jim and the Keohane cousins - it seemed that they came to visit us - we did not seem to visit them that often. My brother Johnny has great memories of staying with the Keohanes during the summer - and Jimmy Keohane stayed with us at Falmouth Heights as company for Johnny during our 2 week July vacations.
I remember Bertha being quiet and a good baker! It must have been difficult for her to know that Ma did not approve of the marriage. I hope no one else made her feel uncomfortable.
I think I found some information on www.ancestry.com and familysearch.org. I thought my mother or Hannie said that Bertha was living in Waltham when she used to come to Green Street. So I wasn't sure when I found a Brighton birth certificate for a Bertha Thomas whose parents were living in Medford.
The returns are the Births Registered in the City of Boston for the year 1918. Return #3546 was for March 11, 1918 for Bertha May Thomas - father was William J and mother was Mabel C Bradley - Physician was C Kickham - Place of Birth was St Elizabeth's Hospital - parents lived in Medford - father was a steam engineer - he was born in England - mother was born in Pelham, Ma (near Amherst.)
The 1920 US Census of Medford showed the Thomas family renting 1 Metcalf Street in Medford. The head of the family was William J Thomas who was 48 years old - he immigrated in 1885 and was still an alien. He was able to read and write. He was born in England - he was a traction engineer.
I looked up traction engineering on https://www.ziprecruiter.com/e/What-Does-a-Traction-Power-Engineer-Do.
"A traction power engineer typically works in the transit and rail industry and is responsible for developing design/concepts to clients and project team members. Other responsibilities in this career may include performing engineering studies and analyses that assist the project manager in establishing a budget, cost estimates, and overall project schedules. As part of your duties, you may need to design and prepare diagrams, communications, substation layouts, and grounding grids, selection of substation equipment specifications, proposals, metering, construction costs, reports, analysis, and technical studies for the traction power distribution systems."
By the 1930 Census the Thomas family were renting 757 Boston Street in Lynn for $30/month. William was now 59; he was 39 at his first marriage. He was a steam engineer contractor and was at work yesterday.
Mabel was 37 - she was 17 at her first marriage. John E Thomas was 19 - he was not attending school - and he was not working. Gertrude was 18 and attending school. Kenneth was 15 - Bertha was 12 - they were attending school.
757 Boston Street is the red icon in the center of the map below. It is in West Lynn. I used to be a visiting nurse in Lynn and Saugus back in the 1970s until the energy crisis hit, and I was stranded a couple of times without enough gas to get home to Watertown. I loved that job - I worked 10 am to 6 pm - I missed the traffic in both directions - I could go out at night and sleep until 8am in the morning. I left that job to work for the Belmont-Watertown VNA - there couldn't have been a better commute!
I found a 1935 Waltham High School yearbook entry for Bertha so the family moved to Waltham from Lynn at some point. Bertha is 3rd down on the left. "Bertha May Thomas - 'Bud' - Where would you get 50 men? - Scrapbook and Stamp Collecting - Running races with the 8:00 bell - Art School - To Be An Interior Decorator."
This is Bertha, isn't it? Very attractive.
I found a 1936 Waltham Street Directory that listed:
Bertha M Thomas rooming at 68 Adams Street.
John E Thomas at WW Co residing at 68 Adams Street.
Kenneth E Thomas, salesman, rooming at 68 Adams Street.
Mabel C Thomas, widow of William J Thomas, with a house at 68 Adams Street.
There was no listing for Gertrude - perhaps she got married.
The white house on the left is # 68 Adams Street.
I didn't find any information on the death of Bertha's father.
I also found a listing for Bertha in the 1939 Waltham Street Directory.
Bertha Thomas was a shoe worker rooming at 68 Adams Street.
John E Thomas, WW Co, rooming at 68 Adams Street.
Kenneth E Thomas, shoe worker, rooming at 68 Adams Street.
Mabel C Thomas, widow of William J, had a house at 68 Adams Street.
" Nov 21, 1942
Jacksonville, Fla
My dearest Ellen,
What an opening! A change has been made. I started to write to you on another sheet but the pen was lousay. Now I have a special pen from the main office and their special ink. They're really nice to us guys here. I am in the Catholic U.S.O. building adjacent to the Immaculate Conception Church here in Jax. It's swell here, the weather I mean. I might go swimming tomorrow. I came into the building tonight and it is hot. I was sweating gum drops or their facsimile. I suppose you are having a nice mild Indian Summer up there. Your letters from work amuse me no kidding. Your too cold to go out and down here it's to warm to stay in. You got the cake up there but I am eating it here. Please don't get jealous over a little thing like the weather, in fact don't get jealous at all as its bad for your complexion. I just wrote to my pater, the first letter in three weeks, the second time in two months. The camp he was stationed in here last war is the area my barracks are built on. What a queer coincidence. I almost flopped when I found out.
I am all alone tonight my dear as my friends have a date with a couple of - well you name them I can't. I'm hoping for their sake they get stood up.
I have two friends in Blanding, 40 miles away I have to look up tomorrow. I have clothes to wash etc & etc. I have a test paper that I am going to send you and maybe you can frame it. 100%. A perfect sheet. Not Bad! Eh!
They are having a dancing upstairs and I have about as much chance as a crippled monkey in a monkey trap. You spot something, ask her for a dance, Okay. You take two steps forward and one back and then whack. Some bloop about 11 feet high hits you in the back with his palm and you wind up on the floor. Just cutting in that's all. By the time you get up he's on the floor. The same procedure. They tap you on the shoulder and ask in a polite way but their palm feels like a 16 pound sledge hammer dropped from atop the Empire State Building. I quit Dancing. From now on I will dance with no one but you or by myself. How am I ever going to learn to polka? I'll have to see Arthur Murray or he'll have to see me one of the two. By the way I had some pictures taken at Kay's here in town and wow I expect wonders. No kidding. They have a young lady, about 26, who could make a prune look like a gold nugget and after looking at some of my pictures I'm afraid her talent will be absolutely necessary.
Did you get the snapshots I sent to you? I sent them over a week ago and you have not acknowledge receiving them as yet. I'm beginning to worry as to whether they got messed up in the mail. I hope not. I am keeping a scrap book or album of all the pictures we take here and I will send it to you when it gets formed. All my good shots I will send you, the bad ones I'll keep myself in my album. We can hire cameras just like yours here for nothing provided we buy the film and get it developed there.
Please send me Hannie's address as I have misplaced the one I had. She probably gets lonesome down there and a few lines now and then don't do any harm at all. I know how she feels. Just like you feel and just like I feel. Separated from loved ones and friends.
Mary Blackburn wrote me a couple of nice juicy nasty letters that really got deep into my skin but to be a gentleman I shall write her a nice letter of apology before she and her mother get on your ear. Don't believe them I didn't do it. Well maybe a little bit. But not that much. I have at last solved Mary. She can take a little bit but she can give plenty. Lots of meat but no potatoes or whatever you may call it.
How is your Aunt Nellie and Hannah anyway? I am glad to hear she got a vacation. Boy am I jealous, I am boint up. Every one is coming down here now, the dance floor is to hot. Like Hibernian Hall in the middle of winter. We have good bands here. One week an Army band the next a Navy band guess which is best. Your right!
We have a couple of WAAC and WAVES here tonight. They're not such bad scouts after all. They try to be one of the bunch. I am going to try to make a voice recording and send it to you. The room is full I don't know my chances but here's hoping.
I'll close now with love & stuff and proceed to apologize to Mary.
Love to you all.
Keep writing
John"
"Nov 30 1942
Jacksonville Fla
Dear Ellen
I intended to write to you earlier this week but I just didn't get around to it. I had liberty from Saturday afternoon at 2:30 until 9:30 AM today Monday. I didn't stay out overnight but a few of the boys did. One of the boys here got a weeks leave last September to get married and returned here. His wife has a good job in Washington so she stayed there while he came here. He hadn't seen her since they got married in Sept. She finally got around to coming down here last Thursday and stayed until this noon. I didn't see her but from what I heard she is really very pretty. All this pal of mine did all day long was write her name and sing and stuff of the sort. All the boys here thought he was rat traps but maybe they have no girl friends home waiting for them. No kidding honey I miss you a lot.
We just got over a short cold spell and every thing is pleasant again nice and warm. We start the late shift today - 2 pm - 10 pm. Its ok but we don't get much liberty while we're on it but we sleep longer in the morning which nobody objects too.
I went to the Duke football game here in town, quite a game. The station team here beat the pants off them. While at the game they announced the BC and Holy Cross score ----there were a million broken hearts here. We all had hopes BC would be unconquerable this year and sort of raise the esteem of New England football - they were knocked off so that's that. We are reading every word of the Grove fire down here and pouring over the casualty lists here. I don't know anyone yet but I have my fingers crossed and praying and hoping. The news was not so good for a few. Jimmy Lonero one of my buddies used to work there and knew the head waiter and a few more. There is a kid here that knew the Fitz---- Bros from Wilmington I guess. It was very sad news. The fire wiped out all other subjects. When I heard the knews I said a quick prayer that you weren't there. I don't know what would bring you there but I prayed never the less. It must have been horrible. The natives here can't seem to understand how so many people could get trapped in one place. Did you know anyone there? All the casualties have not reached here as yet but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. When I get a few hours clear and to myself I will sit down and write a book full of the things I forgot to tell you in my letters but may (be) should have. They were only incidental but may have been interesting. I know how it is at home to get letters from those or these big places??
I am trying to dig up a good, nice looking - not girl - but a neckerchief that will sort of keep your hair down when wintry blasts blow thru Watertown in the near future. If I don't get one good one, I'll get a couple of pretty good ones. Somehow I sort of picture you in a brilliantly colored neckerchief over your head. I usually pick pretty good colors. I think.
I sent you a couple of gifts for Christmas, kind of early, and I want you to write to me as soon as you receive them. Don't forget. That beautiful gift I promised you, - well - I couldn't get it. It was gone before I got there, but may I hope I got a worthy substitute. I helped my boys pick out some gifts and what I got for you they all thought was pretty nyce & I mean perity nyce. I done my best but I hope you all lak eat.
The boys here remind me of a bunch of girls. They wear the mirrors out admiring themselves and perking up. They buy the drug stores out of shampoo and other bottles of sweet essence of stuff to make themselves smell sweet and sharp looking when they go on leave or liberty. They even by cold cream and stuff to give themselves facials and stuff. Sometimes I wonder if they are men men or women. Being confined here like we are the boys' minds just simply go bango and they do practically any thing that gets in their head. Since I started to write this epistle I have been interupted about 1,000,000 times and boy am I boint up. I have to fall out now so take care kid and don't forget to write.
Love and luck
John"
His draft registration reported that James Michael Lonero of 14 Evergreen Square, Somerville had a phone - is that PRO 5264? He was 20 years old and was born July 20, 1941 in Somerville. Mrs Mary Lonero of 14 Evergreen Square will always know his address. No occupation or employer was listed. James M Lonero signed the form.
In the 1940 US Census of Somerville, Sovino/Soviro Lonero owned his home at 14 Evergreen Square which was worth $1000. He was 48, was born in Italy, and was a naturalized US citizen. He was a glass worker for a retail mirror company. He worked 13 weeks in 1939 and made $400.
This is our Jimmy Lonero!! He is buried in North Cambridge Catholic Cemetery.
This is a larger picture of the gravestone but is still difficult to read. It says:
Lonero
James M Lonero
AM 3 C USN - 1921-1943
Saverio Charles
1891-1975
1899 Maria Lonero 1994
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