USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Cochituate > Cochituate Jeep, 1945-1946 (World War II servicement) 1945-1946 > Part 8
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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Ist Lt. Francis Wilson writes from Cairo, Egypt: "Saturday, the day before Easter, marked the begin- ning of the sand storms in this area . . . This 'wild wind,' as the natives call it, was nothing short of a gale. It startled as a gentle whisper, Later, gaining con- fidence, the wind had the time of its life, taking the most common property of Egypt, namely sand, and blowing it in everyone's eyes, even distributing it inside all the buildings. At noon it was dark enough so that lights were needed to see one's way around through sand and dust. My room looked like an advertisement for a cement factory or glass works. Inches of sand covered everything even seeped into my 'sack'."
Carl F. Lindbohm, stationed at Camp Croft, S. C., has lost about 20 pounds. Maybe it's because they are taking their workout in a temperature of 90 degrees in the shade.
Mrs. Paul E. York, T. 3/c, the former M. Phyllis Noonan, a mem- ber of the WAVES, spent the week- end at her parents' home on Lake- view road. She is stationed in New York. Her husband, an SK of the Navy, was recently at Iwo Jima.
Mrs. Douglas Mckenzie, the former Eileen Fairclough, received word this week that her husband has left for overseas.
Sgt. John McDonald, husband
of the former Mary Sullivan, Pleasant street, now stationed in Germany with the 1st Army, writes home that it is very beautiful over there tho pretty well bombed. He is living in of Hitler's Youth Schools.
Another capsule for the fish bowl.
Robert Hooker, the fourth and last son of Mr. and Mrs. Ar- thur Hooker to enter the service was inducted into the Navy on April 9.
Everett Spear, CSF of the Sea- bees, at Camp Parks, Cal., writes home to his aunt, Miss Addie Dem- ers, the following, which is an ex- cerpt from his letter: "I think I enjoy this diving game as well as anything I ever did. Picture yourself on the Golden Gate Bridge in California. Well I was there, most anybody can get there. But there are very few people that can say that they were under the bridge a hundred and fifty feet deep That is when I get my thrill. When the tide started to come in it would sweep one from his feet. Bear in mind the diving gear weighs 193 lbs. Each shoe weighs 1712 lbs. The belt weighs 80 lbs. The headpiece or helmet weighs 53 lbs. You can see you have plenty of weight but the tide is stronger. On the bottom one is working in total darkness. You do all your work by the sense of touch. The bottom has anywhere from six inches to 48 inches of mud on the bottom. This makes it that much harder to walk in. But it is all for the good of the trade and I like it." It might be added that he has charge of a group of salvage divers of his bat- talion. He passed his test as top man. Congratulations, Everett!
Tommie Noonan, A.C., at Samp- son, N. Y., has spent most of his boot training time in the hospital. Having recovered from the German measles and tonsilitis, he is now confined to the hospital with scar- let fever. Chin up, Tommy!
Sgt. Ethel B. Luzar of the WACs and her husband, Cpl. Clifford Luzar, U.S.A., are spending a few days of their furlough with the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Lewis, Shawmut avenue Extension.
Pfc. Wallace Decker, having re- covered from eye injuries received during combat, has now been placed back from the lines, doing office work near Paris.
James Noonan, T 2/c, who has been an instructor in a torpedo school in California for some time, has received orders to report at an embarkation port.
Cpl. Elwin A. Potter, somewhere in Germany, writes of our "novel" little paper and thanks us
for sending it. In part, he says: "I am writing this from a German farm house in a town that has es- caped destruction, so it is really quite nice-all the comforts of home, almost."
Cpl. Benjamin B. Baum is back with the 9th Army after spending three days in Paris. His wife Natalie is waiting the arrival of gifts which he sent her. She was also very much surprised by re- ceiving on Easter morning, a lovely orchid corsage, which he sent through a Framingham florist.
David Allen, stationed in England, writes to say that the Jeep is doing a wonderful piece of work in keep- ing the boys acquainted with the home town. He thought the pic- ture puzzle was just great even though he rates only as a camper.
Bill Hynes, who is just com- pleting "boot training" at Samp- son, N. Y., wishes to congratulate the people who are responsible for the Jeep. He writes it is great fun to read about so many of one's friends and their activities. He proudly admits his score on the picture quiz was one hundred percent.
Pvt. Herbert W. Ames has fin- ished his basic training at Camp Wheeler, Georgia, and arrived home Monday night. He has a 10-day furlough and reports to Fort Meade, Maryland.
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The Cochituate Jeep
Servicemen's Column
To the Cochituate Jeep:
Fnally I received what for a long time I have been waiting for. Something like
The Cochituate Jeep that brings one news from the boys and Town folks that I knew.
Thank you and please send me the Jeep wherever I go.
Yours,
Paul De Freitas
*
Wednesday, April 11, 1945 To The Jeep:
(Best little paper there is)
Reading in the service column about the Wilson boy down in Blanding gave me a big laugh. Sure did.
I took basic down there and I went him one better. I counted the time I could come home in hours, finally the last day of basic arrived, happy? I walked on clouds but did I get home? Yeah after being there eleven months twelve days and six hours then at 12 midnight the Top Kick comes along and tells me to check in my stuff and be prepared to move at 0500 the following day well 36 hours later I'm home and 14 days later I'm in Meade, Md.
So where do we go from here boys?
Lots of luck to the folks at home and keep your morale booster go- ing the same way
and tell the Hardy boys I'll see them at the Burr sometime.
Regards to Mrs. Gerald and her helpers, Fred Perry, "Bill" Hynes, "Toke" Loker and the rest.
Yours,
Sgt. Stan Bethel (Scotty)
P. S. I have yet to run across anyone from town but hope if around camp to bump into the Wil- son boy.
Sgt. Kenneth A. LeDrew, son of Mr. and Mrs. Urbane LeDrew of Old Connecticut Path, is spending
his time in the Army, somewhere in the Philippines, instructing in the culinary art of preparing and serv- ing more attractive food to the Yanks. This was his profession be- fore entering the service on April 1, 1943.
In a very interesting letter re- ceived from "Red" Clifford, a former resident, he makes mention of hav- ing seen Billie MacArthur. "I just couldn't believe my eyes when I first saw him. I didn't dare to say 'Hello' for fear I was making a mistake. ... We are having liberties ashore and enjoy it very much. I spend part of my time ashore write. teaching native children how to They sure are fast at catching on. I attended a native christening one Sunday while ashore. I was walking along the beach when the natives walked up to me and one asked me if I would be a compadre. At first I didn't know what he meant. His com- panion explained in English that he asked if I would be a God- father to his baby son. I told him I would, so that is just what hap- pened. They make quite an af- fair of the occasion. An orchestra leads a group of people around the village before and after the chris- tening. These people are hard hit for food and clothing and we do what we can to help them out."
Pvt. Timothy Meagher is back in the Army and is over in Germany. He has had eleven years' previous service, leaving in '39 and joining up in '44. He has recently met some of his former Army buddies and feels right at home. Pvt. Meagher is in the 11th Tank Bat- talion under General Patton.
Philip M. Confrey, FKD 2/c, is at present on an LST in the South Pacific. He has been in the serv- ice one year and a half. His wife, a nurse at Cushing General Hospital, and small daughter live on Damon street.
Moron, The Funny Side
(To end all moron stories)
Have you heard about the little moron
who was arrested for not having more on?
who thought that manual labor was a Mexican?
who got off the bus backwards because he heard a lady say she was going to grab his seat when he got off?
who took the trolley home and made his mother take it right back?
who pushed the cow off the cliff because he wanted to hear the Jersey Bounce?
who had his eyeteeth taken out and now he can't see a thing he's saying ?
who walked by the refrigerator and saluted because he thought it was General Electric?
who took a ruler to bed to see how long he slept?
.. who heard he was going to die and went into the living room? who tried to sharpen his should- er blades?
who cut off his fingers so he could write shorthand?
who saw a man drowning in the deep blue sea and threw him a cake of soap so he could wash ashore?
who never wanted to marry be- cause he had a bachelor's de- gree?
who went to the football game because he thought the quarter- back was a refund?
who went into the florist shop to buy a defense plant?
who put his old man in the ice box so he could have some cold pop?
who slept on the chandelier be- cause he was a light sleeper?
who ate dynamite because he hoped his hair would come out in bangs?
who looked in his history book all day trying to find out who General Delivery was?
who took a bale of hay to bed with him to feed his night mare?
. who stayed up all night study- ing for a blood test?
who punched his eye so he could have a blind date?
who drank a bottle of mercu- rochrome so his dreams would be in technicolor?
who swallowed a thermometer so he could die by degrees? who ran around the bed trying to catch some sleep?
who stood on the corner with a piece of bread in his hand wait- ing for a traffic jam?
.. who took sugar and cream to the movies for the serial?
HUMAN LUGLIO LAURA
The Cochituate
Jeep
Conveyor Of News From The Folks At Home To Their Service Men And Women Everywhere
No. 7
May 4, 1945
MAIL ADDRESS
P. O. Box 70, Cochituate, Mass.
The sympathy of the townsfolks is extended to Mr. and Mrs. Clif- ford S. Moore and their family of Pemberton road in the loss by death of their eldest son, Pfc. Clif- ford G. Moore, USA, who has been reported missing in action since June, '42.
A personal letter from Gen. Mac- Arthur to his parents stated he had been a prisoner of war and died from disease at an unspecified date at Cabanatuan, Luzon.
He enlisted in December, 1940, as an aerial photographer in the Army Air Corps. He was stationed for ten months at the Savannah, Ga., air base. On October 24, 1941, he was ordered to the Philippines, arriving there between two and three weeks before the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is presumed that he was captured on Bataan.
Besides his parents, he is sur- vived by 3 brothers, Pfc. Robert Moore, stationed in Hawaii, Pfc. Norman Moore in Germany, Earl, at home, and 2 sisters, Mrs. John F. Yeager of this town and Mrs. Hazel Patriquin, residing tempor- arily in California.
Our President
Our President is dead, He has laid down his head. He worked hard all his life, His deeds will still survive.
He had sons in this war, Tonight their hearts are sore,
Before he was president he had many a fall,
He was in the White House long- est of all.
He was in the White House thir- teen years,
"n those years he shed many tears. Tears for one, tears for all,
But those tears were bound to fall.
He never lived to see the end Of all his glorious work; He always knew that some day Death would near him lurk.
He was fighting the second world war.
To our side he was loving,
At their side he was sore, And he was always ready to fight some more.
We loved him more and more He was a very good man. He loved us more and more, We mourn from shore to shore.
Thelma A. Brannen Grade 4, Cochituate School
Honor Roll Ralph J. Lumley
Lots More Room Board The Jeep
You who are in the service, please send in news items; make them short and snappy to fit this size paper. You are interested in the others and they are interested in you and your experiences. Are you getting butter, cigarettes or good meat?
(Continued on Page 5)
War Bonds
Our servicemen, six of them, are indebted to the following donors in this issue:
Mr. and Mrs. George C. Lewis Mr. and Mrs. J. Eric Nelson Boys of the Highway Dept. Business men of Main street Group of women of Corman Lane and W. Commonwealth road.
23 April 1945
The Jeep
I am sorry that I was unable to draw all of the names out of the "bowl" this week but other times are ahead.
Really, Fellows, our old "Home Town" is behind you 100%. I am happy to be around again and I am constantly praying that all my old friends will soon return. Best of luck, "Mates."
Sandy
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The Cochituate Jeep
NOTIFY
The Jeep of any change in your mail address.
Write for special news that you may wish; The Jeep is at your service.
Please send something of interest
for the Service Chit-Chat Column regularly-Keep in
touch around the Globe- through this column.
Town News
Jackie Blomgren recently re- ceived a letter from Bobby Mer- ritt. The letter was written while Bobby was at sea.
Misses Marjorie and Edwina La- reau spent a few days at the Sun- light Camp for Children in Egypt, Mass. They were down getting things in order for the opening of Camp in June.
Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson of Sunset road are proud parents of a baby boy born at the Leonard Morse Hospital last week.
Chief Harry Craig has been on the sick list again this week. He expects to go to the Veterans Hos- pital sometime soon.
Miss Marjorie Lareau spent the weekend in Brockton visiting Mr. and Mrs. Edmund O'Leary. Mrs. O'Leary is the former Florence Holmes whom many of us remem- ber as our sixth grade teacher. Mr. and Mrs. O'Leary have two child- ren, Patty, age eight, and Edmond, Jr., better known as Teddy, age eight weeks.
Mr. and Mrs. August Dath of School street returned home on Saturday after spending the win- ter in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Mrs. Doris Snow, genial clerk at Peck's market, has word from her husband, Elliott, who is in the South Pacific, that he has received only one the
copy of "Jeep," the April 6th edition. The other editions should catch up to you, Elliott, as they have all been mailed and here's hoping you en- joy them as well as you enjoyed the April 6th edition.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur E. Peck of North Main street, Cochituate, an- nounce the engagement of their daughter, Eunice D., to Pfc. Nich-
Wins War Bond
Cpl. NORMAN W. SLEEPER He is on assignment with the M. P.'s in France.
olas Inferrere, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Inferrere of 15 Sheridan street, Natick. Miss Peck is the owner of Susan's Beauty Salon, East Central street. Pfc. Inferrere is now on leave after having spent the past year on duty in Iceland.
Mrs. Alfred P. Kimball, the former Ruth Merrill, has just re- turned from Charlesgate Hospital, Boston, having recovered from an appendectomy.
Lt. Bill Marston sent his wife a package recently in which were a couple of baby rattles. He planned it just right for his wife presented him a baby boy, William F. Jr., on the 19th, Patriot's Day.
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. J. Scotland are on a trip in New York, com- bining business with pleasure as they are visiting with their eldest son, Donald and his family.
S/Sgt. Charles H. Loker, a form- er resident of Main street, and manager of many of the Howard Johnson restaurants in and around New York City, received a copy of the Jeep, and was happy to read of the various people whom he know when a resident of little old Ccchituate. He is at present in France in Hdqtrs. section of the 467th NPEG Co.
Master Donald Decker, brother of Pfc. Wallace Decker, is recov- ering from an appendectomy per- formed at the Morse Hospital on the 25th of April.
Mr. and Mrs. John Wright were overjoyed to receive a telegram from their son, Bob, of the Sea Bees, saying he had landed in San Francisco and hoped to be home soon. He has been in the Pacific theater close on to three years.
Through her own efforts, Mrs. Mary Patnode Corman Lane, suc- ceeded in getting a sum equal to the price of a War Bond for a serviceman. Those who donated were Mesdames Patnode, Moran, Hersey, Whitney, Perry, Ferguson, Starrett, Pettigrew, Legee, Jarbo and Miss Hersey. They send best wishes to all those in service.
For one day, and Sunday at that, our little town had considerable excitement. Last Sunday a heavy truck went out of control in front of Mrs. Thomas Doherty's home on Pemberton road smashing into the front of the house, tearing off the piazza and breaking off a hyd- rant close by. Fortunately no one was injured in the crash. In Way- land, a young couple of Waltham were injured when the motorcycle they were riding skidded on a soft shoulder on Old Sudbury road, near the old stone bridge. A Bos- ton man, Donald McDonald by name, was found dead in a cottage off State road West, after having had a party with friends on Sat- urday. The cause of death is still being investigated.
Gilbert C. Stevens, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fitz H. Stevens, W. Plain street, is at his home on vacation. Gilbert made many social calls while in town and told one of the Editors how happy he was to
think we had such a fine little paper. He has already subscribed to it, and looks forward eagerly to its issue. He said he would like to hear from some of his old bud- dies. This is his address: 5 W. 53rd Street,
N. Y. New York 23,
According to the Wayland cen- sus figures recently completed, the town has 3,901 inhabitants, which 2,343 are in Cochituate.
of
Miss Norma Lindsay was the guest of honor at a shower given by Mrs. Edith Dial (the former Edith Dunbar) on Tuesday eve., April 24th. She was the recipient of many useful gifts. She is to be married May 5th to Harold Gagne, a discharged veteran, whose
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The Cochituate Jeep
Town News
(Continued from Page 2)
home is in Lawrence. He is now employed at Telechron in Ashland. They will be married at St. Zeph- irin's rectory at 3 P.M. Upon their return from their honeymoon in New Hampshire they will reside in Natick.
Mr. and Mrs. William Hosmer of Natick were tendered a party in honor of their silver wedding an- niversary, April 19 at the home of Mrs. Parker Groton. Mrs. Hosmer is the sister of Mrs. Groton. The Grotons celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary on April 14th.
Who is the new member of the Derby Club? May be Fred Gibbs? The Boy Scouts did a fine clean-
ing up of paper on last Saturday and on Sunday they assisted in collecting eight thousand pounds for the United National Clothing collection.
The summer season is certainly coming in at Dudley pond. The yachting enthusiasts are out and The Old Commodore" "Ice
of House Point" Navy Yard has got his fleet out of dry-dock, and into the Drink. The Fleet has all been newly painted a beautiful Roebuck Maroon. The Canoes-"Myrtle," "Daisey-Mae" and "Hyacinth"- have their names inscribed in gor- geous green letters. All are outfitted with new pillows stuffed with HAY. Fishing boats are "The Sperm," "The Whale" and "The Mackerel," and the pride of the fleet, "The Pickerel."
O.P.A. ceiling prices will prevail this year: 35 cents per hour with- out-50 cents per hour with-oars or paddles. Bring your lunch and enjoy a good days fishing at the old pond.
The Derby Club plans are being made for an all day outing under the sponsorship of "The Com- modore."
Mrs. Charles Tillson and Miss Ena Tillson gave an afternoon tea on Thursday, April 26th, to meet Mrs. Joseph M. Hampson. Those present were Mesdames Pollock, Ward, Withams, Wilbur, Estey, An- zivino and Lawrence.
Wins War Bond
Pvt. ROBERT H. SCOTLAND An ambulance driver of the 498th Amb. Co. Motor.
Joan Lizotte celebrated her 7th birthday cn April 15th. She had a party and fifteen little girls were present. Her table was prettily decorated and she received many lovely gifts. Birthday cake, ice cream, and punch were served. Her little brother, 'Bobby', also cele- brated with her. He is 3 years old. Joan hopes her uncle S 1/c Edward Lizotte stationed in the South Pacific will read this ac- count.
Mr. and Mrs. John Wales of Edgewood road are the parents of a baby girl born April 14, at the Framingham Hospital.
Little Jimmy Tobin, 7, of Maid- en Lane is a patient at the Mass. General Hospital. Jimmy was ac- cidentally hit in the eye with a niece of shingle while playing, and the retina of his eye was injured.
Mrs. Rocco Romano received some interesting souvenirs from her son, S 1/c Anthony Romano in the South Pacific.
Franklin Pierce, 81, formerly of Cochituate, died suddenly on April 19, while visiting his daughter, Mrs. John Wa'es, of 74 Edgewood road.
High School News
By Margaret Lawrence
At a recent assembly it was proven that an artist can be hu- man. Miss George of the Vesper George School of Art gave an in- teresting address on the practical artistic ability. Plastic cloth and cooking utensils were illustrations. Everyone came out of the audi- torium with a more sympathetic viewpoint toward art.
On Wednesday, the 25th, the Dramatic Club gave
a "first night" performance of their nomest, production before the Wayland Grammar School students of the upper grades. The audience was exceptionally receptive. If such hilarity is produced at the regular showing Friday night, the play will be a success.
During vacation week the school underwent a serious change. Those double seats in room 2 have been divided. They can't do that to us!
Two of our more prominent seniors, Albert Sanderson and Sam- uel Russell, made a tour of col- leges the latter part of the vaca- tion, ending up at Brown Univer- sity. "Poor little Rhode Island" seems to have impressed the boys greatly.
Mrs. Kelley's bond campaign is a great success. The room having the highest percentage of students purchasing twenty cents or more in stamps wins the Minute Man flag. For two successive
weeks the seniors have held it.
4
The Cochituate Jeep
Chit-Chat Column
SHOPPING TRIP
Marion Dew, wife of Richard B. Dew, of West Plain street, won- ders if any of you other boys have had this experience on your shop- ping trips.
Dick writes: "I went shopping and got some things for you. They are not what I wanted but the best that I could find.
Mv total Spanish of about four words, salesgirl who weighed about 200 lbs. and her four of five words of English, and trying to get sizes and colors. Well, forty five minutes later we agreed on what I wanted.
I think about half the store was on the counter when I left. They all smiled but I not sure whether it was because I bought something or because I was going.
There were three others of my crew in town on about the same errand and they insisted on seeing my purchases. It was about what they wanted so-o-o back we go, just about the time everything was put away, and out, it all came again. I do not believe I had ever been so uncomfortable and then laughed so hard at someone else going through the same thing. It was like a Mack Sennett com- edy, not what they were saying but the gestures and the misun- derstood interpretations. Then the man who apparently owned the store brought us coffee. I tell you it was a riot.
Well, it wound up with the oth- ers buying a lot of odd stuff and making fun of the salesgirl's shape? which she took like a good sport. We then parked the bundles at the local USO and all went for a glass of beer to laugh it off and to cool off."
Andimeshk, Iran April 9
Dear Friends:
I'm not too sure that there will be many of you who will remem- ber me but I feel that there must be some-or why would I be re- ceiving that delightful little pack- age known as The Jeep? Today's mail brought me my third copy of the paper and it becomes increas- ingly interesting with each issue.
Wins War Bond
CHARLES B. FERGUSON, A/S Aren't you a lucky fellow, Boody? In the service just couple of weeks!
I should like to thank all my friends in the town for the nice gesture of sympathy in the paper toward my sister Fannie and my- self-it was most thoughtful of you all.
As some of you are aware, I am now starting my fifth year in the army-no, I'm not a career man- and have just celebrated (?) my second anniversary in old Iran, formerly known as Persia. I've been stationed everywhere from the Persian Gulf to the Russian border with most of my time being spent in the vicinity of Kazvin and Hamadan in the northern part. The former town is quite famous for rugs, delicious fruits. and wines. Hamadan is believed to be the town from which the Three Wise Men started their journey and, in addition, it also produces some beautiful rugs and silverware. I've spent many of my leisure hours watching tiny little girls weaving rugs in a factory in Hamadan and, as my family will vouch, not all my time was spent in watching.
am with a
1 Special Service Regiment of Engineers whose main mission was known to many of you-keeping open the supply line to Russia. As to how well the job was accomplished, I'll have to let some one else tell. It has been a very interesting assignment but, in common with all the other men, I'm ready to call it a day and move on-preferably home, but only when Mr. Tojo and his co- horts have been driven back into their holes.
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