USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1941-1945 > Part 16
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53
The First Aid Parties have performed many public services under careful guidance of the several doctors and the Chairman of that division, Mrs. Earl Grenquist.
The Women's Division under Miss Luttropp have been very co-operative and have covered many of the districts that were undermanned during our Air Raid Drills.
Our Report Center is well equipped and is classified as a Class 2 Report Center by the State Committee.
Signed, R. P. W.
BLACK-OUT DIVISION :
Mr. Benjamin O. Dawes, Chairman.
Immediately upon the issuance of the Executive Order covering Black-out regulations by the Governor of the Commonwealth, steps were taken to comply with it. All Post and Air Raid Wardens were fully informed and in- structed as to their duties under the regulations, and through them, the public was likewise informed and in- structed in what would be required.
The Town has had one local practice Black-out and has participated in Regional and State Black-outs, all with excellent results.
-
-184-
The Coastal Dim-out, ordered by General Sherman Miles, Commander of the First Corps Area, was fully complied with the first night after receipt of the order. Duxbury was the first Town to fully comply and one of the first on the entire New England Coast.
Periodical inspection of dim-out are made by Inspect- ing Officers of the First Corps Area and thus far, five minor infractions have been reported in Duxbury over a period of nine months.
The following quotation from Dim-out Report No. 32 of December 16, 1942 is evidence of the results we have maintained. This report covers the Coast Line from Nantucket to Boston-"General conditions unsatisfac- tory except in the Town of Duxbury ... Where the best results are found as in the Town of Duxbury they are bearing down on a few simple rules for homes and for stores. Here everyone seems to understand just what is required."
Signed, Edward J. Butler, Captain Infantry Adjutant.
These results have been obtained and maintained through the local efforts of our Post and Air Raid War- dens aided by the fine co-operation of the Duxbury Police Department. These men have given of their time and put aside personal conveniences to carry on nightly patrols and inspections over a period of months.
Every citizen and resident of Duxbury can evidence their full appreciation of the work that has been done by co- operating in a strict observance of these vitally important Seacoast Dim-out Regulations.
Signed, B. O. D.
-185-
POLICE DIVISION :
James T. O'Neil, Chairman
This report covers the organization, training and activi- ties of the Duxbury Auxiliary Police in conjunction with the local Civilian Defense Committee.
The first meeting was held at Legion Hall on May 7, 1942 with twenty-two members present at which time the Organization was formed, the reasons outlined, and a prospective course of study, instruction and work laid out. A regular meeting night was set, and in subsequent meetings, a course in Red Cross, one in Police Procedure, Drill and practical application was thoroughly gone through. The men were sworn in by the Selectmen and had regular police duties assigned them which they han- dled in the proper manner.
During Air Raid and Black-out Drills the force all have regular given posts to cover and they assisted the Regular Police both on the Fourth of July as well as Halloween. The men were uniformed and equipped which greatly assisted them in the performance of their duties.
At each regular meeting new State, Federal or Army Regulations were discussed and the proper interpretation passed along to them.
Signed, J. T. O'N.
FIRE DIVISION :
Eben N. Briggs, Chairman.
The members of my Department have responded to all Air Raid Drills in the past year and I believe we are well
-186-
equipped to do our part in the advent of such an emer- gency.
Signed, E. N. B.
MEDICAL DIVISION :
Dr. C. H. King, Chairman.
Dorcas P. Grenquist, Chairman, (First Aid Parties)
The Duxbury Emergency First Aid Station, function- ing under the Duxbury Committee on Public Safety, has been set up in the basement of the Pilgrim Congregational Church with Dr. King at the head. The personnel con- sists of 4 doctors, 4 nurses, and 25 first aiders and am- bulance drivers, with additional members during the sum- mer months.
The First Aid crew has been thoroughly trained in Red Cross First Aid and is equipped to handle a possible emer- gency due to belligerent action.
All members of the First Aid crew report to the station in case of either practice or real Black-out or Air Raid and immediately prepare the station and ambulances to be ready to answer any calls for First Aid or medical care. Complete equipment for three station wagon ambulances have been loaned by the Red Cross and medical supplies donated by the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety. Two sets of ambulance equipment are kept at the Church and one set at the Central Fire Station.
ยท
The First Aid Crew have already assisted in 9 civilian accidents including several fractures, drowning and emer- gency transportation to various hospitals. The entire crew is on call for both peace time and war emergencies.
Signed, D. P. G.
- 187 -
SOCIAL SERVICE COMMITTEE :
Mrs. John Flannery, Chairman.
Under the Health and Social Services of the Duxbury Civilian Defense, the Social Services Group is a committee of nine members.
This Committee is responsible for Transportation, In- formation, Hospital Arrangements, Lodging, Recrea- tional Centers, Entertainment, Hospitality in Homes, Can- teens, and personal problems of Service Men stationed in the Town, also the Service Men and Women from the Town, when such services are desired or needed.
The men who have been stationed here have had Sun- day and Holiday Dinners, Dancing Parties, large and small and many dinners in small groups. Approximately 85 dinners have been served and at parties there has been entertainment for about 180.
Current magazines, games, a Ping Pong table, 3 Bad- minton sets, stationery, candy, cigarettes and playing cards have been distributed to the various barracks.
Furniture, a refrigerator, radios, clocks, window shades and draperies have been furnished by this Committee.
Transportation to Boston and back, and trips to the movies during the men's free time, have been arranged.
.
With the help of Mr. Edwin Noyes, as complete a list as possible of the men and women in the Services has been compiled and is being kept by this group.
The Committee purchased and presented to the Town a Service Flag, which now flies at the Town Offices.
.
-188-
A Christmas box was sent to each Service Man and Woman registered from Duxbury.
Signed, J. F.
DUXBURY DEFENSE CORPS :
Miss Vera K. Luttropp, Captain.
I herewith submit a report on the activities of the Dux- bury Unit of the M. W. D. C. for the Town of Duxbury during the past year.
The Unit was organized in February, 1942 with its headquarters on St. George Street which has been manned twenty four hours daily. Under the Duxbury Unit many women have been trained in A. R. P. work and are already established as wardens in the Town.
During the Black-outs in March and April we supplied wardens for sectors 18, 19, 20, 22. On December 6th, during the A. R. P. and State Guard Activation, wardens were supplied in Sectors 17, 18, 19, 20, and on December 16th on the State-wide Black-out we also covered the above sectors. During the Stamp and Bond drive they worked as a Unit, and now they are working under the War Service Division on the Block Plan.
In October it was decided to train a Junior group of girls, on the same lines as we have been trained and that group, now in the course of training, consists of about twenty girls in age from fourteen to sixteen. The pur- pose of this group, though young, is to supply Duxbury with as large a trained group of civilians as possible so as to be able to cope with any disaster as might befall us.
The Duxbury Unit, as you know, stands by at all times to help the Town in any event. For disaster we are ready
- 189-
with out Motor Transport for the purpose of evacuation, carrying of supplies to and from or within the Town to assist in First Aid, and litter work and ambulance driv- ing, warden duty or canteen work. Some have received their State certificates in Fire Fighting. I am in hopes of enlarging the group when its purpose is better understood by the Town.
Signed, V. K. L.
SERVICES AND SUPPLIES DIVISION :
Henry S. Craig, Chairman.
The Service and Supplies Division is set up to maintain a normal flow of goods and services into the Town and to re-establish this flow as quickly as possible after dis- ruption due to enemy action.
During the past year the various members of the di- vision in charge of fuel, food, Public Utilities and trans- portation have been conducting surveys, gathering in- formation and contacting sources of supplies, to deter- mine the normal and emergency needs of the community, and how they may be best obtained through the co-opera- tion of the Civilian Defense Organization and private operating courses.
While the information thus gathered is primarily of use to the Local Division, it has been made available to the Regional and State Authorities in order that Dux- bury may share in the co-ordination of effort on a Re- gional and State-wide basis.
The Division is represented in the Report Center dur- ing all Alerts so that its members may become immedi- ately active should any need arise. Contact is maintained
IS.
ry
es dy
1
of at ut
d 1,
y
r
S d y
.
-190-
through it with the Telephone Co., Gas and Electric Com- panies and the Water and Highway Bureaus, to inform them quickly of any breakdown of their services through- out the Town.
Signed, H. S. C.
IDENTIFICATION DIVISION :
Earl W. Chandler, Chairman.
Early in the year steps were taken to secure the Per- sonal History Records of those engaged in Civilian De- fense activities, as a preliminary to the actual photo- graphing of the personnel. Early in April a date was set and the first group had the pictures taken. Later, in July another group was ready and their pictures were taken. As the Defense Committee had made no provision to take care of the expense this was paid by each worker individually.
It would be a great help in keeping the records up to date if the Chairman of each Division would submit a list of those working in his Divison. This would enable us to keep a line on any who have not completed their identification.
Photographed at April session 134
Photographed at July session 101
235
Photographs not claimed by owner 26
Master cards on hand but Photos not taken 19
The following have been lost to the Committee : Resigned and moved from Town 5
Have become members of the Armed Forces 11-16
-
-191 -
The number active in Civilian Defense who have completed the Identification requirement
219
Signed, E. W. C.
WAR SERVICE DIVISION :
Miss Constance Young, Chairman.
In January the Women's Division continued with the training program, and classes in Chemical Warfare, War- den Work, Motor Transport and First Aid was given. These classes graduated in February, at which time Mr. O'Neil, then Chairman of the Duxbury Committee on Public Safety, presented the diplomas and certificates, after which there were moving pictures of Defense Work.
The new Short Civilian Defense Course for School and Home was released by the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety in February, and was given in Duxbury, both at the High Schol and at the Unitarian Church. Over 50 people came to this course at the High School, from all parts of Duxbury, and many members and friends came to the course at the Unitarian Church.
The Nutrition Conference was well represented by mem- bers of the Women's Division, as was the Garden Food Preservation and Nutrition program in March.
The Women's Division helped in securing Telephone Operators for the Report Center, and worked on the Bond and Stamp Drive in the summer of 1942. The women also have helped in Warden duty during the Back-outs and tests, covering outlying districts of Duxbury for the Pro- tection Division.
The Women's Division secured donations of furniture, rugs and radio, and other things for the Allen House,
35
0 a e
-192-
where the MP's are stationed. They also helped on the Scrap and Tin Can drive. Through their training pro- gram they have a group of High School girls training now, and working on War Service. The girls are learning Me- chanics, Warden or A. R. P. work, Chemical Warfare, First Aid, and Canteen.
In November, the Women's Division was changed to the War Service Division, and from then on work has been done, with the able assistance of the Chairman of the Duxbury Committee on Public Safety, to co-ordinate all War Services. On December 7th a conference was held for the Region, in Brockton, on the Block or Neigh- borhood Plan, under the direction of the War Service Division. The Plan has been put into effect in Duxbury, and is co-ordinated with all Divisions of the Duxbury Committee on Public Safety, and is also helping the Red Cross. The Town has been divided into 22 sectors, similar to the Wardens' map, with a sector leader for each sector, and each sector leader has her own assistants. The War Service Division will work as a volunteer Service Bureau and Information Center.
May I thank the School Board for the use of the High School for training purposes, the Chief Air Raid Warden for his help and Mr. Coffin's Division for his help with the sector maps, and all those who are working to make the Block Plan a help to Duxbury's War Effort.
Signed, C. Y.
PLANNING AND TECHNICAL DIVISION :
William B. Coffin, Chairman.
The chief activity of the Planning and Technical Di- vision during the past year was the making of the large
-193 -
map which is located on the south wall of the Report Cen- ter's headquarters and providing the necessary equipment for its operation during the Alerts or actual Air Raids. The map is on a large scale and not only shows the di- vision of the Town into twenty two sectors with all such details as streets, important buildings, and services, Post Warden's residences and other vital features clearly in- dicated but also shows the approximate location of all houses and other minor structures in the Town.
Another activity of this Division was the sending of Mr. A. P. Richards, one of its members to attend the course given by the Chemical Decontamination School at the Massachusetts State College.
This Division has also assisted the War Service Division in preparing sector maps for the latter's use and through its Chairman, has at various times, endeavored to help the other Divisions in obtaining information by personal contact with the State Headquarters in Boston.
The Chairman feels that the value of his Division to
the local organization lies chiefly in supplementing the work of the other Divisions and therefore wishes to state that he is ready at all times to undertake any special as- signments in which his Division can be of service.
Signed, W. B. C.
MOUNTED PATROL DIVISION :
A. S. Churchill, Chairman.
This Division has very little to report at this time as it was not started until late Fall at which time there are only a few mounts in Town. With the opening of the
-194 -
Spring season and the advent of the Summer people I am in hopes to have a sizable unit.
Signed, A. S. C.
PUBLIC RELATIONS COMMITTEE :
Dr. W. O. Dyer, Chairman.
The following duties of the Publicity Division have been executed. Information relative to all sub-committees under the Public Safety Committee has been assembled. This material has been presented to the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee for his appproval. The reports have then been delivered to the local newspapers and cor- rect publication secured.
Signed, W. O. D.
SALVAGE DIVISION :
Walter G. Prince, Chairman.
Since my appointment early in 1942 the importance of salvage has been pronounced .. The need is still urgent.
Various people have helped me in the work and the personnel of the committee has changed. The intensive drive in the late summer required many to canvass and collect. Mrs. William McCarthy, with a corps of women, aided nobly at that time. From that fine group of workers, Mrs. McCarthy, Mrs. Moses Carr, and Miss Elliott, as secretary, continued their work on the Salvage Com- mittee. Reverend Walter Hunt, Messrs. Laurel Freeman, George Green, Ray Stearns and Stanley Johnson, as treas- urer, complete the committee at present.
We have collected and sold 76 tons of Scrap and had a net return of $845.78, which is most gratifying and sets
-195-
us above most towns around us. $20.00 has been paid out for local handling and some cumbersome articles have been exchanged for labor involved. Individuals have marketed over 50 tons of scrap in addition.
Our success has been due to the generosity of the citi- zens in giving materials and time, to the assistance of the school children, and to the business men in donating trucks and drivers.
Scarcity of labor in collecting made it extra burden- some for some of us and a policy of paying for some labor had to be adopted.
The funds have been distributed to worthy organiza- tions as follows :
Jordan Hospital
$100.00
Red Cross Drive
100.00
Observation Post
100.00
Social Service Committee
Duxbury Defense Committee
100.00
Eye Testing Machine for the
Duxbury School Children
100.00
Coast Guard Auxiliary
75.00
District Nurse Association
75.00
Duxbury Women's Defense Corps
50.00
Salvation Army 25.00
Fire Company No. 1
25.00
Fire Company No. 2
25.00
Boy Scouts (Local)
10.00
Boy Scouts (Council)
5.00
Girl Scouts (Local)
10.00
$800.00
-196-
GENERAL
The Organization is now composed of two hundred fifty nine men and two hundred one women and to these citizens and residents of Duxbury I want to extend my sincere thanks for their full co-operation both as to time which they have so generously given and the excellent spirit exhibited in all matters pertaining to the work of the Divisions with which they have been connected.
To my various Chairmen I want to say that without your whole-hearted co-operation Duxbury would not stand at the top in Civilian Defense. Our results have been to the extreme satisfaction of both Regional and State Headquarters, both of which have so expressed themselves to your Chairman on several occasions.
Out of our appropriation of $1000.00 we have expended $802.54 during the year, details of which will be found under the Financial Report of the Town Accountant. There have been several items that have not had the neces- sary attention during the past year that must be attended to early in 1943 and we are asking for $1800.00 for our appropriation for the new year. This amount still is much less than that of our surrounding towns.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRY L. TINKER, Chairman
Committee on Public Safety.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
Town of Duxbury
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1942
-
School Committee
For the year ending December 31, 1942
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Joseph W. Lund
Term expires 1945
Kenneth G. Garside
Term expires 1944
Herbert C. Wirt
Term expires 1944
J. Newton Shirley
Term expires 1945
Walter G. Prince
Term expires 1943
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in the Duxbury High School building at eight o'clock on the evenings of the first and third Wednesday of each month.
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS George E. Green, Duxbury, Massachusetts Office Telephone 346
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN Dr. Connie H. King, Telephone Duxbury 212
SCHOOL NURSE Susan E. Carter, R. N., Telephone Duxbury 175
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
Earl W. Chandler, Telephone Duxbury 358
EDUCATIONAL ADVISER Margaret Elliott, Telephone Duxbury 46
-199-
STAFF
George E. Green Superintendent B. S., Bates College; graduate work at Boston Uni- versity.
Leroy N. MacKenney Submaster B. A., University of Maine; M. Ed. University of Maine ; graduate work at Boston University; Columbia.
M. Abbie Baker Tarkiln Primary School Partridge Academy; Hyannis Normal School; State Extension Courses.
Ralph N. Blakeman On Leave of Absence with the Armed Forces B. S., Boston University; M. Ed., Boston University.
Richard E. Bradford Opportunity Class B. S., in Ed., Bridgewater Teachers College, Harvard, Boston University.
Marguerite Brooks On Leave of Absence with the Armed Forces
Wheelock, Perry Normal.
Hazel M. Cornish Home Economics
Simmons, University of Maine, George Washington University, Harvard, Boston University.
Ellen W. Downey Junior High School Subjects Partridge Academy; Boston University, Harvard Ex- tension Courses.
Arthur Lee Homan English B. S. in Ed. Boston University ; M:Ed., graduate work at Harvard.
-200 -
Vivian L. Homan Village Primary School Washington State Normal School; Boston University Extension Courses.
Florence E. Johnson Point Primary School A. B., Wisconsin University ; Tulsa University.
John B. MacFarlane Manual Traning, Print Shop Fitchburg State Normal School.
Ruth K. Manter Latin and History
Director of Orchestra B. A., Penbroke College; graduate work at Brown; Harvard.
Marilyn Miller French and Problems of Democracy A. B., Bates ; graduate work ; Wellesley ; Middlebury.
Constance Lee Newton Tarkiln Primary School B. A., Smith College; graduate work at Boston Uni- versity.
Alice O'Neil Sixth Grade North Adams Normal School.
Sara E. Paulding Village Primary School Partridge Academy; Study at Columbia University ; Harvard; Hyannis Normal School Diploma; State Ex- tension Courses.
Jean B. Pittman Commercial M. A., Boston University.
A. Kempton Smith On Leave of Absence with the
Armed Forces -
B. A., Brown University; graduate work Boston Uni- versity.
-201 -
Madeline Tobin
Science, Mathematics Coach of Girls' Basketball Physical Education Salem State Teachers' College; graduate work Tufts.
Winthrop E. Jackson On Leave of Absence with the Armed Forces A. B., Colby ; graduate work Boston University; Epis. Theo. Sem.
Samuel Warner Supervisor of Drawing Boston Art Club; New England Conservatory Art De- partment.
May Blair McClosky Supervisor of Music.
Margaret K. Elliott Educational Adviser
Ed. M., Harvard; B. S., Simmons ; A. B., Smith.
s
1
.
e
-202 -
Report of School Committee
February 4, 1943
To the Citizens of Duxbury :
The manpower shortage and the increase in the cost of living have created two major problems for the school department during the past year. Competition from more highly paid defense work, absorption of many teachers by the armed forces and the reduction in the number of new teachers trained have made it very difficult-in some instances impossible-to fill vacancies in the teaching staff. To meet the competition of defense work and other school systems and to help our teachers meet higher living costs, the School Committee voted on February 25, 1942 that all teachers be granted an increase in salary at the rate of $100.00 per year. The upward trend in the cost of maintenance and supplies also continues but is offset to some extent because many goods and services cannot be secured at any price.
The rubber and gasoline shortage has brought a request that our school buses be used for the transportation of war workers from Duxbury to Hanover, and possibly to Quincy and Hingham. While the Committee is mindful of its responsibilities in arranging for the transportation of school children, it is also anxious to cooperate with authorities responsible for other essential transportation. We are unable to state at this time what the effect on the school program may be since no definite schedule has been
-203 -
proposed for the transportation of war workers. How- ever, it is possible that when the buses are used for this additional purpose some change in school hours may be necessary.
The members of the teaching staff have patriotically given of their services in the registration of Duxbury citizens for selective service and commodity rationing. The School Committee wishes to thank them for their generosity and to congratulate them upon the efficient manner in which they acomplished the task.
In order to relieve the superintendent of many office details and routine work, the Committee decided early in the year to employ a full time secretary for his office. It was our expectation that he would have more time to supervise the teachers both in the high school and in the elementary schools. Mrs. Ernest Jones served most capa- bly as secretary until the end of 1942.
Over a year ago the State Department of Education at the request of the Duxbury School Committee surveyed our school system. Since the Committee felt that this study was rather superficial, we have contracted with the Graduate School of Education of Harvard University to examine our school department in all its phases, to re- port candidly its findings and to recommend how our sys- tem may be improved. The Committee hopes to engage the Harvard group subsequently in an advisory capacity to insure proper execution of any needed changes. In order that the citizens may understand exactly and accu- rately the reason for the survey and the basis upon which the School Committee has directed that it be made, the letter of authorization to the Graduate School of Educa- tion of Harvard University is reproduced directly follow- ing this report.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.