Blackout Test for County Monday Eve

A county wide blackout to last approximately 20 minutes between 9:00pm and 10:00pm next Monday March 30, was authorized by Governor Robert Hood, chairman of the State Council of Defense.

Regulations for conduct of the test were issued by Mayor Hood, chairman of the Rochester Civilian Defense Council. The Statement said:

Monday, March 30th, between 9:00 and 10:00 pm, the air raid signals will sound. All Rochester citizens who are not assigned to some Civilian Defense service will please go indoors and stay until the all clear signal sounds. All cars pull over to the side of the road and stop with lights out. All homes and places of business or pleasure blackout at once.

"All members of the several Civilian Defense service units will proceed to to the stations you have been assigned immediately when the signal sounds. The blackout will last twenty minutes"

"Immediately after the all clear signal all Civilian Defense members are to meet in the City Hall auditorium for reports, criticisms, suggestions, and discussions of problems brought out by the test"

Walter H. Hood - Rochester Civilian Defense Council

Industrial Plants engaged in defense work would not be required to observe the blackout rules, Governor Hood said

March 28, 1942

36 LEAVE FOR ARMY SERVICE

Thirty-six selectees, the largest group to be inducted into the U.S. Army from Local Board 17 since war was declared left City Hall, Monday morning for Fort Devens, Ayer, MA aboard two commercial busses.

The group included men from Rochester, Farmington, Milton and two transfers from Hampton, VA and Concord. Mayor Wood addressed the Men briefly in the municipal court rooms at farewell ceremonies. Rev. Polhemu of the First Methodist Church offered prayer.

Leader of the group was Bernard Berry of 52 Dewey Street and his assistants were Harold Stillings of Milton, Roland Waddindton of Providence, RI, A. E. Chasse of 89 Indigo Hill Road, Somersworth and Ralph Dickie of Somersworth.

The other men leaving were Raymond H. Lemire, Marc E. Lemoyne, Raymond Merrill, Phillip J Daley, Eugene F. Purington, Charles R. Tessier, Joseph R. Wallace, Hervey Grenier, Clarence E. Jackson, Stephen R. Shorey, Warren M. Manchester, Reuben Weinstein, Edward J. Vachon, and Joseph E. Guibault all of Rochester. Thomas Davenhall, Ernest H. Cook, Herbert F. Morgan and Howard W. Goodwin of Farmington. Arthur Chase of Nilton. Warren J. Carter, Adelard J. Rheaume, Fred A. Houle Jr., Romeo H. Doyon, Valmore Gilbert, Fabian E. Gagne, Paul A. Drury, Alyre Turgeon, George Fortier, and Conrad Roberge all of Somersworth. Ray J. Emerson a transfer from Hampton, VA and Ralph Fontaine a transfer from Concord.

OFFICIALS TERM COUNTY BLACKOUT SUCCESSFUL - REPORT FEW VIOLATERS

Three cities and ten towns in strafford County and two nearby communities in York county Maine blacked out for nearly twenty minutes Monday night in a test described by Major Joshua Studley of Rochester, chairman of the Strafford Council Civilian Defense Council, as highly successful.

A new racket was uncovered in Dover, when auxiliary police stopped several cars and occupants displayed "courtesy cards" which allegely allowed them to operate in a blackout. Chief Air Warden John Grady of Dover branded the cards forgeries and instructed police that should such cards be presented in the future, registeration numbers of the cars were to be taken for action.

The yellow or warning signal announcing the detection of enemy aircraft reached subdistrict warning centers throughout the county shortly after after 9:05pm and was followed at about 9:20pm by the Blue signal , denoting the approach of hostile aircraft. The red, or alarm signal was sounded on warning apparatus throughout the district at approximately throughout the district at 9:30pm and except for a few minor violations, every town in the district was blacked out within two minutes after the alarm.

In Rochester, nine calls to heads of the various defense units were completed within three minutes after receipt of the warning signal, and members of every unit reported to prearranged stations almost immediately and in almost full force.

April 1942

SUGAR RATIONING CARDS TO BE ISSUED MAY 4 - 7

HEADS OF FAMILIES WILL REGISTER AND DECLARE STOCKS ON HAND; TEACHERS WILL SUPERVISE ENROLLMENT; ISSUE CARDS

Registeration for sugar rationing cards in NH will be held at public school buildings on May 4, 5, 6 and 7, according to information received this week by Supt. of Schools Arthur Rollins. Principals of elementary schools throughout the city will act as registeration officers and issue rationing books and be responsible for their accounting. Trade registeration will take place on April 28 ad 29 at the High School.

Although he had no definite information on the matter, Supt. Rollins said it was his understanding that the head of each family would be required to declare the amount of sugar in his or her possession at the time of registeration and that deductions would be made from the ration books.

April 1942

E. ROCHESTER MAN GETS MARINE COMMISION

Russell Emery Thompson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman A. Thompson, 7 Walnut Avenue, East Rochester, was commisioned today as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U. S. Marine Corp on his graduation from the candidates class Marine Corps schools, Quantico, VA

The 21 year old alumni of NH University will now enter the ten week reserve officers' class before being qualified to on active duty with troops.

April 16, 1942

SCHOOL CHILDREN BUY WAR BONDS

OVER 54 PECENT OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE SUPT. REPORTS

Of the total registeration of 1742 pupils in the public schools of the city , 939 are purchasers of stamps or bonds, which means that 54.4% of the school membership are participating, Supt. Rollins to the School Board Thursday night.

The distribution by school follows:

Spaulding High School - enrollment 896 - no. buying 436

Allen - enrollment 169 - no. buying 138

School Street - enrollment 291 - no. buying 130

Maple Street - enrollment 184 - no. buying 85

East Rochester - enrollment 163 - no. buying 89

Gonic - enrollment 106 - no. buying 41

Supt. Rollins stated that the pupils had collected and brought to school a vast amount of old paper which otherwise would have been destroyed. They also cooperated with the American Legion in the collection of old automobile plates. through these efforts children are helped to see that they may play a vital part in strengthing the defense of our country.

April 23, 1942

SUGAR RATION LIMIT HALF LB. PER PERSON

Sales of sugar will be limited to one half pound per person during the first two months of government rationing the office of Price Administration annouced this week. Books containig stamps which will be removed when sugar is purchased, will be furnished to each citizen. Persons possessing more than two pounds of sugar will be penalized as hoarders while persons possessing more than six pounds will be permitted to register, but would be denied ration books until their hoard is exhausted.

April 30, 1942

RECOVER BODY OF ROCHESTER MAN FROM SEA

DISCOVERY ONLY EVIDENCE OF TANKER TORPEDOED APR. 8

The body of James K. Riley, 31, son of Mrs. James Speco of 97 South Main Street, who is believed to be the first known casualty of World War II from this city, was found washed ashore last Friday off the coast of Georgia.

Riley, whose body was the sole evidence of the loss of the tanker, Boyde owned by the Texas company, was identified by insurance and personal papers which he had tied to his arm with a piece of rope. The tanker which had been reported missing off the Atlantic coast, April 8, according to word received by his Mother, Mrs. Speco, from the New York office of the company. Riley's body had been in the water about two weeks, according to officials.

The young man had been a member of the Merchant Marine for about seven years and had been employed by the Texas company for about three months. He was a graduate of St. Mary's Parochial School and attended Rochester High School three years. He leaves besides his Mother, a Stepfather, James Speco, three sisters, Mrs. Ruth Oulette, Mrs. Helen Marchand, and Mrs. Margaret Grenier all of this city, and a brother, Pvt. Edward Riley, who is stationed at Cambridge, MA.

Funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 9:30 in St, Mary's Church with Rev. Whelan celebrating Mass. Burial in St. Mary's cemetery with arrangements in charge of R.M. Edgerly.

GRANDFATHERS, VETERANS OF TWO WARS, AMONG 2560 MEN TO REGISTER IN DISTRICT 17

Grandfathers, World War, and Spanish American veterans and scores who the younger men already registered, address as "Dad" paraded 2560 strong to the four registeration places in the area covered by Local Board 17 in the fourth registeration under the Selective Service Act held Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The totals reported by Clerk Roland Thornton, himself a registerant, were as follows: Rochester 1400; Somersworth 578; Farmington 393; and Milton 189.

Both Mayor Wood of Rochester and Mayor Boucher of Somersworth signed up, although the latter beat the former to the punch by being the first to register in Somersworth. Alphonse Sylvain , head janitor at City Hall, was the first man to register here. He has two sons in the Army. One Wilfred Sylvain, recently married, left a week ago with the largest group of selectees yet inducted, while the other, Corp. Raymond Sylvain is stationed at Fort Benning, GA.

April 1942

2032 WILL SIGN UP IN CITY TODAY

With one day remaining only 2032 of Rochester's population of 12,012 persons had failed to register for War Ration Book one, according to the office of Superintendent of Schools last night, and it was annouced there will be afternoon and evening registeration today (Thursday) for those who have not already done so. Public schools will be open today from 1:30pm to 5 pm and from 6:30 pm to 8:30pm.

543 HAVE TOO MUCH

Of the 9,980 applications for sugar ration books, there were only 543 persons who failed to receive them because of having too much sugar at home. Those receiving sugar ration books totalled 9437.

REGISTERATION BY SCHOOL

The total number of of applications at the various schools during Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday was as follows.

ALLEN Mon - 761, Tues - 916, Wed - 612

Gonic Mon - 443, Tues - 635, Wed - 249

Maple St Mon - 909, Tues - 1356, Wed - 713

E ROCH Mon - 427, Tues - 542, Wed - 311

School St Mon - 720, Tues - 929, Wed - 457

June 25, 1942

SULLIVAN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION

Colonel Joseph Sullivan, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan of Wakefield St., Rochester, was either killed in action or captured by the Japanese when they occupied Bataan Penisula, according to a communication from the War Department received last week. His wife, who with their three children are living in California, received his last letter in April, dated early February. Col Sullivan was in the bitter fighting under General MacArthur and Wainwright that preceeded the fall of Bataan and the War Department indicated that no word of his fate had been received.

June 25, 1942

THOMPSON MADE LIEUT. OF MARINES

Second Lt. Russell E. Thompson son of Mr. and Mrs. Herman A. Thompson, 7 Walnut Ave. East Rochester has completed the U.S. Marine Corp reserve officers' class and will be shortly assigned to active duty with troops, according to word from the Marine Corps at Quantico, VA

The 22 year old alumnus of NH University enlisted in the Marine Reserve last Summer, was called to active duty for training in February, this year, and received his commision early in April.

July 18, 1942

LOCAL MAN BELIEVED LOST IN SEA ACTION

WILFRED R. BELLEVEU, OFFICER ON TANKER, MISSING SINCE MAY

Mrs. Minnie Demick of Rochester Hill Road has received a telegram from the War Department that her Grandson, Wilfred Raymond Belleveu, first assistant engineer on an oil tanker sailing under government orders, is missing in action, following the tanker's encounter with the enemy . Although the young man has been missing since May, Mrs. Demick has hopes that Belleveu will return safely, possibly having been picked up by some small vessel.

August 6, 1942

THINK COOLEY JAP PRISONER

WAR DEPT. NOTIFIES PARENTS SON LISTED "MISSING IN ACTION"

Private Manuel Cooley, son of Mr. Joseph P. Cooley of 11 Henton Street, from whom no word has been received since the Japanese attack on the Phillipines is listed by the War Department as being "missing in action" and is presumed to be a prisoner of the Japanese.

Private Cooley, who enlisted in the Army Sept. 20, 1940, received his basic training at Selfridge Field, Mich, and later was sent to the Philadephia in the capacity of an aircraft inspector. He was sent to the Philippines in December 1940 and had served in the island outpost almost one year at the time of the Japanese attack. He was not listed as a casualty up to the time of the surrendar of Corrigedor, according to word received from the War Departent.

August 6, 1942

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Pfc. Richard J. Hervey, son of Richard Hervey of Union Street has been serving his country since Jan. 7, 1941, and has been stationed in Western Australia with the 197th Coast Artillery since February. Despite being half a world away, he keeps his family and his fiancee, Miss Pauline Fisher of Charles Street, well informed as to his health and his interest in army duties by letter and cablegram.

September 5, 1942

VOLUNTEERS COMB CITY AS "SCRAP HARVEST" GETS OFF TO ENCOURAGING START

TRUCKS TO VISIT EVERY STREET

Volunteers were combing the city today, and the search will continue for the remainder of the week as NH begins the first state-wide "Scrap Harvest" to provide sorely needed metals to pulverize the Axis. Briefly, the rules were this.

PLACE SCRAP AT THE CURB

Put your scrap metal out for the collectors today. A truck will be through your neighborhood, covering the same route as the city rubbish removal truck to pick up your contribution to the Scrap Harvest.

The drive to put Rochester over the top will be conducted today (Thursday), Friday and Saturday by Chairman Edmond J. Marcoux and his corp of volunteers.

FALL, 1942

FATHER OF EIGHT ENLISTS IN NAVY

GEORGE A. KENT AT TRAINING STATION IN NEWPORT, RI

U.S. Naval Training Station, Newport, RI George Alfred Kent, 39, Rochester, NH. who first became interested in the Navy in high school, has joined Uncle Sam's forces to fight against the Axis, not only for himself but for his eight young children.

Kent, Carpenter's Mate Third Class is now in Recruit Training at this station preparatory to receiving an assignment in a shore station or to a ship of the Fleet. He has made a life-long study of building construction, and prior to his enlistment was in charge of a maintenance crew in Rochester.

His children all under 15 years of age, are Robert, Ruth, Ruby, Rena, Carline, Doanld, Richard, and Barbara. His wife a Britisher, shared her husband's belief that the Kent family should be represented on the front.

October 1, 1942

SEAVEY COMMISSIONED AND WED THE SAME DAY

KNIGHT STREET MAN MADE LIEUT. OF CAVALRY, TAKES KANSAS BRIDE

Lieut. Edgar S. Seavey, son of Mrs. Mary Seavey of Knight Street, had cause for double celebration on Friday, receiving the 2nd Lieutenant's commision in the U.S. Cavalry after completing a three month course of training at Fort Riley, Kansas, and taking for his bride Miss. Virginia O'Brien, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jess O'Brien of Clay Center, Kan.

ON ACTIVE SERVICE

Sgt. Roland Gilbert, son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert of the Dry Hill Road, was graduated this week from the Aerial Gunner's school at Harlington, TX. Just two months after being inducted into the Army Air Force. He has two brothers , Walter and Ernest Gilbert, both of whom are WW I veterans and each is serving with the Army. Walter is in Alaska and Ernest left for duty Wednesday.

Pvt. Alfred Colby Jr., is serving with the U.S. Army in the Coast Artillery in the Panama Canal Zone. The 22 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Colby of East Rochester, enlisted Jan 28, 1942, and after receiving basic training, he was sent to Panama.

GILBERT WINS AIR MEDAL

ROCHESTER SERGT. CITED FOR MERITORIOUS ACTS IN ALEUTIANS

Tech. Sgt Walter A. Gilbert, one of 11 enlisted men and two officers who were presented the Air medal by Maj. Gen. simon H. Buckner Jr., for their Meritorious acts in the battle of the Aleutians at the direction of President Roosevelt, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gilbert of the Dry Hill Road. Sgt, Gilbert has been at Fairbanks, Alaska for the past two years, arriving there when the air field was so new that there were no barracks for the men and a rough, unfinished field for the planes. He is a bombardier.

Sgt. Gilbert, 42, served in the First World War with his brothers, Wilfred and Ernest. In this war, he finds his brother, Ernest, serving as a selectee at Fort Devens and a younger brother, Roland, as a Sergeant in the arial gunners' forces.

October 29, 1942

ROCHESTER MAN ON TORPEDOED CARRIER WANTS ANOTHER TRY

WASP SURVIVOR VISITS FAMILY HERE

ROBERT LIGHTBODY PICKED UP BY DESTROYER AFTER HOUR IN OIL-COVERED SEA, ANXIOUS TO GET BACK AT JAPS

A former Rochester man who survived the sinking of the aircraft carrier Wasp in the South Pacific last month, is anxious to return to duty aboard another carrier if possible, and to get another crack at the Japs.

Forced to jump into the sea when the order to abandon ship after the gallant Wasp had been torpedoed near the Solomon Islands September 15, Robert Lightbody, 21 year old swam for nearly an hour before being picked up by a destroyer.

The bronzed young man, who is the son of Parker Lightbody of Malden, Mass, is enjoying a 30 day furlough and with his bride of 3 days, in Laconia, was in the city to visit his Grandmother, Mrs. Samuel Lightbody of 7 Central Avenue . He was born in Rochester and has served in the Navy for the past three and half years, two years aboard the Wasp.

As is the manner of men who have witnessed momentous events , young Lightbody was extremely reticent when queried by a Courier representative Tuesday afternoon. And too the Navy tradition as the "silent service", doubtless tempered his judgement. The reporter did learn however that the young man was aboard the Wasp on her two dramatic dashes to Malta during the past year and that he has served with two expeditionary task forces. One in each the Atlantic and Pacific.

December 1942

OLD CANNON TO RETURN TO WAR

COUNCIL AUTHORIZES SCRAPPING OF OLD PIECES AT COMMON

Four cannon which have graced the Civil War monument on the Common for more than half a century will shortly be sent off to war again.

Donated by the Federal Government in 1884 to the Sampson Post GAR, to decorate the monument, the quartet of cannons have been eyed for several months as first class material for the city's scrap salvage pile.

At the regular meeting of the City Council, Mayor Walter Wood declared, "I have made several inquiries regarding the four cannons on the Common and have no person or organization that seems to be responsible for them who would not be willing for the council to authorize scrapping them for use in this war.

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