Greetings. I would be grateful to hear from anyone who served in the Red Cross in Noumea, New Caledonia, during World War II, or from anyone (including other service personnel) with stories and/or information about Red Cross activities on New Caledonia. My mother, Jane Martin, served with the Red Cross in Noumea during 1943-1944. Thanks very much. Girard Steichen. steichgATSIGNntsb.gov; or steichenATSIGNuwalumni.com

My mother, Loretta McLaughlin of Sioux Falls, SD, served in the ARC in England and in Germany, lastly with Patton's 3rd Army. She was in a group with Jean Gordon, Pat Austin and others. She had a lovely voice and sang for the troops. She and Pat Austin, of New York, drove a cinemobile and at night the side would come down and make a stage and Pat would play the piano and my Mom would sing. She once met General Patton when she was sitting outside her tent painting her finger nails red, and he came up to her and asked her if the nail polish was good for stopping the itch from chigger bites. She had many wonderful memories of serving in the clubmobile, and I have many pictures from that time.

Would love to correspond with anyone who knew my Mom. Sadly, she passed away in April, 2000. I appreciate this web site very much!

Maria Surdi

I have a web site where anyone can buy the book, "By His Side" by George Korson and think someone might like to read this terrific book on Red Cross during WW II. It's at www.uhrbooks.com.
John Roberts

Found the book titled Battle Stars and Donuts. I went to the library in town and they searched what they call Library Loan site and found the book in Memphis, TN. It cost me just the mailing charge. Had it for two weeks. Great reading. If you are looking for it or another clubmobile book, try going through your local library and ask if they have a library Loan set up. Just might be in the next county,
John Roberts

"Camp Foxley" A History of the 123rd & 156th U.S Army General Hospitals based nr Mansel Lacy Herefordshire England, during WW2 now available.Two chapters of the book give detailed accounts about the Red Cross activities at the Hospital during the period 1944/45. For further details please contact Martin Collins

Hi all.I have a great interest in Clubmobiles and I am trying to gather as many images as possible of them for my records.

Can any one be as kind as to point me in the direction of pictures or can any one email them to me as it would so very much appreciated!

Also would anyone know where I can get the plans of how the CM's were built as I would like to know their specifications.

Best wishes and thank you for your help.

Alan Williams.

judith Reed Evans great site I am doing re-enactment as group k what was your group and can you give me any in fo for your book Full circle who,s the author ect

Great news for fans of the Greenliners, in that the second known surviving AEC 10T10 bus - the variety used for the Greenliner conversions - has returned to the UK for restoration. Rescued from a Farm in Western Australia the well worn warrior is now awaiting restoration as part fo the Ensign Bus collection - http://www.ticketslondon-online.biz/TransportMuseum/Museum_T499.htm
This particular vehicle was never an ARC Greenliner but did serve as an ambulance in London during WW2.

Hello, I am trying to contact anyone with ANY information relating to Ruth Hayes,originally from Andover, Mass.
A Clubmobile girl with Group B, and one of the four Clubmobile girls that attended the funeral of Kathleen Cullen in Belgium, 1944. We have a Museum near Windsor, 'The History on Wheels Museum', Motors - Militaria & Memories. Much of this Museum comemorates the UK - US co operation throughout two World Wars. The Clubmobile display now features the Clubmobile complete uniform worn by Ruth Hayes, and we VERY much would like any further information relating to this remarkable 'young' lady.
I do hope you can help....we are keeping our fingers crossed ! All for now, from,
Tony Oliver.

I have need reasearching the American Red Cross Military Welfare Service, and have come upon a uniform, it has a name in it, Peggy Gearing, if there is anyone out there who knew or worked with this lady please get in touch, as i would love to find out about more about what she did during the war! Many Thanks Laura (missmaisie1509@yahoo.com)

I am preparing a display about the USAAF Exposition under the Eiffel Tower in AUG-Sep 1945. I am including the ARC Rainbow Corner Club in Paris.
Could somebody direct me to the right source for pictures?
Thank you / Jean-Luc
3wplanet.com/beghin.

I am looking for any information on the 67th General Hospital a.k.a. the Maine General Hospital while it was stationed in England. I am writing a historical novel and any help is wonderful. Please e-mail me with info such as the conditions under which the nurses worked; their living conditions, while off duty; what batallions they aided (UK and USA); and if you really want to help...I need a map of the layout! I know that is a lot, but any help is great. Thank you; you have my deepest thanks.

I am looking for info on any of the Clubmobilers who were assigned to the 324th Fighter Group in Italy in 44 and France (Luneville, Dole Tavaux) in 44/45 and Germany in 1945. Any help would be most welcome.

I continue my work on Elizabeth Richrdson, the ARC Clubmobile person who died in France on July 25, 1945.
Among the women she worked with in Le Havre on the docks and at the cigarette camps were: Margaret Morrison, Lindsay Rnd, Mary Rea, Aileen Anderson, Marge Clahoun, Nancy Fiske, Nancy Nicholas, Beth McCoy, Nancy Richrdson, Marge Hillman, Polly Hasking, Betty Brigham, Peggy Evans.
I'd like to hear from any of them or their families to have correspondece, photographs or otehr help.
Jim Madison

I'm looking for information and stories about The Rainbow Corner, a club for US servicemen during WW2. There seems to be very little extant inforamtion at the moment.

I am working on my aunt Kay Green's story about her experiences with a group that went to Italy in 1945. They had to wait for their boat to leave so they worked up a show. They put the show on aboard ship and when they got to Naples they put it on for the Red Cross "brass." The group was such a hit that they were sent around to do the show for a period of about three months, ending in October, 1945. They kept cutting the number of performers as people were sent off to other assignmnets. An article in a publication called Silver Platter and possibly written by Janet Gifford lists the 17 people who were there at the end. Has this group ever had a reunion or does anyone know where the women were after that experience. I know where my aunt is. She married my uncle and came to Montana.

Can anybody help with any nmaes or photos of the coloured male choir based at Romsey in the Southampton area during 1944. I am particularly trying to locate a soldier called Felix who had a relationship with Jean Boorman please help

I am looking for any information on my grandfather, he served as a rifleman during WW11. I was recently told that while he was in France he had another family, his name was Albert Campbell. He was a native Canadian, and i believe his first wife's name was Audrey. I don't know if this will do any good but if anyone has info it would be appreciated.

Monday 6th June was quite a poignant day to be writing in this wonderful guest book. 61 yeasr ago my American GI father took part in Operation Overlord. He was a US Army Medic and is an Omaha veteran. For 44 years I didn't know my father but eventually, after a long search, i successfully tracked him down and was reunited with him and my American family.

The URL at left refers you to TRACE. TRACE is a non profit making, self help group which can be of great help to those still searching for the American GI fathers they never knew. I have been a member for the past 16 years and since successfully tracing my own father and American family. I have helped many others gain similar success.

Am trying to search for anyone who might have known my Mother Joan Palmer who worked in the Ministry of Agriculture between 1948/49 in Guildford, she has now died and am searching for my father who may have been canadian/american and may have had the name Delise or similar, he may have been in the services as there were still canadians in and around guildford working at the same place if anyone can help it would make me very happy.

Quite a poignant day to be writing in this wonderful guest book. 61 years ago today my American GI father took part in Operation Overlord. He was a Us army medic and is an Omaha Veteran. For 44 years I didn't know my father, but eventually after a long search, I sucessfully tracked him down and was reunited with him and my American family!

does anybody know or the whereabouts of a man by the name of WILLIAM PAGE OR PAIGE who was AMERICAN black G.I.STATIONED IN COSHAM PORTSMOUTH U.K WW11 1944 HE MAY HAVE BEEN WHITH 274 QUATERMASTER. He may be in hes early 80s hope someone can help please joyce

I'm well along writing a book about Elizabeth Richardson, who was a Clubmobile (Kansas City) in Leicester and then Barrow-in-Furness, England, July, 1944-February, 1945 and then to Le Havre,France, Feb. 1945, until her death in an airplane crash in July, 1945. I'm seeking photos of those places, details of ARC work, and any other information.

I went in as a replacementin dec 44 I was a runner in Bonn Germany Charles Stone and I was standing jusst east of the bridge that crossed the rhine river when they blew it it blew us both backdown into baby hospital it was early march I was wounded march24 45and sent to england 137th general hosp

Four of us Clubmobile girls have a great story of our entrance into Rome June 5-6th,'1944 with 5th Army and General Clark whose forward unit we were posted with in Italy. Mary Roos Moen, Lois Berney, Faith McVicar and I Judith Reed (our unmarried names) were in the same clubmobile group. Faith and I had just arrived, but Ross and Berney had been through Anzio and Cassino. Continued on to Florence and beyond. I am now Judy Reed Emmons Bullock I have an autobiography with war stories as part of it called Full Circle.

This is a great site which I have just discovered. I am organising a week of events to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of WW2 here in East yorkshire. All our volunteers need to be dresses in the 1940's period and I am looking for a nurses uniform either military or civilain. Would be very grateful for any help. Many thanks Bernadette

We are the french association Union Jeep Vexin who has honored Janet Dillon Blair last year in Normandie celebrations. She's became the godmother of our Clubmobile GMC "Dallas". With the Janet's advises we have restored our Clubmobile and try to present it like was the Clubmobile in august 1944 when Janet landed to Utah Beach. You can see it in the website of our association:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/unionjeepvexin/aout%201944%20Utah.htm

un clubmobile debarque sur utah beach

Suggest URL link to the left.

Tomas Potter's father was member of E co. "band of brothers". I met Tom and brother at reception in St. Marie Dumont, 7 June 2004, and this is his written account. He mentions GROUP K and Clubmobilers

I keep in email contact with Janet Dillon Blair but sadly failed to make a rendezvous with her in France last year - although I did see the Union Jeep Vixen Clubmobile heading in the opposite direction on the freeway!
I would be interested to know if any official reocrd of the Clubmobilers activites was kept, especially with regard to how the civilian drivers were recruited and employed on the Greenliners and how the Greenliners routines were managed to ensure fair and equal coverage nationally.
Additionally, after the Greenliners were handed back and the GMC Clubmobiles were collected, I believe the Greenliners became ambulances. Were these ARC ambulances or US Army - I believe the latter but do not know for sure.
How was vehicle maintenance undertaken and paid for on the Greenliners?
Any help on these topics would be appreciated.
Jim, and chance of you providing a gallery area for suitably vetted and appropriate pictures to be added by visitors? Just looking through the guest list, there are collectors with items to share and there must be veterans with pictures to share - as a researcher I have some myself.
Keep up the great work with what is a superb site.

If Martin Collins reads this can he email me with his current address?

My father was part of the invasion of utah beach in normandi attached to pattons third army,he helped fight all the way through to berlin.
He told me about the war and what botherd him most was when they found the consentration camps.
after the war he reuped to join the cid to arrest war crimanals.
my dad died in 2001 and i dont have any pictures i was hoping to find some on your web site.

seeking families in haarlem holland who befriended my two brothers when they were with the liberation army during the war 1944 1945

What a wonderful site. I was wondering if anyone knew my grandfather, Marshall Heathers? He is from Nebraska. He was a Corporal and Company Clerk and served from 1943-1946 in England, La Havre France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. After the war he was sent to Pilsen where he gave away all of his food for a week so the people in the concentration camps could eat. Grandpa ended up being sent to Moselle, France to work for a lawyer's office settling claims such as with France for blowing up their ships. Thanks

i have just been reading a message from someone looking for the camp at mahollam kington herefordshire ,they have the wrong name for the camp it was heargest camp it was the hospital camp also, hope you see this whoever is trying to find it .from marge

I was the Second Radio Officer aboard the SS MAASDAM in June 1941, with a group of American Red Cross Nurses on board. Lillian Evans wrote a letter of appreciation to the Captain of the MT HAVPRINS, who had rescued many of us. She did not mention her own courageous action - I have an image etched in my mind of Lillian Evans applying a bandage to the head of our Third Mate while he directed his crew in launching his lifeboat. Her bandage surely saved his life as he did require further treatment by a Doctor of the Escort to close his wound. I would like to get in touch with the ARC Historical Section to exchange information.

I am trying to find out some info.on a family member. He sailed in the Merchant Marine from 1940 to 1945 and in that year jumped ship and was on the beach in Germany for a long period and he was eventually arrested for black market operations. We do not want any unwelcome publicity. He is now deceased and we would like to know if anybody would know who would have had jurisdiction over his case as he was a civilian. We have tried a couple of other Merchant Marine organisations with no luck. We should have asked him while was still alive.
Thanks in anticipation.

My aunt met and fell in love with a Polish soldier in 1947. He was living in the Barons Cross Camp, Leominster, Herefordshire, which I believe was the "overflow camp" for Foxley Camp, Hereford. His name was Tomasz Branowski and people called him Bruno. My aunt fell pregnant and the couple were going to get married but my grandmother was against the relationship and my aunt decided not to go through with it. Sadly Bruno left in October 1948 and never saw his baby daughter, who was named Janet because he had wanted a boy to be called Jan. After our grandmother and my aunt were both dead my cousin tried to trace her father but no luck. oes anyone know of anyone who was in either of these camps or who might have ideas where we could lok. We have found service records at the M O D but nothing else. Bruno was a batman so it might help to know oficers names. We do know that the CO at Barons Cross was Lt Col Szostak. Perhaps someone might know of him?
Thanks

My husband is getting involved with a WWII Living History group. I am looking at a way to contribute & am interested in uniform details for Army Field Nurse. I would love to be able to share the many ways that women contributed to this period in history -- any input that you'all are willing to provide would be appreciated. Thank you.

My mother passed away two years ago a few months after my father. I believe they met in a USO club by the name of the Stage Brush Cantina in Hollywood. Does anyone have information if this is the correct name of the club and where it was.
Thanks.

I'm trying to trace Frieda Kempton who served with the ARC in Tiverton, Devon during 1944/45. Would love to hear from anybody who knew her or others who were there (Dolly, Anne Lind, Marge Kuhz, Det N 93 SCSRD).

My Family lived near the hospital camp near mahollam that was near kington herefordshire,we went to school at the little hamlet of mahollam we used to visit the soldiers in the hospital there and they were kind to us and gave us candies when we couldnt get them from the shops we had to use ration books to get anything ,we used to spend a lot of time talking to them i guess they had to leave their families behind to go to war i was 8 years old then , we really enjoyed talking to them i hope this is ok we had some happy memories in a time of trouble thankyou marge burgess was marge williams then

My father, Charles Crockett, served with the 90th Div, Patton's 3rd Army during WWII. It appears to have been around 1944 to 1946. (I don't have his DD214) I'm interested in any information about this unit during this period of time.

Does anyone know anything about the Clubmobile "Nebraska" being stationed at RAF Cottesmore prior to Operation Market Garden (the September 1944 invasion of Holland)? I know it served the men of the 505th Parachute Infantry of the 82nd Airborne at that time, but would like to know if it was stationed at the base or attached to the 82nd. Thanks, Glen.

My Mother, Fronia Louise Davidson (Corry), served in the ARC during WWII in England, France, Germany. She says she was attached to the 436th Army Air Corps in England and France, and the 36th infantry div. in Germany. If anyone remembers her please contact me. Also any books or information which would serve to help her find friends would be appreciated. Thanks.

Does anyone remember a Virginia Ekins, from Provo, Utah? She was club Director in Stratford on Avon, England, Lucky Strike Club, Paris, France, Brittany Club, Rennes, France and in Bremenhaben, Germany?? She is 92 years young and would like to hear from someone who she worked with.
Thanks. John Roberts ARC Volunteer

I was in the Army Nurses Training program from 1943 to 1946.The war was over by the time I finished training and I was wondering if I'm eligible for benefits.

If anyone worked the Red Cross Clubs in Stratford on Avon in England at the Brittany Club in Rennes, France or in the Club in Bremahaven, Germany, I know a Red Cross Gal who was there also and I'm sure it would do her good to hear from someone who was there also,. She will be 92 in May. Her name is Virginia "Ekins" Elledge, She had a white streak in her dark hair. Found her in 2003 and have visited her and her husband Paul the past two years. Just e-mail me and I will get in touch with them.

My Project Find has found another person who is in a photo of the Korean War calendar. Pvt. Don Fyfe's, who passed away in 2000, family was found. His wife and brother and children were presented the photo of Pvt. Fyfe at the Unit 15, of the KVA of Canada, in Ontario. That makes a total of 20 I have found from the WWII and Korean War calendars of the American Red Cross. If any one has any info on Red Cross Gals that were in either war, I would like to hear about them. E-mail me and I will let you know if I have a photo of them from the two calendars. I have comments on this site. You can check them out. Thanks and God Bless our Troops.

Father Chris Mamis england 1943
Would like to trace any member of my "American family". He was on the medical side and was in devon 1943, had good friend Frankie. Born Hackensack NJ died abouth 1991/2

I was wondering if someone knew the meaning of the numbers that Polish soldiers wrote at the end of thier letters sent to loved ones still in Germany durning the war. The story was told to me by a dear friend that I have lost touch with, but I would like to pass on the story of love to my children. The numbers are 1421. If you know please email me.

Dear Administrator, I'm the Grand daughter of an American Army person. His name was/is William White. He was stationed at an American base just near Tiverton, Devon during 1942-45. I'm looking for any clues as to his whereabouts or indeed any help with the name of the base. At least then I should be able to find out what regiments were stationed there during this period, which may lead somewhere. At the moment they are the only leads I have and I'm really desperate to find my mothers' father before it's too late. I know she would be absolutely thrilled to have news of him. Kind regards to anyone who can help. Nicola James. Sat 19th Feb 2005

My father-in-law, Franklin J. Cookingham stepped on a landmine in the Vogues France on November 30, 1944 during WWII. He had to have his left leg amputated. He was transferred to a hospital in Vittel(we think) and later shipped stateside aboard the Army Ship Thistle from Marsielles to Charleston, NC. He was befriended by a nurse from Newburgh, NY. He would like to make contact with this nurse or her family to say thank you. (845) 297-8908

My mother Edith Haynes worked in an American Red Cross club in Liverpool UK between 1942 and the end of 1944. She was a professional singer. She worked with black soldiers and formed a male voice choir which sang in many settings in the Uk including a choral concert on the steps of St George's Hall Liverpool. I understand that this was taped and sent to Washington. She loved the work but was very distressed by the racialism within the American army. The soldiers she worked with had white officers who patronised them. She wrote a letter of complaint to General Eisenhower about the separation of the clubs and I have a copy. She told me that the choir's pianist was Harry Gildsmith, the accompianist of the famous singer Marian Anderson. A young corporal,Elmo Sparks, had, according to my mother, the most beautiful tenor voice. The club was in Whitechapel Liverpool. The welfare officer was Howard McKinney, who had been a youth worker in Pittsburgh before the war.
She had great respect for these men and greatly enjoyed her contact with Americans, including the kindly white soldiers whom she also met. Like many people from this generation Edith thought that these war years were the most exciting and challenging of her life. Can anyone tell me whether there is a memoire of the Black American troops in the UK and the work of the red cross clubs for black soldiers?

My aunt Esther Tallon worked with white soldiers in another red cross club in Liverpool. She went to Europe with the red cross, was in Paris for the liberation parade and then went to Germany. She was secretary/house keeper at the red cross club in Regensburgh and attended the Nurenberg trials. I have some wonderful letters which she wrote describing the state of post war France and Germany. A very dear friend of hers was Alan Kleine who was her boss in Germany. She kept the friendships she made with Americans for the rest of her life and visited them in America. I don't know what americans think of the english women red cross workers, but I thought I'd put this onto your web in case you think it's of any value to others.
Both my mother and my aunt were terrific women, brave and intelligent. THey survived the terrible bombing raids on Liverpool, taking cans of tea to people in the shelters and their experiences with the red cross gave them a life-long interest and affection for the United States.

I am desperately looking for pics of cinemobiles, to make a model of one for a big display. Has anyone got some pictures in the memorabilia box? I's love to build a website with more pics when they would be available.

hi great site looking for uniforms summer, and hat. and winter hat, hanbangs ect ww2 red cross club mobile any info would be appreciated.As we are reenacting this year.

I am looking for info on my Grandfather, William E. Glover. He was under Pattons 3rd Army 90th division. He also recieved the Silver Star sometime in the 40s. If any one has ay info they could give me that would be great. Thanks, Kelly

Our office is in Brown Street Salisbury is in a building that we are told was a Donut Dugout during WW2. We are told it came over as a prefabricated building form the USA. Is there anyone who can help us with information about who would have run it and where the building came from. Thank you.

Hello all,
The grouping from Clubmobiler Mary Witt that we wrote about has arrived and it is fantastic! 2 Battle dress tunics and trousers, dress tunic and 2 skirts, 3 billed hats, wool overcoat with red liner, M43 field jacket, long cool weather coat, dag tags, pins, patches and phots! This type of grouping is so rare to find. We have been looking for just a single battledress uniform for about 4 years. If anyone would like, we will forward photos to share.
Thanks,
Tim & Terry Allen

i am looking for my grandfather, he was in morocco during ww2 serving in tha navy. he met my grandmother yamna-miriam and i thing thay got marriade. he went back to usa and my grandmother and mother staied in morocco. my mothers name is vivian and she was born in 1946. i will be greatful for any info. thanks smadar

What a brave story and what a very fine and interesting site. Thanks for keeping the story alive! All the best. Simon Bang

Hello Jim and the other wonderful people who make this website happen. We just purchased an entire Clubmobile grouping once owned by Ms.Mary Witt. We have no idea which group she belonged to or the name of her truck. If anyone knows more about this brave lady, please let us know. We are thrilled to get her battledress uniforms, hats, field jacket, dress uniform, photos, pins, insignia and other personal items. This grouping will take center stage when we do our living history displays for the public. We now just need to know more about her. Thank you, Tim & Terry Allen

I am looking for anyone who might have known a Polish soldier serving under British Command. His name is ZDZISLAW GORGOL lastknown whereabouts? England is all I know. He has a son in Canada he knows nothing about. My aunt Teresa Wolf last saw him in 1947.

Hiya..Am really pleased that I found this site. Well done and don't give up.
Have y'all seen www.dpcamps.org? Run by Olga Kaczmar of Cal., USA and contributed to by a cast of hundreds, including yours truly.
This non-partisan but MAINSTREAM Site lists numerous 20th Century camps, including Soviet and Nazi lagers, for DPs, Refugees, Forced Labourers, Political Prisoners, Others involuntarily displaced from homes and loved ones, scattered and scarred by conflict.
If you are searching for a loved on, for such a camp or for archives information, the above is the world's largest such site.
If all you are able to do is to add a single item of information, this item might be what another has devoted years to searching for.
This writer has contributed many items.
You can, too.
This writer is interested in WWII POWs and in WWII -1940's Soviet and Polish DPs and DPs but welcomes all sorts of offerings.
I am especially interested in the Wehrmacht's WWII Georgian Legion and in 1945-47 Anglo-US compulsory repatriation of Soviet and Polish Nationals by Allied Forces in Western Europe.
Particular interest focusses upon the Canadian Sector Soviet DPs' camps and in shipments of DPs from Oldenburg and Sande, Hannover Provinz, via Adelheide, Ludwigslust, Magdeburg , other exchange points.
Ditto US Civil Affairs and DPs Welfare.
Anything to do US Red Cross / Ambulance with Clark Gable and the USAF's 303rd Bomber Squadron in England is mighty welcome.
Reciprocal research guaranteed.
NB Please also visit www.wikipedia.org and make up and add a page about your favourite subject. Besten and mfg..Alan Newark

Je souhaite simplement vous dire toute l'admiration que j'ai pour ces femmes merveilleuses de l'ARC et pour ce qu'elles ont fait. Je m'intéresse à l'histoire de la 2ème Guerre mondiale (WW II) et aux véhicules de cetet période. Si vous le souhaitez je peux vous envoyer par e-mail des photos de GMC 2 1/2 ton Clubmobile. Sincerely yours. Jean-Michel Boniface

[Translation: I wish simply to tell you the admiration that I have for these marvelous women of the ARC and what they did. I am interested in the history of the Second World War and in the vehicle of that period. If you wish I could send you by email photos of the GMC 2 1/2 ton Clubmobile. Sincerely yours, Jean-Michel Boniface]

Searching for any info about Captain Joe D. Dobbs who died at the 53rd General Hospital on 18 May 1945 Merebrook Farm, Malvern Wells, England. The only thing known is a gunshot wound. CPT Dobbs was with the Ordnance Department?

RE; CLUBMOBILE PATCH:
is the background color of the ARC Cubmobile shoulder patch completely yellow or, yellow border W/ white center (behind the cross ?
Also, can anyone I.D. the pins that the girls are wearing over their left pockets of their RAF issue battledress uniforms in the pictures on this website? We would appreciate any info.
Great Website!!!

Thanks, John & Eileen Gilbert

I'm trying to trace Frieda Kempton who served with the Accounts Deptarment, ARC in Tiverton, Devon during WWII. Any help would be gratefully received..

I am trying to assist my cousin in finding any information on a WW 2 Merchant Marine Crew member that is her father that was killed while he was in the Merchant Marine in WW 2. His full name is (Louis Lee Hillman) and was from Vernon Parish area of Louisiana. Send any information to my e-mail-Thank you-WDS.

I am looking for any information i can get my hands on. You see my grandma has reciently become very ill and not at all incoherent, and while we where cleaning her house we found a trunk full of red cross memoribillia that we knew nothing about. Litterally hundereds of pictures, patches, pins, letters to and from family and v-mail, her old complete red cross uniform, postcards, newspaper clippings and much more. From what we can surmise he was a nurse on the red cross ships named the thistle?, meany? and one other I can't recall but I have both postcards and actual pictures of the ships. She was not a typical nurse in that she did nothing medical but wrote letters and documents for injured soldiers that couldn't write for themselves. Before the war she was a english teacher. I am trying to peice together certian peices of her life that she told no one about so I ams not sure what or who the clubmobilers where but would greatly appriciate any information. Such as, does the red cross have any records of pepole that served in ww2 that are viewable to the public? Is there a certian name for what my grandmas title was? How should I keep and store these pictures and clothing? Should I get any of it insured? or appraised? My family lives in California so I have a fairly good size portion of things I am sorting through at my house in Texas but would be happy to send pictures in emails of examples to anyone that has some information to help me. I am named after my grandma and hold the name with pride. I hope to do her justice by displaying her memory and achievements not in a trunk, but proudly for anyone who wants to see. Thanks for all your help.
Valentene

A friend told me of your site. He said that I will find just the information here I was looking for.
That was definitely right. Good work. You surely have one of the most interesting sites in net.
I believe in your way of doing, so go on this way. It' surely the right way.

Greetings!
My Mother, Jayne Stickrod, served as a Captain of an ARC Clubmobile under Patton. Some members of her group were lost when they drank from a well poisoned by the Germans. She once received a Silver Star for bringing in a German troop singlehandedly. In addition, she was awarded a medal of Honor by the Russians at a conference she attended. She was presented some of Hitler's sherry goblets by Army Rangers who had liberated the Eagle's Nest. Once, she somehow managed to convince Gen.Patton to pose for a photo with his helmet OFF! I still have this great shot.
Jayne was training (swim team) for the Olympics which were canceled due to WWII. She somehow acquired a copy of a film of the German's "Olympics" which they held without the rest of the world's attendance. (Very interesting)
She later served in Korea as a combat survival swim instructor...
Sadly, my Mother passed away in 1975, and I have so many unanswered questions.
If anyone can help me "fill in any blanks" or perhaps even KNEW Jayne, please contact me!
I have alot of valuable memorabilia I would like to donate to the Women's Memorial (any info here is also appreciated...)
Also, I need to know if she was also commisioned in the Army. (After all, she did receive the Silver Star...)
Any help with research or helpful websites I can use to compile her "story" will be gratefully received!
God Bless America!
Jay Quisenberry

She volunteered in a big building in the middle of Oxford with the Red Cross. She was about 19yrs old in the early 1940's. She went by Lucy and was polish. My grampa would like to know if she is still alive. His name is John Lake. He was about 4 years older than her. He thinks she was born in about 1925. If you have anything that might help us find her I would be so grateful. I have been trying to find a website that could help us. Without her last name it has been impossible. And we don't know if she was ever married or not. Thank you for your time. I am at a complete loss of how to keep pursuing this for him. He is 83 now and would like some closure. You are the only website I can find that seems remotely able to help us. Thank you for your time. Joi Pfost

I'm looking for information about my aunt, Geneva Mercomes, who served in the American Red Cross in Europe and the UK during World War II, and again in Korea during the Korean Incident. Thanks for any information you can give me.

As they said many years ago, Eureka, I have found it. With the help of a couple of Clubmobiler Gals, Katy Kirkpatrick Huell and Eloise Reilly I have located another from the Red Cross
WW2 Comm. Calendar. Sally Craighill. With out this great site I would still be running around in circles. Thanks Jim for it.

We are currently 4 girls in the UK who have started re-enacting a Clubmobile unit in the UK. We've been quietly working and researching for a year and I now feel we can introduce ourselves.

We want to do justice and accurately portray Clubmobile workers, and have been slowly piecing together uniform, insignia and our Clubmobile set up, working with tents as a vehicle is out with our reach.

We will have space on our Units web site soon (see below) and welcome comments, suggestions and criticism ­ we want people to be happy with our portrayal.

This site is a wonderful source of reference for uniform and all manner of useful information, thank you for sharing with us.

I hope to hear from some of you soon.

Evelyn
Re-enacted Captain of ARC Clubmobile unit attached to
Big Red One, Easy Company,
16th Infantry, 1st US Infantry Division.

My stepfather has a book of photos and a roster of people who served at the 53rd general hospital in Merebrook Farm, Malvern Wells. Can you contact me in regards to whether or not he can be of any help in providing information to you, as he was there during the war as a pharmacist. Also, is anyone out there who knows him? His name is Benjamin Sliwinski and I'm sure he would like to chat. Thanks, Roger

Message: wow-the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up - here, I thought I was the only one wanting to write abot the Red Cross and Clubmobiles during WWII...not sure why I never researched the Internet for info given that I've worked in the industry for years but it's so great to find this site. Just pulled our an artical written by PFC. Alfred H. Fenton which I imagine was in the Providence, RI paper about my great aunt, Priscilla Burton, and the Red Cross Clubmobiles. She arrived in England in AUgust of 1943 and the article is about her and a women named Georgia Carson who arrived in England in May 44, Omaha Beach and the VII Corps in July 44 and then went on to Holland. Pre worked out of "Old Dominion" and Georgia out of "Everglades." They were interviewed in Germany and the other people mentioned are: Capt. Gardner A. Dean of Boston, Lt. Jim Lovitt, Gordon Otis, and a pvt. Dugas from Providence from Providence along with Pfc. Felix J. Szarek from West Waric!
k. Also mentioned are Lt. Dick Newell and Capt. Ben Bradford who were aviators. After my Aunt Pre passed away I saved quite a bit of memorabilia and have become curious and a bit obsessed with WWII. I do have her uniform and also my great uncle, her brother, Fletcher Burton was on of the first men to be killed in the invasion of Normandy--To ramble on just a bit longer. I found a box full of maybe 150 love letters written between Pre and a man she left here in the states when she joined the RC. He married when she was away - but when she came back we believe she saw him in NY after which she wouldn't come out of her roomat her parents for 9 months -(dead serious)--she remained unmarried for the rest of her life and I can't help but think there's a mystery to solve here. I'd appreciate information from anyone who may have know Priscilla and/or Fletcher Burton or anyone mentioned above. Also, I have some interesting records Phonographs?) from WWII as well as manuals han!
ded out to the RC regarding all sorts of policies such as entertainment, benefits and even notification of injury/death. Pre kept everything-even cancelled checks her mom wrote to the butcher in 1912 so I don't doubt these things are authentic--sorry for the info dump but if anyone is interested please get in touch. Thanks!

Thank you for this site. I am searching for anyone who knows of any ARC Clubmobile vets in INDIA during WWII. Thanks to all of you who served and CARED!! We are so proud and grateful!

I had the great pleasure of finding Virginia Griffith Hannum. An American Red Cross worker who served in WW 2 and Korea. I had the photo of her in the Korean War calendar put in a frame and sent it to the Ft. Wayne, IN. chapter who had a great presentation for her. I have talked with her and I think she has some info on others? She told me she will always be RED CROSS. It was wonderful talking to her and plan on visiting her when we go up north to visit the kids. This is the best site ever. Those gals did a remarkable job during the Wars. Love them all.

Hello, Tim--

Actually, there is a military vehicle club that has restored a Clubmobile...in France. The group is called Union Jeep Vexin, and shots of their clubmobile can be seen at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/unionjeepvexin/gmc_red_cross_mobile.htm

Through this site the group contacted us last winter, inviting former clubmobilers to join them at ceremonies commemorating thee D-Day anniversary last June. Group K's Janet Dillon Blair made the trip and was their guest of honor. A report on her experience will be posted here soon. Union Jeep Vixen has posted a full report on "Janet's Day," including her baptising their restored clubmobile with the name of her old one (Dallas), is at

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/unionjeepvexin/janet's%20day.htm

There's also an illustrated story of Janet's clubmobile experience at http://perso.wanadoo.fr/unionjeepvexin/janet%20blair.htm (the first long text part of which seems mostly borrowed from Elma Fay's history of clubmobiles on this site).

These pages are in French. To get a rough but understandable translation, go to http://www.google.com/language_tools?hl=en

Copy and paste the web address into the "translate a web page" box, choose "French to English" and click the Traslate button.

--Jim

My wife participates in WWII living histories and I do as well. Her impression is a Red Cross Clubmobiler. We have just purchased a 1942 CCKW long bed which we will be coverting into a Clubmobile. I would like to know if any of you veteran Clubmobilers can send me a "floorplan" or your memories of what the inside looked like. Where was the doughnut machine located, coffee maker, storage compartments etc. This would help out greatly in our restoration. To my knowledge, there is no Clubmobiles in the restored military vehicle clubs anywhere. Thanks! Tim & Terry Allen

I would love to have some of my uncles added to the memorial how can I do this. My Great Uncle Roy James Kidd fought in WW11 and received the silver star and purple heart. Ihave another great Uncle in WW11 and four uncles that fought in WW11 I am prosd of all the vets and I need some help thank you so much gerri culler gcullerATSIGNfirstcentury

my very brave and couragous dad William J Dunphy served in the war (Korean)from 1950 or 51 to 1953 .He was in the medical service in Korea.Born in Newfoundland in 1927 .Went to the army ATSIGN a very young age of 18 i think.Dad died in July 14 in the year 2002.very sudden.Icry every day for him .Iand all our family as well.He served our country as well as his family.Very honoured to have him as long as he was with us .Bless you all alive or deceased
.I WILL SAY MORE later

My name is Frank and I am 22 years old. I am very interested on the WW II and esspecially on the Battle of the Bulge because our City Diekrich was involved in the battle too. As my grand father has been living here he tels me a lot about those times.
So I am really interested in what happened here in 1944 and 1945.
I am even organizing an exhibiton in September here in the town to show people in my age how it was during the war and that we shall never forget those men and women who gave us our liberty.
As I was sufing on the internet I came to this page and there I found pictures which were taken here in Luxembourg and even in Diekrich. I was facinated about that.
I would be very happy to get some information from people who can tell me more about their experiences and the time here in Luxemb. and during the bulge. Because those people can tell more than any Document.
I would be very very happy to come in contact with the girl who is on the pictures and who was also here in Luxemb. and Diekrich.(I think it was Charlotte ??)
Thank you for reading this message and I hope to hear from you soon.
Bye bye. Frank

I'm currently engaged in a research project about the World War Two era. I'm having a hard time finding information about the young ladies who became volunteer nurses aids during the war years. I'm specifically looking to find infornation about volunteers in the New York area during the war. Also, I'm trying to find information or personal accounts of Red Cross "Grey Ladies". Any websites/ personal accounts or hints would be much appreciated.

Since I first found this site I have been in contact with many clubmobilers and have recieved much info on who I have been looking for. Also the people I have contacted have been more help in my understanding who a Red Cross person is and how it affects everyone they meet. If we could only take the time to listen, as they did when listening was important to the servicemen and servicewomen they were tending to, and writing the stories they tell (with their permission) of their experiences during the dark hours of WW2/Korea/Vietnam and all the rest of the times they were there when help couldn't wait, we would not be losing important history. being a Red Cross volunteer has been one of the most heart warming times in my life. Most of the stories you read about in news papers are mostly wrong when they try to put down an organization such as the Red Cross. It seems that the more you can denounce some things, without stretching the truth too far, the more the public !
is intrested in it, and that sells papers! As a Red Cross volunteer, i ask all of the people who have been to this wonderful site do a little listening when the moment comes. be it a relative of a Red cross person or a serviceman or woman, listen to the story they want to tell and maybe ask them if it's alright to jot it down, maybe tape it, and tell others about it. then get on this site and let the rest of us know! I'll do the same.
john roberts-volunteer-ARC

I am working on a memoir of my Mother --Mary Spencer Kimball ("Kimmie")-- and a significant chapter in the section on her Mentors is "Gen. George S. Patton Jr"...Mother joined Patton's 3rd Army December 1944 and first worked with Jean Gordon and Betty South. She also accompanied Patton when he went into Buchenwald. A lifelong admirer of Gen Patton and a good friend of Jean Gordon, she adamantly maintains that rumours of an affair between Gen. Patton and his niece Jean Gordon are pure malicious rubbish.
Mother's still kicking (83), riding her horse and reading everything written about Patton & the 3rd Army. I would appreciate any information/stories available about ARC Clubmobile Group L members, living or dead, to flesh out her own many stories and photographs of that time.
Thank you. Cynthia McLean

Ma'am,
I'm a WW2 History Nut! I served 22yrs in the 29th Inf. Division just retired last year. Your story is awsome! Your web site is unbelievable. You are a true American Hero for which I thank you! SFC(ret) Charlie Bury Jr

i was wandering if you could tell me anything about a boat called madeline that was involved in the evacuation of dunkirk in 1944

I recently published a book about my experiences as a Clubmobiler in WWII. It is called "A Woman in a Man's War;" subtitled "Reflections of a Red Cross Donut Girl of WWII." The book is a strictly personal account of what it was like to be a Clubmobiler and how the experience shaped my life. I wrote the first draft shortly after I came home from the war, and revised it with reflections from today's perspective for publication las November. I believe it would be useful for those wishing to know more about the actual life of the RCClubmobiler, as well as anyone wishing to read one peron's reactions rather than an official history.

I was with Group H attached to the XXth Corps of Patton's Third Army, and was Captain of the "Cedar Rapids." The book is available at local bookstores, Amazon. com, Borders.com or at www.xlibris.com/bookstore.
P. S. To the sergeant who said that we paid attention to the officers only and ignored the GI's, I address that perception in one chapter.
B.J. (Thomas) Olewiler

I am working on a history of all the Station and General Hospitals in the ETO (UK, France and Belgium)in 1942-6..I would love to hear from anyone who served with or has information on any of these units (there were nearly 200!!.

My father was in italy during wwII, we have a picture of him standing in front of a building that we understand was the red cross club. My brother recently went to italy 60 years later to try and locate the building. people told him it was probably sicily. we have many other pictures of him with other servicemen. if anyone knows where the location is or was, we are planning another trip in the near future. Dad didn't talk much about the war, he has passed on but we would like to visit the place where he was. my dad's name was arthur cole

As a London-based American Red Cross mobile-projectionist for about six months in 1944, my daily job was to drive a Hillman-10 to several different American Red Cross Clubs and/or American military facilities (mostly in the London area) ­ set up the two 16mm projectors I carried ­ and show movies. Several times a week I would pick-up “new” films at London railway stations. Hitler’s V-1 “Buzz Bomb” bombardment of London was in full swing (it started during my 18th birthday party on June 13, 1944).

I am writing in hope that someone will remember me, or some of the details above or below, and can help by confirming or filling in details needed so I can receive benefits this (almost) 78-year-old needs.

For example: one day at the American Red Cross club at London’s Golden Square ­ awaiting noontime chow which would be followed by a movie I would show ­ a group of GIs and this writer were standing outside whistling at a pretty girl in a red outfit who walked by. We then went up to the second floor to stand in the chow-line. A shadow flashed across the windows. Based on my experience I (alone) instantly recognized it as a V-1 “Buzz Bomb” about one second before the impact explosion. I yelled “DOWN” and shoved several GIs near me down to the floor with me.

An instant later the explosion showered us with glass from the “taped” windows, and there were minor cuts, but my warning no doubt prevented serious injury or death. We went outside to see if we could be of help. The pretty girl in red was badly injured. One eye was hanging down on her cheek. I took her and others to hospital in the Hillman-10 (a pick-up truck with a canvas roof over the rear).

Born in America to British parents . . . I was living with them in London, while attending college, when WWII started in 1939. From 1940 ­ during the Battle-of-Britain ­ to 1942 I attended Pre-RAF college, on England’s south coast. And we spent our lunch-periods watching the dog-fights in the skies overhead. We all vowed to become fighter pilots.

In 1942, I was selected at age 16 to complete my flight training on board Britain’s largest flying boat. We flew unarmed from the south of England to Foynes, in the neutral south of Ireland, to meet Pan American Airways “Clipper” flying boats which ­ because they were unarmed ­ would not fly to war-torn England. While I learned every job-function on our plane, we served as the England-Ireland leg of the Pan Am’s transatlantic VIP passengers and diplomatic mail. And, while in the air, I was the VIP’s liaison-person. One VIP we transported was Admiral King, Commander-in-Chief, Allied-Atlantic-Fleet.

The British would not release me to become a fighter-pilot (like all of my friends). They said that I was too valuable in what they had me trained for: to fill in for any flying boat crew-member who became incapacitated. So, I visited London’s American Embassy and showed them my American birth certificate. I told them that I wanted to become a U.S. Army Air Corps fighter pilot. The American Embassy agreed that I probably could if I acted before my 18th birthday, but it would take time to verify my birth and to get started I would have to immediately give them my British passport. This meant I could no longer fly to Ireland for the British and would have no income. Furthermore, the American Embassy wanted me to stay in the London area so that I could quickly answer any questions that came up. The American Embassy said they could arrange for me to be employed in the London area ­ as a British subject ­ by the American Red Cross. That is how I became a projectionist. O!
ne problem. Even though I could pilot a huge 4-engine flying boat, like most English people at that time, I did not know how to drive a car.

My American citizenship was verified, I passed my U.S. Army physical, and I was in the process of signing into the U.S. Army Air Corps. in the recruiting office at the American Embassy when I overheard whispered conversation and learned that I could not fly if I joined the USAAC in the European Theater of Operations (ETO). In other words, the recruiting people were lying to me. Very angry . . . I threw down the pen and quickly walked out down the Embassy’s long marble hallway with a little Navy chief running alongside begging me to change my mind, then threatening what was going to happen.

To get to America, join the USAAC, and become a fighter-pilot . . . a few days later I signed up at the London offices of the U.S. Merchant Marine as a replacement for a seaman who had been killed, injured or taken sick. These offices were called the U.S. War Shipping Administration/Recruitment & Manning Organization (WSA/RMO). A few days later (on the second day of the V-2 attacks on London) I was sent by train to Southampton to be met by a U.S. Army jeep and taken to the docks to be signed on board a ship. However, the Army jeep had an accident on the way to the docks and I missed the ship. Three days later I was signed aboard an American munitions ship. Three rather active months later I arrived in America, just before Christmas Day.

In America in January 1945 I volunteered to join the USAAC, but failed the physical exam that I had passed at London’s American Embassy. And, they refused to tell me why I failed. I was brokenhearted . . . I loved flying. Fortunately, the radio officer on the ship had befriended me upon learning that I had built radios in London as a hobby before WWII and that I had flight radio experience with the British. He told me how to become an American ship’s radio officer, in case my USAAC plans to fly failed to materialize. So I applied for ship’s radio officer training, but I failed their even less stringent physical exam. The reason I failed was “war neurosis”, for which the U.S. Merchant Marine treated me before they would allow me to start radio officer traing.

I completed my training and sailed as a combination radio officer and purser for about six years, all around the world, aboard tankers and on troop transports. Then I got into high technology engineering sales, found I had talent as an inventor, and became a registered Professional Engineer. For a good while everything went well. Then my business soured due to dishonesty of a business associate. And, health became a problem, including loss of vision in one eye and cancer.

So after a rather full and interesting life I find myself in the twilight years, no longer able to work and without the funds to live. Thank God I am entitled to veteran’s medical benefits, but, because all my records were destroyed in a fire and because I have been unable to get proof from the British that I flew with the then para-military, fledgling, BOAC 1942-1944 . . . or proof from the American Red Cross of my London affiliation in 1944 . . . or proof from London’s American Embassy of the 1944 events described above . . . or proof from the U.S. Army of the physical I passed in London in 1944 and failed to pass in America in 1945 . . . TOO LATE I learn the extreme importance of keeping copies ­ and copies of the copies in a separate place ­ of all life’s significant events.

One thing I omitted. My home in England from 1940 until I stopped flying in early 1944 was Bournemouth, a very beautiful town on England's south coast which became an U.S. Eight Air Force Rest Center. And I flew from Poole Harbour (about 5 miles west of Bournemouth). Bournemouth's beautuful Mirimar Hotel <http://www.miramar-bournemouth.com> was an American Red Cross officers club and when they learned I was a dual citizen born in America, living in Bournemouth, and flying out of Poole . . . they welcomed me to use the club. My friend Ken Bailey was sports editor for the Bournemouth Daily Echo newspaper. Whenever I was not flying he would give me a fist-full of free tickets to a dozen parties in town. Naturally I shared these tickets with my American friends at the Miramar. Unfortunately, my friend Ken Bailey has passed on . . .

If anyone reading this remembers me ­ Ken Monaghan ­ or has any comments or suggestions, I look forward to hearing from you ­ kmonaghanATSIGNgot.net <mailto:kmonaghanATSIGNgot.net>