Tag Archives: WWII

“Tire Shortage”

07 Monday Nov 2011

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As you probably know, during WWII many things were collected and recycled for the war effort like metal and rubber. Grampa Losee cleverly titled this “Tire Shortage” but it was most likely the truth to the image. Not only are these gentlemen changing a flat, they are probably worried about how many times they’ve patched the same tire over and over. This was probably taken along Rt. 9 in Red Hook, NY.

“Tire-Shortage” 4/12/42

I finally remembered the other day where I had put grampa Losee’s civil defender arm band, too late now for the “Buried Liz” post about civil defense, but not far from the subject of this post. The location was a lot safer and more obvious than I had given myself credit for!

 

Honorable Discharge

05 Saturday Nov 2011

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When I went away to school I was given my grandfather’s WWII pea-coat to wear. It was and is quite honestly one of my prize possessions. I wore it for many years until I noticed it was getting quite a bit threadbare. Too anxious that it should be ruined beyond repair, I stopped wearing it and it has hung in my closet ever since.

Shirt and Peacoat – note Walter’s name and serial number bleached into the lining, which has been repaired at the top by my grandmother Losee

After he passed away, I also came into possession of one of his navy shirts (behind the coat, above). Though, probably not the one he’s wearing below, it does have his name and serial number in it. I wore it to work just the other day!

Bertha M. Kilmer Hermans and son Walter C. Hermans in 1945

Honorable Discharge, 1 Apr 1946
Seaman Second Class, Walter Clayton Hermans
Post Office, Copake Falls, Columbia Co NY
Occupation, Park Superintendant, Taconic State Park Commission.

Walter C. Hermans Honorable Discharge, April 1st, 1946

Good night little Punky

02 Wednesday Nov 2011

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Below is a transcription of an undated letter from my grandfather, Walter Hermans to his wife Helen Pulver Hermans. The letter is written on a scrap paper labeled “Taconic State Park Commission Weekly Record of Telephone Calls”. He was the superintendent at Rudd Pond in Millerton in the 1940’s.

This was written when Walter was in the Navy. He never went overseas, but was stationed domestically. His job was to guard the bridge he mentions in the letter as being only 5 minutes away: the Taconic Parkway bridge that runs over the Croton reservoir.  Today there are two bridges for each direction of the parkway. Pleasantville, NY is about 5 miles from Millwood. The ‘Puddy’ he refers to is his first child, my aunt Linda. He calls Helen ‘Punky’ and signs the letter ‘Punky’ as well.

Judy Snedeker (Walter’s neice), Helen Pulver Hermans and Walter Hermans

Dear Punky,
Well I got settled here this morning about 7:30 and got in bed at 8:15, slept until 5:30 this afternoon. Now I feel like a million dollars. It is plenty warm down here in the building.
The post office is Millwood, NY c/o T.S.P.C. The phone number is Briarcliff 2185.
It seems quite a relief not to have to drive all the way up to Rudd Pond as it only takes about five minutes to get to the bridge. They are going to put in a phone at the bridge and I will give you the number as soon as it is put in.
I got my radio hooked up and so far it plays good.
I me most of the fellows here this morning and they seem to be a pretty good lot, mostly Sweeds and Dutchmen.
I hope you don’t miss me too much but if I get as much rest the next few nights I may take a run up early in the week. But I will be home Wednesday a m anyway.
The night man just came in and is going to take me over to Pleasantville to show me a good place to eat. I’ll follow him over and then hope I can find my way back. I’ll mail this over there.
I broke a shoe lace tonight so I’ll have to invest 5$ for a new pair.
Well darling you take good care of Puddy and tell her that her daddy will be home soon. Good night Punky be a good punky cause I love you
Good night little Punky.
Punky.

Walter and daughter Linda Hermans in 1943

“Buried Liz”

28 Friday Oct 2011

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For you on this snowy October morning in Dutchess County, here is my grandfather’s car!

“Buried Liz” 02/09/1945 by John Losee

In front of the Losee (Thomas) house, in Upper Red Hook. The car has two points of interest sticking out of the snow: 1) the searchlight on the right side and 2) the Civil Defense logo on the left. During WWII, grandpa was a local civil defender. I’m not sure exactly what his responsibilities were, but I image he patrolled during air raid drills or something similar. This reminds me of a WWII-era Bugs Bunny cartoon where someone in the distance shouts “put out that light!!” Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk (I. Friz Freleng, 1943) But I can’t imaging Grampa yelling about anything!

I don’t know who the gentleman is, but my Gramm, Clara Losee (in the red kerchief) is standing just between the columns and gutter on the porch.

“Pullets & Doodlebug”

27 Thursday Oct 2011

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 “Pullets & Doodlebug” 9/12/1943 Red Hook, NY by John Losee

From 1931 until the late 40’s/early 50’s my grandfather owned and operated an apple orchard on the west side of Rt. 9 just south of Rockefeller Lane in Red Hook, NY. It was a tough business that he was forced to take on after his father died. Previous to that he was a scientist working for Bell Labs in the city. I have other shots of the Doodlebug and should see if I can identify the make, but this one is my favorite. I also love how he recovered a seat with an old flannel shirt.

During WWII, tractors were not mass produced as they are now. Instead, farmers took components from cars, trucks, and any other machinery available to build and repair their tractors so they could continue their farming. They called their invention “the doodlebug.”

They used their doodlebugs to plow, hay fields, haul logs, and pull out stumps. To do all this, the doodlebug needed good ground clearance for use in any conditions, going under trees, and climbing most any terrain. For protection they had a hood, cowl radiator, a small seat, some had a small truck bed, and most had a hitching point to tow with.

– Dundee Creek Doodlebugs

The shack in the background may be a chicken coop, but may also be his residence, which was a re-purposed chicken coop! When he married in 1944, my grandmother moved in there with him and they had their first two children with them until moving to Rock City in the early 50’s. My grandmother really, really loved my grandfather!