This week we take a look back at 1943. As World War II raged on, Allied troops made their first landing in Europe on the island of Sicily. Russian forces turned back German invaders in the Battle of Stalingrad. In the Pacific, Japanese troops evacuated Guadalcanal after bloody battles with U.S. troops. In the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, Polish resistance fighters tried and failed to stop the deportation of Jews to Nazi death camps.
Fun Fact: Actress Bea Arthur (a.k.a. Maude and Dorothy from “The Golden Girls”) was a U.S. Marine from 1943 to 1945 with an honorably discharged rank of staff sergeant.
Here is what was happening in our Valley!
Tuesday, March 23, 1943
Films Thursday At Assumption Hall
ANSONIA – Moving pictures of the Holy Cross victory over Boston College, the most startling upset of the 1942 college football season, will be shown at the Assumption Hall Thursday evening at 8 o’clock. Rev. John R. O’Connor extends an invitation to the general public who are interested in seeing the movies.
Albert E. Moran New Member Of Police Force
DERBY – Albert E. Moran, a member of the supernumerary police force for the last 13 years, last night was sworn in as a member of the regular police force, in the capacity of a patrolman and will begin his new duties April 1. His appointment fills one of two vacancies on the regular force, the first which occurred several years ago upon the death of Patrolman John J. Sheehy and the second which resulted from the resignation of Patrolman Edward Manion.
Mr. Moran was sworn in by Mayor C.F. Caldwell at the city hall.
Capt. Louis And Corpl. Ted Rogol Meet In Africa; Dramatic Reunion Of Seymour Brothers Revealed In Physician’s Letter Home
SEYMOUR – How two brothers who had been in the Army for more than a year without meeting each other finally got together most unexpectedly in north Africa is revealed in a letter received by Mayer Rogol, Main Street merchant, from his son, Capt. Louis Rogol, M.D., this morning.
The letter, written March 9, reads as follows:
“Dear Dad,
Arrived in north Africa safe and sound and rejoined my regiment. The first thing I did was, of course, to look for Ted (his brother, a corporal in the Amry) and sure enough, in one of the buildings where I had some business to transact, I found him working with his outfit. The world grows smaller all the time. He looks fine and feels well. I must say he doesn’t do too much work right now and right now I guess his whole company is not too busy. His officer kindly let me have him and so for the past few days I have been making contact with him and we are spending most of the day together. Of course, I have certain duties and he is tagging along, but I think he is getting a great kick out of it.”
Shelton Exceeds War Bond Quota
SHELTON – The sale of war savings bonds for the month of February in this city exceeded the quota by 10 percent, according to Edward L. Miller, local chairman. A total of $34,706.26 in series E war bonds were sold and the quota was $31,492.
Wednesday, March 24, 1943
Boston Store Street Floor Swept By Flame Last Night
ANSONIA – Fire attributed to a shorted electrical circuit swept the street floor of the Boston Store at Main and Bridge streets early last evening causing an estimated $3,500 in damage to the building and fixtures, and as yet an undetermined loss to the stock.
Patrolman Frederick W. Hummel suffered a painful burn on his right hand when he entered the store to escort Sigmund Hiersh, the manager, to the street through rapidly spreading fire and suffocating smoke. James Hughes, a fireman of the Webster Hose company, suffered a painful cut on his ankle from falling glass.
New York State Man Arrested Last Night
DERBY – Fred Stevenson, 52, of New York state, caused some excitement at Main Street and Derby Avenue last night by dodging automobiles and otherwise making himself obnoxious. He was warned several times by Policeman Albert E. Moran, who finally placed him under arrest and took him to the police station. Stevenson will be arraigned in court this afternoon, charged with breach of peace and intoxication.
Magician James L. Holmes Has An Eye Injury
SEYMOUR – James L. Holmes, of North Main Street, a well-known magician, is under the care of Dr. William H. Ryder, New Haven eye specialist, as the result of an injury received while working at the Kerite Insulated Wire & Cable company Monday. While putting on a belt at the plant, it whipped around, striking him a severe blow across the right eye.
Firemen Quell Grass And Dump Fires
SHELTON – The Echo Hose, Hook and Ladder company was summoned twice yesterday afternoon to quell small fires. At 12:30, the firemen were called on a telephone call to extinguish a grass fire at the Viggiano Farm on Long Hill Avenue, and at 2:30 to put out a dump fire in the rear of the American Crucible company on Canal Street.
Thursday, March 25, 1943
Koch Brothers In Service
ANSONIA – Two sons of Mrs. Michael Hopkins of Clark Street are serving their country in separate branches of the United States armed forces. George Koch is a seaman second class in the U.S. Navy. He received his boot training at the Great Lakes, Ill. naval station and prior to entering Uncle Sam’s sea forces was employed in the local plant of the American Brass company.
His brother, Corporal William Koch, is serving with the U.S. Army. Corporal Koch left this city with the national guards on March 14, 1941, and a week ago Sunday, marked the completion of his second year in service.
New Members Join Hellzapoppin’ Girls
ANSONIA – At the weekly meeting of the Hellzapoppin’ Girls held last night at the home of Miss Christine Hadder of Lester Street, the Misses Edith and Florence Piscioneri joined the club. Routine business matters were disposed of and the resignation of Miss Kay Sampiere, financial secretary, was accepted with regret.
A social hour was enjoyed and refreshments served by the hostess.
Eat Fire Instead Of Dinner
SEYMOUR – Instead of hearing the dinner bell at noon today, the firemen were hustled to High Street by a house call to attend a grass fire in the rear of Edwin Peck’s home. The blaze covered the entire hillside between Peck’s and the home of Herbert Williams. In addition to the firemen, a couple score of youngsters pitched in, and at writing, the threatening blaze seemed under control.
South End Market Opens After 6 Weeks
SHELTON – Good news to the people in south end is Patsy Canganelly’s announcement in tonight’s issue that the South End Market is open again after six weeks’ enforced closing due to a bad fire there on Feb. 12.
The blaze, which did much damage to the store interior and ruined a large amount of produce in the market, gave people in the south end their first experience of being without a neighborhood market in nearly 50 years. Many of them were quite lost without the store at hand. Open before breakfast in the morning and handy all day long, the store had become an institution.
Friday, March 26, 1943
Ansonia Soldier Has Second Lead In Army Picture
ANSONIA – Private Louis Maffeo, of this city, who is stationed with the first motion picture unit, A.A.F., at Culver City, California, and did a bit in the U.S. Army film “Hamburg Run,” has been given the second lead in “Radio Operator,” another U.S. Army movie in which Don Castle of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, now an Army private, has the leading role as “Joe Donahue.” Private Maffeo is cast as the assistant radio operator.
Lenten Services At St. Michael’s Tonight
DERBY – Lenten services consisting of stations of the cross and benediction will be held tonight at 7:30 in St. Michael’s Church. On Sunday, a two week’s mission will open at the church, the first week for women and the second week for men of the parish under the direction of the Vincentian Fathers of Erie, Pa.
In The Services
SEYMOUR – Pvt. John “Buddy” Madigosky, son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Madigosky of South Main Street, who went on active duty with the Army on March 1, is undergoing basic training at Camp Hood, Texas.
Seaman First Class Richard T. Kelly, son of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Kelly, of Prospect Avenue, is home on four days’ leave.
P.F.C. Adolph Drummer, son of Mrs. Elizabeth Drummer of Washington Avenue, who is in the Army air forces, is now located at Scott Field, Illinois.
Valedictorian Of Class Of 1943 Announced At Hight School
SHELTON – Miss Christina Agnes Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Howard W. Smith, will be the valedictorian of the graduating Class of 1943 of the Shelton High School. Albert Jospeh Walcek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Micheal F. Walcek, will be the salutatorian, it was announced today by Percy Kingsley, principal.
Saturday, March 27, 1943
Coach Jarvis Is Arranging Track, Baseball Slates
ANSONIA – Coach Charles “Boots” Jarvis is at work arranging his track and baseball schedules for the spring season. The Lavender mentor also has candidates in both sports going through workouts in the high school gymnasium each afternoon of the school week, getting in some preliminary practice before going outside for regular drills at the athletic field.
Potter Warns Of Allowing Dogs To Run Without Leash
ANSONIA – Dog Warden Herbert Potter, who was out yesterday afternoon after recovering from injuries incurred in a runaway on Maple Street last week, said that numerous complaints have been received from residents preparing their yards for war gardens of unleashed dogs running over them and causing considerable damage.
Mr. Potter said that even though a dog is licensed, the law does not permit him to run aboard on the streets unless the animal is on a leash. Mr. Potter stated that he will be forced to pick up dogs whose owners allow them to roam abroad and advises dog owners to keep the dogs tied up or at least securely enclosed at all times.
Boy Scouts’ War Stamps And Bond Sale Still Going On
DERBY –A total of $753.50 worth of bonds and stamps have been sold to date by the Scouts of Troop 4, of St. Michael’s Church, Derby, at their war stamp booth in the lobby of J.C. Penney store on Elizabeth Street. This sum represents sales since the booth was started less than three weeks ago and indicates promotional salesmanship by the boys in this patriotic endeavor.
First Baseball Practice To Be Held At French Memorial Field Monday
SEYMOUR – Coach Johnny Janenda announces that, weather permitting, the first practice of the season for his high school baseball squad will be staged at French Memorial field Monday afternoon. In spite of war difficulties, every effort, he added, will be made to play out a schedule, but that a full Housatonic League schedule seems unlikely with only five teams in the circuit apparently ready to put teams on the field.