Month: July 2019

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 13, 1943 – Tuesday

“Well  had some more blood tests, also heart, lungs etc.  Dr told me my windpipe was shoved clear over to one side of my neck.  Entered hospital about 5 p.m.  Jerrie drove me out as Harley took bus back to work.  After my supper I was so tired I went to bed and to sleep.  Slept for about 2 hrs.   Then nurses came and worked me over some and gave me some capsules to make me sleep more.“

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 12, 1943 – Monday

“Boy did I ever have a lot to do getting ready.  Lots of shopping and boy the hospital will look good to me as I am already worn completely out.  Well all ready to leave in the a.m. “

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 11, 1943 – Sunday

“Well no more work for several weeks.  Am supposed to rest from now until Wed.  But I don’t rest a lot as I have a lot to do.  Harley worked today.  Not his Sunday to work but so busy was asked to work.  Carl came down.  Took me out to Jerrie’s for awhile.  Jerrie planning on going to St Helena with us Tues and stay over. “

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 7, 1943 – Wednesday

“Went to Dr.  Everything that is wrong is because of goiter.  Blood mostly white corpuscles.  Decided to have operation on Wed, July 14.  Go to hospital July 13.  Am really anxious to have it over.  Have swell doctor. “

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 4, 1943 – Sunday

“Worked today.  Had swell lunch at 6 p.m.  We made coffee and one girl brought home-made cinnamon buns.  Sure were good.  Sewed #4 Ensigns nearly all day.  Harley visited me at 8 p.m.  First time he had been in Flag Loft.  Found out it was first time he had seen a powered machine run. “

The flag loft on Mare Island employed 500 workers, 400 women doing their part by working 8 hours a day 6 days a week.  The U.S. Navy numbers its flags 1 through 12, one being the largest and 12 the smallest.    An ensign is the national flag flown on a vessel to indicate citizenry. The ensign is the largest flag,  generally flown at the stern (rear) of the ship while in port. 

Production facts for July 1943:
• 12,000 to 17,000 flags per week
• 800 to 900 National Ensigns
• 400 to 500 Union Jacks
• Signal flags
• Commissioning pennants, etc.

 

See this post for more information about my Grandmother’s diary.

July 1, 1943 – Thursday

” Went to Dr for complete examination.  Have felt bad lately.  I guess the goiter is mostly my trouble.  Blood tested mostly white corpuscles.  Came back and went to work.  Took a Wassermann test so have to go back next Wed to see how it comes out.“

Not sure why they were doing a Wassermann test…I did a little research on this test use during the 1940s  and found it was primarily used to determine syphilis.