Author: Kathi

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. 

 

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

June 20, 1943 – Father’s Day – Sunday

” Got up at 8 a.m. but later lay down and dozed off and what a miserable dream.  Stayed home all day.  Feeling much better – took it easy.  Was warm this a.m. but turned cold this p.m.   Have oven burning.  Don’t know yet why the air raid, blackout last night.  Sprained my wrist punching “signal cards” – sure swollen.“

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

June 19, 1943 – Saturday

” First air raid since we’ve been here.  Came on about 1:15 – I should say Sunday a.m. – lasted until 1:50.  Had a time getting everything blacked out.  Sure glad I was home from the yard.  Saw a plane in the sky but know nothing yet.  Balloons sure went skyward.  Moonlight nite – few fluffy clouds-real light.“

The Oakland Tribune had the following article in the paper on the 21 of June 1943.

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

June 18, 1943 – Friday

” Boy what a cold & cough = feel rotten but will rest Sunday – if I make it.  Guess I have flu.  Blistered my neck with omega oil – darn it – sure burns.“

 

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

June 17, 1943 – Thursday

” Was hot when we went to work – didn’t take wrap – turned cold before we got off work and nearly froze going home.  Have bad cold too.“

 

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

June 16, 1943 – Wednesday

” When I say Hot – I mean HOT today.  How can weather change so quickly.“

Temperature that day in Vallejo was 98 degrees.  Imagine that with no air conditioning!

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

June 15, 1943 – Tuesday

” Hot – Hot – Hot.  Froze to death yesterday and tongue out today.  Some country.  Boy will I ever get of of here when this horrible war is over.“

 

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

June 7, 1943 – Monday

” Rec’d word from Red Cross that Earl had received his cable…I doubt it but we can only hope & pray he did.  No answer as yet.  Was supposed to have rec’d it May 19th.“