World War II Woman

A Trip to the Country

Myrle was born and raised in the Logan section of Philadelphia. During the World War II years, she was living at home with her mother, father, her sister Claire and Claire’s baby. Her sister’s husband, Lester, was overseas in the Air Force and had never seen his child.

Myrle recalls seeing the telegram sitting on the dining room table telling of the death of Lester. His plane was about to take off from an island near New Guinea in the South Pacific when it exploded, going up in a ball of fire and killing everyone aboard. As a young girl, Myrle recalls this uneasy feeling, not quite understanding the full significance of the telegram. A Gold Star appeared in their window.

After work at a dress shop in the city, Myrle and some of her friends would go to the USO downtown where they would talk with the soldiers and sailors, have refreshments, and just enjoy one another’s company.

One of Myrle’s brothers-in-law had a vegetable plot at a community garden. She recalls seeing him go off with his rake and other garden tools and travel by trolley to his plot.

There was a POW camp right in Philadelphia in the Logan section. It was in a building in Wister Park. Myrle does not remember ever seeing any of the prisoners.

A big event occurred when President Roosevelt paid a visit to Philadelphia. People were lined up at the corner of Germantown and Chelten streets to get a glimpse. To Myrle, it felt like seeing a god, someone on a pedestal.

Gas rationing was not particularly difficult for the family since they were able to use public transportation for most occasions. However, every so often her father announced that they were going on a “trip,” and Myrle and her three sisters would climb into the back of the car. Up Route 611 they would travel, out into the country to Jack’s Dog Farm in Pipersville, turn around and head back home. On these “trips,” the girls would try to get their father to pass the car ahead of them. If he managed to pass it, they would all applaud. Such were life’s pleasures in the late 1930’s.

For other World War II stories, go to www.peggeorge.com

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