Soldier News - 1942

 

Arrives Safely:  Mrs. Morris Winchell received a cablegram from her husband, Pvt. Morris Winchell, telling of his safe arrival with the A.E.F. somewhere in Great Britain.  He is well and the voyage was uneventful.  This was one of the largest contingents of American troops to be sent overseas.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, July 30, 1942]

 

Farewell Party:  Mrs. Darwin Taft entertained at a farewell day, Sunday, in honor of her son, James, who leaves today, Thursday, for Fort Niagara, where he will begin service with the U.S. Army.  The guests included in addition to the immediate family, Mrs. Harland Gridley, of Cortland, Mrs. Martha Taft, and Mr. and Mrs. Augustine Taft.  James was presented with many useful gifts.  [Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 6, 1942]

 

Local Police Officer Enlists in The Army

William Payne Granted Leave of Absence from Duties to Serve with Military Police

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 13, 1942

 

William Payne

 

Former Police Chief William "Bill" Payne left Friday of last week for Syracuse where he took his final examination prior to his entrance in the United States Army.

 

Officer Payne has been granted a leave of absence by the Village Board after having requested it, that he might volunteer his services to his country.  He expects to return to his job here after the war.

 

William Payne came to Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] from Walton [Delaware Co., NY], where he had been night policeman for the previous three and a half years, on May 1, 1939.  His successful record in Walton has been rivaled during his stay in Bainbridge and his presence will be missed by the local residents.

 

His training has included a special course on fingerprinting at the Institute of Applied Science in Chicago, largest school of its kind in the world.  Chief Payne completed his course there in 1938.  In February of this year, Payne was granted time off to attend the F.B.I. Defense classes conducted in Binghamton and designed for police officers primarily.  Officer Payne attended these classes which specialized in War Duty, Office's Duty, Police communications, Traffic Control in Wartime and blackout, Police Personnel Problems and similar timely courses.

 

On August 1, "Bill's" leave began and on August 4 he enlisted in the army at Binghamton, tentatively assigned to the military Police Detachment.  The Bainbridge people wish Mr. Payne the best of success in his new work and look forward to seeing him back on his old beat again.

 

Dr. Ben L. Dodge to Enter the Service

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 20, 1942

 

Dr. Ben L. Dodge, prominent young physician, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has been summoned for duty in the U.S. Army and will report to Camp Edwards, Mass. August 31, where he will be assigned to his post.  He is one of the first medical men to be called from Chenango County.

 

Dr. Dodge, one of the only two doctors in t his community, came to this town in 1932 and purchased the property of the late Dr. Leal Perry, in West Main street, where he opened his office and has since resided.  He was graduated form Albany Medical College after having taken his pre-medical course at Colgate University.  He served his internship at the Genesee Hospital in Rochester.

 

Born in Afton [Chenango Co., NY], he is the son of Mrs. Lee Dodge and the late Dr. Dodge.  Like his father, Dr. Ben Dodge has been popular in Bainbridge and has won the respect of all of his friends.  Dr. Dodge is president of the Chenango County Medical Society.  He was responsiblee for the founding and organization of the local Conamore Nursing Home, and was active on the staff of the Bainbridge Hospital. 

 

Mrs. Dodge and their three children, Barbara, Gale and Lee, will remain at their home here.  Dr. Dodge will be greatly missed by his many friends and business acquaintances in Bainbridge, and he is wished the best of luck in his new field. 

 

James Stewart Now in Australia

Bainbridge News & Republican, Aug. 20, 1942

 

James Stewart, former resident of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], who has built up a record of adventure in the present war that fires the imagination of all is now serving with the Red Cross in Australia, as a field director.  "Jimmy," who survived the German sinking of the Zamzam while en route to Egypt, later made a thrilling escape from a prisoner's train and managed to reach America once more.  He is at present a resident of Oneonta [Otsego Co., NY], when he is not in some distant land as now.  He was on his way to the Orient when the attack on Pearl Harbor left him stranded in Australia, where he promptly joined the Red Cross and is now serving "Down Under."