Soldier News - January/February 1943

Barbara Cooper Sworn into the U.S. Army

Bainbridge News & Republican, Jan. 21, 1943

 

Miss Barbara Cooper, daughter of Mrs. Melda Cooper, of Mt. Upton [Chenango Co., NY], was one of 14 more members of the WAAC to be sworn into the Nation's Women's Army at the Binghamton Recruiting Station late Tuesday.  They now await orders to report for training.  Miss Cooper is a sister-in-law of Mrs. Alfred Cooper, Guilford, and made her home in Guilford during the summer and early fall with her.  She made many friends while here, who wish her much success.  She has a brother, Cpl. Alfred Cooper, stationed in the Medical Department, Rome Air Deport, and another brother Greydon Cooper recently inducted.  Miss Cooper is a valued employee of the Scintilla Co., in Sidney. 

 

Miss Virginia Blakeley Joins WAACS

Bainbridge News & Republican, Feb. 4, 1943

 

Miss Virginia Blakeley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bryce D. Blakeley, of Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY], has passed her final physical examination for the W.A.A.C. and was sworn into the service last Friday in Binghamton.  She is Bainbridge's first W.A.A.C. recruit and is now awaiting call.  Miss Blakeley attended Milwaukee Downer College, Milwaukee for two years, and Paine Hall in New York city where she specialized as a laboratory technician.  Until her enlistment she had been employed at the Chenango Memorial Hospital in Norwich [Chenango Co., NY]. 

 

Delvin De Forest Missing in Action

Bainbridge News & Republican, Feb. 18, 1943

 

Reported Missing in Action:  Pvt. Delvin De Forest, 24, of Sidney Center [Delaware Co., NY], and nephew of Bert De Forest, of this village [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY] was reported missing in action a month ago in North Africa, and no word has since been received to the contrary.  Delvin was born in Bainbridge and is the son of the late Frank De Forest. 

 

Paul Sherman and Robert Smith Called for Active Duty

Bainbridge News & Republican, Feb. 25, 1943

 

Two Bainbridge boys, who enlisted in the Army Reserve have been called to active duty.  Paul Sherman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sherman, who enlisted in Army Air Cadets six months ago, has been called to report at Syracuse, Sunday, Feb. 28, and Robert Smith son of Mr. and Mrs. Fayette Smith, left for Atlantic City Thursday morning as a recruit for the Army Air Corps. 

 

Paul, one of the village's most popular young men, is an outstanding athlete of this area.  He was a member of the town baseball club for several seasons, and he played on the town basketball team.  He was most prominent in the Sidney Cardinals Semi-Pro Football squad, playing the center position.  While in Bainbridge Central High School, Paul played baseball, basketball and football.  He played center on the high school football team and distinguished himself in that position. 

 

His wife, the former Miss Harriet Holman, will make her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Holman, Juliand street, during her husband's absence.

 

Robert, always a favorite with all of his friends, has also shown considerable ability as an athlete.  He had just completed his Sophomore year at Mechanics Institute, Rochester and had been chosen a member of the All-Star basketball squad.  He graduated with the Class of 1941 from Bainbridge Central High School, and during his stay in high school, he took in many activities.  He was a member of the football, basketball and baseball teams, and he also played in the band.