WW2 Chapter 90 - Franklin's Dog

  
12/28/45

Dear Dave,

     The Filipino boys have a game which is just like your marble "contests" -- only they use centavo pieces -- a copper coin which is a size between that of a nickel and quarter.

Blackie and Pete

     You must be getting quite gigantic -- "probably" even taller than Pete. I have a dog over here, too -- a red Irish setter. He looks just about like Black, with the exception of being considerably larger. He's the only pure-bred dog I've seen on the island -- and the only large dog of any variety. Naturally because of this he produces considerable comment from everyone that sees him -- especially when he's riding in the cab of my truck -- he sits up so straight and proud, and never misses a thing. At night, he sleeps by my cot -- and in the morning, pushes his nose under my mosquito net. He's so very much like Black in every way that often times when I look down, I almost expect it to be Black. He even presses the side of his head against your hand.


Photo of an Irish Setter

     I'm glad that your Bantams have begun to produce again. And I certainly enjoyed your U.P.N. -- including the comic strip "Kingy". Thanks very much, Snodgrass.

Much love,

Watty

Enclosed Coins

     Enclosed are two coins -- 10 centavos, and 1/10 guilder (Netherlands East Indies) -- worth 5, and 5 and a fraction cents, respectively.


Although Franklin's letters do not provide a lot of information, his dog may have originally been from the Army’s “K-9 Corps.” Under this program, private citizens donated certain pure-bred dogs to the military where they received special training before being sent overseas to join troops in combat. The dogs were found to be particularly effective in the dense jungles of the Pacific and also boosted the morale of the men (and may have also helped Franklin recover from some of his combat experiences).

Due to an Irish Setter’s favorable temperament, loyalty, and ability to swim, Franklin’s dog may have previously been used as either a sentry or a messenger dog. A sentry dog was used at night and on patrol and could reportedly detect an ambush or approaching Japanese soldiers up to 1,000 yards away. A messenger dog was used for sending messages quickly and silently between two handlers. After the war, the dogs were reportedly returned to their civilian owners.

WW2 Chapter 91 - A Christmas Dinner



Letter of January 6, 1946

1/6/46

Dear Mother,

     The sun came out today! -- thought I'd never get my clothes dry. Lately, I've been having the Japanese do my washing -- we get a certain number six days a week to work in the company area.

     Understand that investigations are being conducted in regard to the food being served in Philippine mess halls -- hope that something comes of it. It seems that by now we should be able to get such things as apples and oranges just once in a while. We had fairly good chow on Xmas -- a very small piece of turkey, dressing, dehydrated potatoes, beans, peas, bread and fresh butter, ice tea, ice cream -- and even a piece of pumpkin pie!

The hydrox were excellent -- thank you very much.

Funny thing about that dog of mine. He won't touch candy, -- but he loves ice cream and ice water.

There has been much ado about Patterson's statement -- that he was ignorant of the fact that point scores [for going home] in the Pacific were effective only to V-J day. But then how could the Secretary of War be expected to be familiar with such things?

We've been having movies three and four times a week. Usually there is a newsreel of some five or six months ago in addition.

Love,

Franklin

A Christmas photo from back home

WW2 Chapter 92 - Bamboo Trees (and Shoestring Ridge)

Letter of January 22

1/22/46

Dear Mother, 

Finished work yesterday, then threw all my things together, loaded it and me onto a 2 1/2 ton vehicle, and moved to another area. Living in tents is quite a luxury for us -- much different from those mud-lined foxholes with fresh running rain.

     Don't think I've ever mentioned much about the bamboo tree; -- it has many uses. There is a great abundance of it -- and it grows only in thickets which are almost impossible to penetrate. (The Japanese, unfortunately, have a favorite habit of emplacing themselves in these terrible thickets. Perhaps you remember reading about Shoe-String Hill -- where the Japs gave us such hell; -- only we called it Bamboo Ridge. [see Chapter 49]

The bamboo pole is made up of water-tight compartments -- each between one and two feet in length. By breaking open all but the last compartment, the natives -- with a pole ten feet long, or so -- have a means of carrying their water. The poles are very light and strong -- and it makes an excellent mast for the sailboats. Then it's used for making beds, floors, cups, the frame for a "house" -- and it can be split open and used like boards. Almost forgot -- its most popular use in the states -- the fishing pole.

Much love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 93 - Franklin's Last Letter (January 27, 1946)

Letter of January 27

 1/27/46

Dear Mother & Dad,

     Have recently -- off and on -- been trying to make a large outboard engine operate as it's supposed to. Though it had only fallen into the ocean, it seems to be requiring considerable work.

     Some weeks ago, 3449 was deactivated and we were transferred to 3742. Actually, we've been assigned to that organization for the past couple months. At first -- due to lack of space -- we were set up in two large huts down and across the road from the company area. It was situated on the shore -- at high tide, my cot was only "inches" from the water.

     3742 was formerly a trailer outfit -- but we brought 30 of our 6x6's with us -- mine included. Then the mechanics built their own motor pool -- so you see, we're quite independent. As for our motor pool -- though we have no tire shop or parts department -- it's superior to 3742 in every way: -- no mud, better tools and equipment, elevated grease rack, and better mechanics.

     Don't write any more -- expect to be shipping to the states before long.

     On several occasions, I've driven the trailers. They're certainly tremendous, and I like them -- but not on this island.

     Just had a most unusual type of cold. It lasted 1 1/2 days -- and consisted only of constant sneezing and "blowing".

     Since moving, we've been working on the docks -- two shifts -- each nine hours.

Love,

Franklin

WW2 Chapter 94 - Return Home (and a Box of Candy)



Cover of candy box, hanging in cottage on Lake Quassapaug

On February 26, after two years and seven months of service, Franklin arrived back in San Francisco. Because it was his mother's birthday, he bought a wooden box of candy before flying home to Connecticut. On the back of the cover, she would write, "This picture is the cover of a box of candy that Franklin Jr. gave me for my birthday the day after he returned from overseas on Feb. 26, 1946."



Japanese machete

Along with the box of candy, he apparently also brought home a Japanese machete.

WW2 Chapter 95 - Franklin's Seventh Division Patches




Discharge Form (click to enlarge)

After returning home to Connecticut, Franklin reportedly burned his army uniform and rarely talked about any of his experiences again. Although he was awarded a Victory Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, an Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon, and a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with two Bronze Service Stars, he apparently disposed of those items as well.



Dress Uniform Patches and Infantrymen Pin

However, perhaps in honor of the men that he fought with, he kept his 7th Division patches and his Combat Infantrymen Pin.

WW2 Chapter 96 - The End

With Dave at Lake Elise



Lake Quassapaug, Summer of 1900

This is another print form glass plate taken on Lake Quassapaug.  View of shore line with boat house and engine house in background.  The boat house was built in July of 1900, which probably dates the negative to the summer of 1900.  Pictured are two women unidentified and sitting in/on the two boats.  Middle distance is an unidentified man at the tiller of a sail boat with raised sail.  Of the five boys pictured, all in bathing suits, the first is probably HHB who is holding the prow of the first boat (age 12?).  In back of him is probably CWB (age 10?) standing on the dock, in the middle distance is probably SRB (age 15?).  Of the other two boys, the one wearing a life jacket is BHB11, probably age 3, other boy age 4??  This is the best guess of my Uncle Howard (Howp) who documented all the wonderful pictures!  God Bless Him!!

Bristol Company Outing, Circa 1930

Can you identify the Bristols in this photo?  And where do you think the picture was taken?

Squirrel Lodge, Lake Quassapaug

 

 

The 3 pictures above are in response to Kate Wick's finding in her collection the glass plates for at least one of these. My pictures were left to me by my Uncle Howp and have descriptions on back of each as follows:
1.  WHB's electric launcher print from glass negative.
2.  WHB/HHB Lake Quassapaug property: 2 unidentified women sitting on porch, Rev. Richardson, holding fishing rod dangling fish in rt. hand, rod in left hand, Steven's Prof. of mechanical drawing, Franklin De R. Furman who designed sign "Squirrel Lodge." Print from glass negative.
3.  WHB/HHB "Squirrel Lodge" before sign was affixed.  People unidentified. Print from glass negative.

Papa's Racing Car from 1914 - Photo Contest!!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Papa. The photo is identified as "Franklin B. Bristol, Jr." and is dated October 31, 1914 when he was 13 years old. The photo was probably taken by one of his brothers. I am offering a framed 5x7 inch copy of this photo to the first person to guess where he got his wheels!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I am pleased to announce that Gin Allen was the first person to correctly guess that Papa got his wheels from his baby pram! Back in October 2013, I had posted a photo of him in his stroller from August 1901 when he was 5 months old. Papa was the youngest in the family and therefore he may have been the last one to use it for its intended purpose. Although there were some really good guesses from others, score one for Gin and the younger generation!

Franklin E. Bristol

In reference to Bob's comment asking about my Father's medals and type of plane he flew during WW11, I Have added the above two pictures.  My Father's obituary tells about his air medals and the picture below shows my Father pointing to the Memphis Bell which was on display at an Elmira New York air show several years before he passed.  We took him there to see it.  This is a B24 like the ones he flew during the war.

Franklin E. Bristol

My Father, Franklin E. Bristol, served in WWII as a navigator in the 490 Bomb Group which bombed among other things, the Ploisti Oil Fields in Romania.  These were strategic oil fields vital to maintaining the Nazi War Machine, so these particular missions were very important to the war effort.  The first picture above is taken at our local museum where I currently have a display of my Father's uniform and pictures along with a description of his service.  Please note the picture of my parents in above right corner and on the left of my Father alone.  I hesitated publishing this picture because they really disliked these pictures of themselves!! HA!

The picture in the doorway was taken at my Grandmother's House in Naugatuck Conn. upon his successful return after completing 50 missions. 

I think there is little known about the service of our family members.  Therefore I am pleased to post these items as I am very proud of them.

Early Photos of Phyllis Hampson Bristol

These early photos of my grandmother, Phyllis Hampson Bristol, were recently provided by her son David. Phyllis was the wife of Franklin II. The photo above is dated 1909 and was therefore taken when she was 6 years old. Because she was the only girl in the family she must have gotten all kinds of special attention!

The second photo looks like it was from a formal sitting when she was perhaps in her late teens, while the third photo is less formal and may have been taken when she was around 30 (?). Her clothing must have been quite fashionable at the time!

 

Formal Photos of Franklin II

 

These formal photos of my grandfather, Franklin II, were recently provided by his son David. The first one appears to have been taken when he was in his early 20s, while the second one may have been taken in his 30s (?). These were perhaps some rare instances when he wasn't seen smiling!

Photos of Nancy

  

Here are a couple early photos of Nancy, the daughter of Franklin II. The photo above was dated September 1946 and was taken when she was 20 years old. Papa probably developed this photo in his dark room at their home on South Street in Middlebury.
 
The photo below of Nancy and her future husband, Duncan Allen, was dated June 11, 1946. According to Nancy's brother, David, the photo was taken at Tufts University during my father's (Franklin III's) graduation.

Hampson Family Tree

These hand-written notes by Phillip Hampson show his "family tree on my mother's side." Phillip was the father of Franklin II's wife, Phyllis. Of note, this document indicates that the family was descended from Robert Stephenson, the brother of the famous George Stephenson who was the "inventor of the first locomotive in England." However, Virginia Allen, our family genealogist, has done a great deal of research on this connection and concludes that it was most likely a different Stephenson family. Gin sent me this photo of Phillip's mother, Sarah Ann Aucock, when she was about 38 years old.

Mary's Little Lamb

This is an interesting document I found amongst my family history items.  Please note reference at the end to My Friend Flicka!  I remember that series from my childhood even to this day!

Bristol Instruments

Bristol Manufacturing Booth Chicago World's Fair 1893

This of course predates Bob's wonderful pictures and documents showing the 1904 tragedy at the Bristol Co. RR Crossing.  We are both finding that our Fathers saved everything and it is amazing to put pictures to our knowledge of this history.

Probate Certificates, 1905

Howard's Probate Certificate

Carlton's Probate Certificate



Franklin II's Probate Certificate

 

These probate certificates are from July 1905 (click on images to enlarge). In June 1905, Uncle Will had assumed guardianship of three of Franklin I’s children after Franklin's death in November 1904. By that time, Howard was aged 17, Carlton was 14, and Franklin II was 4. The fourth brother, Sam, was aged 20 and therefore was not considered a minor. Although Uncle Will did not have any children of his own, this generous act probably brought the family closer together and must have fostered a great loyalty towards him.

 

Automobile Plate, 1904

This small brass plate has a sad story. The plate measures 1.5 x 3 inches and is stamped with the words “Licensed under Selden Patent No. 549,160, Patented November 5, 1895.” My grandfather (Franklin II) had written on the outside of the envelope: “plate acquired by employee of the Bristol Co. at time of my father’s death – when his car was struck by RR train at the Bristol Company plant in Platts Mills – early 1900.”  The “early 1900” may refer to the “early 1900s.” His father (Franklin I) was returning from the Bristol Company on Monday evening, November 21, 1904, when he was killed by a train. I have posted an obituary with more information on this incident under this separate entry. 

In doing some research, George Selden claimed to have invented the first commercial gasoline engine in 1895, although Henry Ford strongly disputed this claim. Nonetheless, several automobile manufacturers at that time took out licenses under Selden’s patent and mounted this plate near the engines of their cars.

Franklin I Obituary and Automobile, 1904

This is the obituary for Franklin I, who was born on July 14, 1860 and died tragically on Monday, November 21, 1904. I think most of us have heard pieces of this story over the years, but it must have been a real tragedy for the family at that time.

According to this information, he had driven back to his office at the Bristol Company to get the newspaper on a Monday evening after having dinner with his family at their home on Platts Mills Road. While returning home, he was struck by a passenger train heading southward from Waterbury.

The article notes that he was driving a Stevens Duryea, such as the one below. Interestingly, the Bristol family was reported to have nine automobiles in 1904, which seems quite remarkable during that time of the automobile’s infancy. Because the family was full of engineers and inventors, they must have been fascinated with this new technology.

The first addition of the “Interstate Automobile Register and Tourist Guide” (provided by David, Jr.) was published in 1905.   According to this information, there were only 2,084 registered automobiles and motorcycles in Connecticut at that time. The listing included seven vehicles for the Bristol family: Edgar H. Bristol, Oldsmobile and Rambler; Frank B. Bristol, Cadillac; B.H. Bristol, Knox; B.B. Bristol, Ford; F.B. Bristol, Stevens-Duryea; and William H. Bristol, Stevens-Duryea.

Original Bristol Company Building

Like many successful companies (i.e., Apple, Google, and HP) it turns out that the Bristol Company was started in a garage! Here is a photo of the original carriage barn near Platt’s Bridge in Waterbury where Uncle Will and his brother Franklin I started the business in 1889. Uncle Will was also a professor at Stevens Institute of Technology at that time, while Franklin was probably working at Platt's Mills.

On the back of the photo is written “F.B. Bristol’s barn in which the Bristol Company was started.” According to an article in the Waterbury American from August 1934 (which I will attach in a future posting), before they could begin work, they had to move the horses and carriages to one corner of the building and mortgage the house to finance the necessary tools and equipment.

Two of Franklin I’s sons, Sam and Howard, can be seen standing in front of the building. Sam would later become secretary while Howard would become president.

The business reportedly remained at this location until 1892, when it was moved to its more permanent location with access to the railroad and more room for expansion.

Photo of Franklin I and Family from 1902

 

This family photo is from around 1902. According to a card on the back of the frame in my father’s (Franklin III’s) handwriting, from left to right the people are: Howard (1886), Cora (1862), Franklin II (1901), Carlton (1891), and Franklin I (1860), and the photo was taken by Sam (1885).

 

I am always struck by how formal their clothing was back then, even for a picnic! Papa is wearing a dress which was apparently common for boys up to two years old.  A fifth brother (Harold) was born in 1886 but unfortunately died within his first year.

Elise Bristol

                                                                                                                     
This is a picture of William Henry Bristol and his wife Elise Meyers Bristol.  Was this their wedding day?  Note the flowers in her hand.

This is an early picture of Elise Myers Bristol. D: 1924

Franklin III as a Toddler

 

A very nice photo of Franklin III that has been hanging up in the cottage at Lake Quassapaug.

Nancy as a Toddler

Here are three professional photos of Nancy Bristol Allen as a toddler, framed in Bethlehem, PA. Aunt Nancy was photogenic right from the start!

Early Photos of Franklin II

Here are three photos that (I think) were of Papa when he was very young. The first one was dated "1903" while the second one was labeled "Franklin Benjamin Bristol, first of Aug. 1901" and the third one did not contain any information. Papa was born on March 10, 1901. He does not seem very happy about getting his picture taken!