United States Army

The death of T/5 Thomas Jones, Jr.

Wilson Daily Times, 5 March 1945.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Tom Jones, 54, laborer, born in Ohio; wife Jannie, 39, born in Georgia; children Luburta, 22, Winsor, 18, Willie, 16, Oscar, 14, Annie, 11, Tom Jr., 5, and Acy B., 1; and grandson James Moore, 6.

In 1942, Thomas Jones Jr. registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 25 December 1923 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at Baily Road, Dorchester, Massachusetts, then 215 Pine Street, Cambridge, Mass., then 426 Pine Street, Cambridge, then care of John S. Isaacs, Ellendale, Delaware; his contact was Henrietta Whitlock, 211 Pine Street, Cambridge; and he worked for E.T. Webb, Janesville, Virginia.

On 16 October 1950, H.M. Fitts applied for a military headstone for Thomas Jones Jr. Per the application, Jones’ rank was Technician 5 and he served in the 810th Amphibious Truck Company. He was born 25 December 1923 and died 5 March 1944 and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.

The obituary of Pfc. Alleyne R. Foster.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 March 1945.

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In the 1940 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County, N.C.: laundress Mary M. Foster, 62, and children Edward P., 30, filling station attendant, Annie L., 23, life insurance cashier, and Alleyne R., 18, drugstore soda jerker. [To read about Richard A.G. Foster, see here and here, among other posts.]

In 1942, Alleyne Russell Foster registered for the World War II draft in New Haven, Connecticut. Per his registration card, Foster was born 12 July 1921 in Morehead City, N.C.; lived at 11 Charles Street, New Haven, Connecticut; his contact was the Methodist parsonage; and he worked for Majestic Laundry, corner of Ashmun and Lock Streets.

On 22 December 1943, Alleyne R. Foster, 22, of Chanute Field, Illinois, son of Walter S. and Mary Maude Foster, married Clyde Joan Dickerson, 22, of Wilson, daughter of Fred and Almeter Dickerson. C.L. Darden applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister W.A. Hilliard performed the ceremony in Wilson.

MSgt. Walter Battle receives commendation.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 March 1945.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 609 East Green Street, William Battle, 43; wife Nora, 30; and children Ester, 12, Jessie, 9, William Jr., 7, Aurtha L., 4, and Walter E., 1; and roomers William, 57, widower, and Mary Christmas, 24.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at the rear of the household of Will A. and Mamie Lucas, Walter Battle, 20, private cook.

In 1940, Walter Ervin Battle registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 14 July 1919 in Wilson; lived at 1407 West Nash Road, Wilson; his contact was mother Nora Battle, 608 East Green Street; and he worked for W.A. Lucas, 1407 West Nash Road.

Walter E. Battle died 25 October 1962 at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 July 1919 in Wilson to William Battle and Nora Williams; lived at 1407 West Nash Street, Wilson; had never married; and worked as a restaurant cook.

Battle’s brother Arthur Lee Battle applied for a military headstone for his grave in Rest Haven Cemetery.

Walter I. Battle (1919-1962).

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user PHILLYEVANS44.

Pfc. Elmer Sherrod earns diploma in Army.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 March 1949.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Harpers Road, farmer Soloman Sheard, 50; wife Josephine, 42; and children Javis, 20, Doretta, 18, Linton O., 16, Minnie B., 13, Solomon, 11, Flora, 3, Bulah, 3, and Elmore, 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 802 Viola Street, Solomon Shearard, 60; wife Josephine, 52; and children Flora, 15, Beulah, 13, Elmer, 11, and Solomon, 21; plus “son’s wife” Mildred, 18, and grandson Ernest E., 8 months.

Elmer Sherrod registered for the draft in 1947:

Photograph courtesy of C. Paulin.

Pvt. Robert E. Ashford is killed in action in France.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 January 1945.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Rosa Ashford, 38, cook; children Granader, 19, William, 12, Catherine, 9, Robert E., 6, and Mina L., 3; and roomer William Perry, 65, widower, odd jobs laborer.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 523 Church Street, widow Rosa Ashford, 53, tobacco factory laborer, and children William, 22, Robert, 17, and Mynie L., 13. [Two other families shared the house.]

In 1940, William Ashford registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 12 January 1918 in Wilson; lived at 523 Church Street; his contact was mother Rosa Ashford; and he worked for George Currier.

Robert Edward Ashford registered for the World War II draft in 1942 in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 23 July 1923 in Wilson; lived at 614 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Rosa Ashford; and he worked at the Marine Base in Jacksonville, N.C.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 614 Green Street, Rosa L. Ashford, 62, and daughter Mymia Lovett, 22.

Pfc. Cannon re-enlists.

Wilson Daily Times, 3 January 1948.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: taxicab driver James Cannon, 34; wife Deborah, 25; and children Dorthy, 10, James Jr., 9, Beatrice, 6, William H., 3, and Willie W., 2.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 701 Viola, transfer operator James Canon, 45; wife Sadie D., 33; children Mahazel, 16, Blondie B., 14, William H., 12, Walter W., 11, Charlie T., 8, Joan, 6, and Clara, 3; and grandson Marshall, 1.

In 1945, William Henry Cannon registered for the World War II draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 3 June 1927 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 2225 West Stewart Street, Philadelphia; his contact was friend Mrs. Annie Hunt, same address; and he worked for contractor James C. Morrisey.