World War II

The “jungles of Africa” during World War II.

Technical Sergeant Herman O. Marshall spent two years at a station hospital in West Africa, probably in Sierra Leone or Liberia, during World War II.

Wilson Daily Times, 1 February 1944.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Hines Street, auto mechanic John Marshall, 32; wife Annie, 32; and children Glascoe, 12, Louise, 6, Bessie, 3, and Herman, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 507 Hines Street, widow Annie Marshall, 42, cook; and children Louise, 16, Bessie M., 13, Herman, 11, Margrette, 9, and Gretchen G., 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: cook Louise Marshall, 25, and her brother Herman, 20, at 702 East Nash Street.

Herman Oliver Marshall died 11 September 2005 in Washington, D.C.

Soldier convicted for diverting American supplies to French black market.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 December 1944.

A Turner Harris registered for the World War II draft in Union County, Pennsylvania, in May 1945, and his registration card was sent to a local draft board in Washington, D.C. Harris was born 8 September 1923 in Rocky Mountain [sic; Mount], North Carolina; lived at 67 N Street N.W., Washington; and his contact was mother Maggie Whitehead. However, if this is the man the Times speculated about when “it was learned later,” the paper seems to have placed blame on the wrong Turner Harris. The Turner Harris whose family moved to Washington, D.C., did not register for the draft until five months after Harris the black marketeer was convicted and sentenced to 30 years.

However, records of United States Army Enlistments, found online at Ancestry.com, show that a Turner Harris, born in 1922, resident of Wilson, N.C., enlisted at Fort Bragg, N.C., on 3 June 1941. I have found no other details of his service.

Sgt. Ernest Barnes is stationed in Germany.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 June 1945.

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In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on Elm City Road, Mahaly Barnes, 51, and children Benessia, 19, Elizabeth, 18, Jason, 17, Lizzie, 18, David, 16, Mattie, 15, and Ernest, 8.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Mahaley Barnes, 61; sone Earnest, 17, tobacco factory laborer; and Jason Smith, 24, tobacco factory laborer.

On 14 September 1939, Ernest Barnes, 27, of Wilson, son of Joe and Mahalia Barnes, married Lucile Stewart, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Noah and Mary Stewart, in Wilson. Elder Marshall Cooper, Baptist minister, performed the ceremony in the presence of James Aycock, Eddie Ricks, and Junius Best.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1321 East Nash, Ernest Barnes, 28, cook; wife Lucile, 28, cook; mother Mahaley, 73; sister Bernice Hines, 35, tobacco factory stemmer; and her children William, 16, Ossie May, 14, James Cleo, 12, Lester, 11, Paul D., 7, Bernice, 5, and John Eddy Hines, 3.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1321 East Nash, Mahalia Barnes, 84; Ernest Barnes, 38, cook; Lucille Barnes, 38, cook; and granddaughter Occie M. Hines, 24, “never worked.”

Earnest Barnes died 19 March 1968 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Durham, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 24 January 1912 in Wilson County to Joe Barnes and Mahalia Barron; and worked as a “domestic (cooking).” Informant was Lucille Barnes.

Lucille Barnes applied for a military headstone for her husband on 25 March 1968. The application noted that he was ranked Staff Sergeant and had served in World War II in the 242nd Quartermaster Truck Company.

 

Pfc. C.H. Lucas receives letter of recommendation.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 September 1945.

  • C.H. Lucas — Charles H. Lucas.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Jones Street, South Carolina-born drayman Henry Lucas, 35; wife Mamie, 35; and children James, 16, Leroy, 14, Milton, 12, Lucille, 10, Alma, 5, Margret, 6, and Charles, 2.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Henry Lucas, 56; wife Mary, 55; and children Lucille Lucas, 28, Alma Thompson, 24, Margaret Wright, 23, (and her daughter) El L. Wright, 2, [Alma’s daughter] Jacqueline Thompson, 3, Charles Lucas, 22, and Amelia Lucas, 20.

Charles Henry Lucas registered for the World War II draft in Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina. Per his registration card, he was born 11 July 1918 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 1018 North Queen Street, Kinston; his contact was mother Mamie Battle Lucas, 914 East Queen Street, Wilson; and he worked for H.C. Hines, Kinston.

In 1950, Charles Henry Lucas applied for World War II compensation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his application, he was born 18 July 1917 in Wilson; lived at 4020 Spring Garden, Philadelphia; entered military service on 8 June 1944 and remained on active duty. His beneficiary was Margaret Lucas Wright, 4020 Spring Valley.

Charles H. Black died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 24 October 1974.

Canvassers for war bond drive.

The list of “Negro canvassers” for a September 1942 war bond drive is a who’s who of East Wilson business, civic, and social leaders, including the whole of the Men’s Civic Club.

Wilson Daily Times, 8 September 1942.

C.J. Parker commissioned as lieutenant.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 November 1943.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 East Green Street, laborer Jessie R. Parker, 31; wife Minnie, 29; and sons Jesse R., 3, and Charles J., 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1110 Washington Street, owned and valued at $2500, Jessie Parker, 39; Minnie Parker, 41, cook; and children Jessie Jr., 13; Charley G., 11; Gertrude, 9; Walter, 7; Jasper, 5, and Minnie L., 3; and lodger Nathan Harriss, 14,

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1110 Washington Street, widow Minnie Parker, 51, cook, and children Gertrude, 18, beauty parlor operator, Joseph, 15, Minnie, 13, Louise, 9, David, 7, and Charles, 21, CCC.

Charles James Parker registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 27 January 1919 in Wilson; lived at 1110 Washington Street; his contact was mother Minnie Daniel Parker, same address; and he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, Company 410, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: in the household of Wilbert and Betty  Spencer, Charles J. Parker, 30, nephew, born in N.C., claims clerk, U.S. Veterans Administration.