World War II

Corporal Hubert Ellis, stationed at Camp Claiborne, Alabama.

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In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg, Wilson County: Oscar Ellis, 39; wife Mamie, 39; and children Oscar Jr., 16, William, 14, Estelle, 12, Ejay, 11, Colen, 10, James, 9, Bessie M., 8, Hubert L., 6, Leroy, 2, and Dorothy, 1 month.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1113 [East Nash], Oscar Ellis, 50, W.P.A. project laborer; wife Mamie, 49; children Henry, 23, public service laborer, Estell, 22, private housekeeper, A.J.A., 21, cafe waiter, Charles, 20, Moore’s Drug deliveryman, James, 18, Bessie, 17, Hubert, 15, Leroy, 13, Fred, 8, Mamie, 10, and Clarence, 5; and adopted children Annie, 15, and Rosco Jones, 13.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.

Private First Class Cornelius Braswell, stationed in England.

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In the 1930 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: George Braswell, 41; wife Lizzie, 35; and children Cornelius, 15, James, 13, Eloise, 10, Arthur, 8, Rena, 5, Ollin, 3, and Walter, 1.

In 1941, Cornelius Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 May 1914 in Wayne County, N.C.; lived on Route 3, Wilson; his contact was mother Lizzie Braswell; and he was a “prisoner until Feb. 20, 1941” at Prison Camp 406, Wilson.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.

Pvt. I.D. Bostick, serving in France.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 May 1945.

In 1942, Ide Bostick registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 2 August 1922 in Wilson; he resided at 530 Stemmery Street; his mailing address was 609 North 7th Street, Wilmington, N.C.; his contact was Isabell Bostick, 530 Stemmery; and he worked for N.C. Shipbuilding Company, Wilmington.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.

Pvt. Roosevelt Batts recovers in the South Pacific.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 May 1945.

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In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Amos Batts, 29; wife Elizabeth, 29; and children Arlettie, 10, James, 8, Roosevelt, 7, and Amos Lee, 5.

In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: widow Elizabeth Batts, 42, farmer, and sons James H., 19, Rosevelt, 16, and Leander, 12. [Amos Leander Batts died while in service.]

Roosevelt Batts registered for the draft in 1940.

In the 1950 census of New York, New York County, New York: Roosevelt Batts, 25, and wife Hattie Margaret, 25, secretary, roomers in 331 Quincy Street.

Roosevelt Batts died 17 September 1986 and was buried in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, New York.

Cpl. James Holden, also known as Harris, recuperates in England.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 July 1944.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Manchester Street, widow Mamie Holden, 31, tobacco factory worker, and children Daisy, 8, and James, 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Mamie Holton, 51; son James Harris, 24; and nieces and nephews Daisy Mitchell, 27, and her children Gerlean, 4, Mamie, 9, Willie Jr., 12, and Thelma, 7.

In 1940, James Harris registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 June 1918 in Wilson; lived at 622 Suggs Heights, Wilson; his contact was mother Mamie Holden, same address; and he worked for Liggett & Meyers Tobacco Company.

Private First Class Clarence Jones, in the Sicilian theatre.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 513 N & S Street, owned and valued at $1000, cook Olivia Simmons, 59; daughter Estella Jones, 29, laundress; her children Olivia, 11, and Clarence Jones, 9; relative Rosa Simmons, 25, tobacco factory laborer; and daughter Reta Simmons, 15.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 513 Norfolk Street, cook Olivia Simmons, 72; daughter Estelle Jones, 45, laundress; her children Olivia, 22, and Clarence Jones, 20, both retrying factory laborers; and grandson Severentty McMillion, 9.

In 1940, Clarence Jones registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 November 1918 in Wilson; lived at 513 Norfolk Street, Wilson; his mother was Estella Jones; and he worked for Export Tobacco Company, Mercer Street, Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 513 Norfolk Street, Olivia Summers [sic], 84; daughters Estella Jones, 58, and Rosa Summers, 56; grandchildren Olivia, 32, and Clarence Jones, 31; and great-grandson Bobby Jones, 9.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.

Charles Gay Jr. returns from overseas duty.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 July 1944.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charlie Gay, 28, wife Ella, 28, and Charlie, 18 months.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charley Gay, 39, ice house laborer; wife Ella, 30; and sons Charlie Jr., 11, and Edgar, 7.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Chas. B. Gay, 52, hotel janitor, wife Ella J., 48, laundress, and children Chas. Jr., 21, bellboy, and Ednor R., 17.

In 1940, Charles Benjamin Gay Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 June 1908 in Wilson; lived at 623 East Green Street; his contact was Charles Benjamin Gay Sr., 807 East Viola Street; and he worked for W.T. Clark Tobacco Company.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lucy Sherood, 58, hotel maid; lodger Charlie Gay, 78; and lodger’s son Charlie Gay Jr., 42, hotel hall boy.

Charles Benjamin Gay Jr. died 29 December 1974 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 June 1908 to Charles B. Gay Jr. and Ella Tate; lived at 623 East Green Street; was a widower; and worked as a bellhop at Cherry Hotel.

Private Jasper L. Smith, stationed at Camp Shanks.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Charlie Smith, 28; wife Carry, 22; and children Ruth, 4, Millie, 3, and Jasper, 11 months.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Charlie Smith, 43; wife Carrie, 31; and children Ruth, 14, Midred, 13, Jasper, 11, Jessie G., 9, Virginia, 8, May E., 6, Willie J., 3, and William H., 2.

In 1940, Jasper Lee Smith registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 22 April 1918 in Wilson County; lived at Route 1, Wilson; his contact was mother Carrie Smith; and he worked for J.A. Watson.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.

T/5 Gradis Hines, in England.

In the 1940 census of Woodington township, Lenoir County, N.C.: farmer Joe Hines, 39, farmer; wife Leona, 31; and children Gradis, 18, Bernice, 17, Joseph, 14, Edward, 13, Leora, 4, Jasper, 3, and an infant, 4 months. The family had lived in Wilson in 1935.

In 1945, Gradis Hines registered again for the draft. He reported that he was born 15 September 1920 in Wilson; lived at 812 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was his father Joe Hines at the same address; and he was “just discharged from Army.”

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.