Search This Blog

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Memorial Day/ I wish to honor a member of the WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots.



This person was a part of making U.S. history.  She was one of 1,830 women accepted as a pilot as part of the Army Air Force from September 1942 to December 1944.  Because of the demand for male combat pilots and warplanes left the Air Transport Command with a shortage of experienced pilots to ferry planes from factories to points of embarkation a program was approved that would train a large group of women to serve as ferry pilots. 
(Taken from the Woman's Collection, Blagg -Huey Library)

I don’t know what ‘Tommy’s personal experiences were while serving in the Women’s Army Airforce but I did find out that she was a Squadron Commander.  And that she “graduated with class 43-6 and was one of the only a few WASP selected to attend officers training in Orlando, Florida.  She was also stationed at Love Field, Dallas Texas with the Ferry Command.”  (Taken from a personal letter to me by an employer of The Woman’s Collection TWU Blagg-Huey Library)

Just a few facts I found very interesting.  Of the 1,074 that graduated 38 died while in the WASP program.  60,000,000 miles flown.
WASP earned $150 per month while in training, and $250 per month after graduation.  They paid for their own uniforms, lodging, and personal travel to and from home.  

Important quote:
You and more than 900 of your sisters have shown that you can fly wingtip to wingtip with your brothers. If ever there was a doubt in anyone’s mind that women can become skillful pilots, the WASPs have dispelled that doubt.”

- Gen. Hap Arnold, AAF, in a speech to the last class of WASPs, before the program was disbanded in December 1944.

Evelyn's maiden name is Burdette.  She was the second wife of my grandfather George Wherrett Tomlinson.  I do not have the exact marriage date/about 1936/37.  She didn't live with Grandfather long and never divorced him.  He died in 1959. Tommy died in 1973.  More will be told about their lives at a later date. 

She did a service for our country contributing to our freedoms we have today. She should be remembered for her good deeds.   Thank You Tommy. 








Sunday, May 15, 2016

ALICE/ The last of the Hepworths

 This picture of was found on Ancestry.com posted from someone identified as 'gigistill'.  I am very grateful that this person is so willing to share pictures by having an  'open tree' on Ancestry opposed to a Private Tree.  However, I have found some information errors.  It was posted as 1937; Alice died in 1935.  I did some research on the car and what I came up with is it's a 1925 Model T Ford.  Am I right?  The driver was identified as Harry their oldest son and the passenger Clifford but, Robert would have been 25 years old.  I think the driver is the second son Clifford Frank, he would be about eighteen and the passenger next to him is the youngest son Robert Malcom who would be about seven years old.  In the back is Frank and Alice. Really a cool picture.  I wonder if the house in the background is their own home? I would guess 'Yes.'  Frank was a Construction Engineer and did very well to provide for his family.

In the Salt Lake Telegram,1935-05-01 Deaths 
Alice Hepworth Bletzacker
Mrs. Alice Hepworth Bletzacker, 63 died at the family home, 1409 Thirteenth East Street.  Tuesday at 8:12 p.m., following a lingering illness. 
She was born April 9, 1872, in Salt Lake City, and. with the exception of a five-year residence in Mexico and another five years in Los Angeles, had resided here all her life.  Her parents were Thomas and Mary Hepworth. 
Besides her husband she is survived by three sons, Harry, Clifford F. and Robert M. Bletzacker, all of Salt Lake City and one grandchild. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. 
________________________

This has been a long time in between continued posts and it's not going to get any better with summer coming and a long list of 'TO DO' things to get done at home.  I do appreciate everyone who LOOKS in for the latest news on an Ancestor.  I will do my best to post something at least every two weeks.
I've taken on painting the stucco of our townhouse and believe me  it's something I can't do in a couple of days and I blame my advancing age for that realizing I have to pace myself and it's a SLOW pace.   Also, I'm trying to learn a new digital scrapbooking program another thing that doesn't come easy for me to learn quickly and do a good job.   The first 'book' project is about the life of Earl's parents.  Earl and I will be doing a bit of traveling and I am looking forward to get away for a time or two.   Thanks to everyone for stopping by.
Renee