1950 US Census: Washington, Stevens County - Frank P Smith Family

                                                     

Washington State

Stevens County                                         

Enumerator: Clarice Claflin April 8, 1950

Enumeration District 33-17                                   

Endorsed by: Hazel B Kulzer May 3, 1950

Smith, Frank P  Head W M 52 Illinois Unemployed

Smith, Viola D  Wife W F 51 Minnesota Elementary teacher Public School

Smith, Don F    Son W M 20 Washington  Tram Operator Quarry Magnesite Production

Smith, J, Douglas Son W M 15 Unemployed

ED: 33-17: Census Division 6 - That part Bounded by Miller Rd., Cottonwood Creek, township line between Townships 31 and 32 North, Ranges 41 and 42 East; County line; County line, Dragon Rd., Cottonwood Rd., U.S. Hwy. 395, range line between Ranges 40 and 41 East, Townships 29 and 30 North, South line of sections 12 and 11, Township 29 North, Range 40 East; State Hwy. 3J, Springdale town limits, U.S. Hwy. 395

Funeral Card Friday - William "Bill" Wickenkamp

 

My Grandpa Bill

Those Places Thursday - Pacific House, California

 

Pacific House, Pacific, California. Located along Highway 50 in El Dorado County, on the historic overland stage route over the Sierras. Pacific House has served the traveler since 1850.

My mother, who grew up in Lincoln, California from 1941-1951, used to vacation here.

 

Flo and Bill Wickenkamp c1946 (My grandparents)

 

My mother, Jerry Lynn, behind the rock, Bill and Flo with family friend

Flo and Bill along with Jerry Lynn and friends

Flo and Jerry Lynn sitting on the rock

Bill, Flo and Jerry Lynn  Wickenkamp along with Patty Eagan and  Emile and Gwen Sturmthal

at Pacific House.

Finding Martha Smith - A Case Study and Connecting the Dots

Finding Martha Smith – A Case Study

My 2x great grandfather, Francis Marion Smith, had 3 sisters: Martha, Dorcas and Hannah. The only piece of documentation I had was the 1850 US Federal Census in Pine Twp., Warren county, Indiana. Dated 11 September 1850.

According to the 1850 Census, Martha was 12 years old. I do the math and find she was born abt 1838. Francis Marion was not on this census because he was not born until 1 Sept 1853 in Rainsville, Warren, Indiana.

The next logical thing to look at would be the 1860 US Federal Census for Joseph Smith.

29 July 1860 is the census date.

I see Jossph Smth age 44 and Ferry man (do they mean farrier another term for blacksmith?)

WAIT! What happened to Mary? His wife. I guess may be died and he remarried a woman with 2 children. There is Hannah 10 years older and a small child named Mary. I figured Martha would not be there as she would be 22 years old. WAIT! Where is Francis? He would have been 6 years old. He is not with his father?

So now I look for a Francis or Frank Smith age 6 in 1860. I did find something interesting. A census in Springfield, Sangamon, IL dated 19 July 1860.

Here I find a Martha age 22 born in Indiana and there is a Francis Smith age 6. I never heard that Martha was married, remember I knew nothing about her. This is where is gets interesting. I think it is time to look up Robert Whist, Machinist born in Germany.

 

In Logan, Fountain, Indiana 1850 Census dated 30 September 1850 I do find a Robert Whist.

Here I do find a Robert Whist who was a machinist from Germany. Fountain and Warren counties are not very big and they are close in proximity. It is another clue.

I knew Francis (Frank) was living with his other sister Dorcas in Indiana in 1870. The next clue I found when I really looked at the 1900 US Census dated 6 June 1900, Frank was living in Stockland, Iroquois, IL with his then 3^rd wife Minnie and I see there is a sister, Martha in the household and it says wd. I do believe that is short for widowed.

Ok, now I am feeling confident that Martha Smith did marry. I will see if there is a marriage record.

I find a marriage registration for Robert Whist and Martha Smith dated 30 September 1857 in Fountain county, Indiana. I feel confident that this is my Martha Smith, but I do need more proof.

I was able to find a death date for Martha Whist in the Illinois, Deaths and Stillbirths, Index, 1916-1947. Martha Whist born 23 Sept 1838 in Indiana died 28 Sept 1916 and buried in the Greenwood Cemetery. The parents were Joseph Smith and Rebecca Best. Wait, mother was Mary Ann Best. I was able to get a copy of the death certificate film # 1530824 which was digitized at Family Search. The informant was one of her sons, he probably didn’t know her mother’s name. I filed this information away in my folder.

Recently, I went on Ancestry to further pursue Martha and I found on Find A Grave the headstone for Martha and Robert Whist and a transcription of her obituary.

"Mrs. Martha Whist, widow of Robert Whist, died at 8 oclock Monday evening at her home, 1044 N. Morgan street, following a stroke of paralysis. She was seventy eight years old last Saturday. She had lived in Decatur for a long time and had many friends.
Mrs.Whist was born at Ranesville, Ind, Sept, 23, 1838. She was a member of Grace Methodist church and also of the Womans Relief Corps.
She is survived by two sons, C. F. Whist of Decatur and R. F. Whist of Mattoon. She also leaves a brother, Frank Smith of Washington and a sister, Mrs. Pindie Gates of Peru, Ind.
The funeral will be held at 3 oclock Thursday afternoon at Grace Methodist church. The interment will be in Greenwood."

(from the Daily Review Newspaper in Decatur, Illinois)

The obituary says she leaves a brother, Frank Smith of Washington. Yes, Frank Smith and his wife Minnie did move to Washington. They lived in Colfax to be exact. The last proof is this next piece from the Journal Gazette in Mattoon, IL. November 26, 1913.

I rest my case. This is Martha Smith daughter of Joseph and Mary Smith and sister to Francis Marion Smith.

I connect the dots with a sister, Mrs. Pindie Gates of Peru, Indiana.

Obituary Sunday - Peter Peroe "Champ Knitter Passes"

Peter Peroe was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1860 and learned the trade of baker.  In 1884 he and two friends came west. Mr. Peroe left his friends in St. Paul, MN and he went on to Billings, MT to work for the Yegen Brothers Bakery.  He later established his own bakery on Montana Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets.  After a fire destroyed the block, Mr. Peroe opened a confectionery at 2603 Montana Avenue.

He was acquainted with such characters as Calamity Jane, Crow Davis, Livercating Johnson, and J. I. Allen, a well known trader in the Columbus region at the time, who purchased his tobacco from Mr. Peroe.

In 1893, he married Emilie Elizabeth Steingruber at Hebron, ND. (Emilie's sister Anna Sybilla is my great grandmother). The couple had a son, Robert George (1894) and a daughter, Jennie (1902).

He retired from business in 1914 and leaned to knit was acclaimed the champion knitter in the area during the first world war.

Mr. Peroe was President of the Billings Opera House prior to its incorporation  with the Babcock Opera House and  also a member of the old Maverick Hose Company. He also served as a juror on many juries.

 He died at home on May 17, 1944 of a kidney ailment. He had been ill for three years.

Tombstone Tuesday - Zimri Hobson

Sugar Creek Chapel Cemetery Stockland, Iroquois, Illinois

"Zimri Hobson died at his family residence on Grant Avenue, Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, of Bright's disease.  The deceased was the son of Andrew and Ruthea Hobson and was born in Highland County, Ohio, January 27, 1820.  The family left Ohio in 1827 and settled in Warren County, Indiana and afterwards moved to Iowa where his parents died.  Mr. Hobson was married in Indiana, March 21, 1841, to Mary A Waymire, and settled in iroquois County, Stockland township, unitl the fall of 1876, when he moved to Milford.  He was an honest man, one who had the confidence and respect of all who knew him.  he united with the Methodist church in 1844 and received a license to preach in 1865.  He has filled several township offices acceptably and has been assessor for the past 12 years."

(Watseka Republican, Wednesday, September 18, 1889--Excerpt from Milford Herald)

Zimri Hobson was my 3x great grandfather and is the father of Mary A Hobson, who married Francis Marion Smith. 

On This Day - January 23, 1862

On This Day....January 23,1862, my 2x great grandparents, Lars O. Olstad and Margaret (Margith) Gunderson were married in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

Lars, born in Ringsaker, Hedmark, Norway, immigrated with his parents, Ole Haagensen and Anna Hansdatter, and sister, Helene in 1850.

Margaret, born in Bo, Telemark, Norway, immigrated about 1853 with her mother, Gunild, brothers, Sigurd and Ole, a sister, Anna and a half brother, Andreas (Andrew) Gulbrandson Margaret's farther died 1847. 

Lars and Margaret settled on the farm in Holmen, Wisconsin. In the Long Coulee area and raised two sons, Olaus and George and two daughters, Ovidia and Anbertina. Anbertina is my great grandmother an mother of Edith Viola Dahl, my grandmother.

Funeral Card Friday - Florence Bassett

IN MEMORY OF

FLORENCE S. BASSETT

DATE OF BIRTH

April 4, 1907  Billings, Montana

DATE OF DEATH

November 20, 1986  Spokane, Washington

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday, November 22, 1986  2:00 p.m.

United Church of Christ

Chewelah, Washington

OFFICIATING

Reverend Peter Shober

MUSIC

Soloist: Will Rowe  Organist: Jean Merrill

CASKET BEARERS

Vern Claflin     Robert Breza

Leroy Potter   Charles Singer

Max Hollinberger   Sherman Edwards

HONORARY BEARERS

Phillip Skok    Sid Kulzer

Howard Hollinberger   Rolland Millay

INTERMENT

Chewelah Memorial Park

Chewelah, Washington

Military Monday - Regulations For Chauffeurs (Frank P Smith) World War I

Headquaters S  O.  S.

REGULATIONS

FOR

CHAUFFEURS

1.  Drivers are responsible for careful driving and compliance with the traffic rules herein prescribed.  They will prevent all men from riding on the fenders, running-boards and tops of their trucks.

2. the maximum speed of motor vehicles is prescribed as follows:

      

     In cities and villages:

Trucks of one tone or more        8 miles per hour

Other trucks...............................10          --

Automobiles and motorcyles     15         --

The driver's accident report will be made out on the spot and submitted immediately upon return to the garage.  Drives who fail to make this report will be brought to trial by Court-Martial.

   By Command of General Kerman :

                                               JOHNSON HAGOOD

                                                 Chief of Staff

Official :

L. H.  BASH

Adjutant General

F. P. Smith A. E. F.  Motor# 6186190

Obituary Sunday - Florence Bassett

FLORENCE BASSETT

FLORENCE S. BASSETT, 79, died Thursday, November 20, 1986 at Spokane, Washington.  She was born April 4, 1907 at Billings, Montana.  Florence married her first husband, William Wickenkamp June, 1930.  He preceded her in death December, 1970.  She married her second husband, William Bassett in Chewelah on January 5, 1974.  He preceded her ind death March, 1979.

Mrs. Bassett came to Valley, Washington in 1951 and began to work in sales in retail stores and was manager of retail sales for L.G.A. dry goods department.  She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Chewelah, Washington.

Survivors include one daughter: Jerry Lynn Smith, Novato, California, one foster daughter, Patricia Guthmiller, Kent, WA., two grandaughters, and one brother, Charles Koch of Valley, WA.

(November 26, 1986 - Chewelah Independent Page 11)

On This Day - December 16, 1861

On This Day....

One hundred and fifty-fours years ago, my Great grandmother, Elisabeth Drollner, was born. 

Here is an article that appeared in the Casper Tribune Herald in 1953 when she celebrated her 93rd birthday.

MRS. ANDREAS WICKENKAMP CELBRATES 93RD BIRTHDAY

Like the little old lady who had so many children she didn't know what to do Mrs. Andreas Wickenkamp has so many grand children and great-grandchildren that she can't keep track of them.  Mrs. Wickenkamp who celebrated her 93rd birthday anniversary at her home at 703 South Washington, was born in Soest, Germany, and came to the United States in 1883.  She has lived in Casper since 1922.

She is shown with a wedding wreath which she wore at her wedding Sept. 30, 1880.  The wreath which is framed was the only thing which the little family of three saved during their six weeks trip on the Atlantic Ocean.  During a storm a sea family had to throw all of their possessions overboard to keep the ship from sinking.

Mr. Wickenkamp who died 10 years ago was 89 when he passed away.  Mrs. Wickenkamp is the mother of eight children.  Two of them, Mrs. Alma West and Henry Wickenkamp are Casper residents. Mrs. Wickenkamp has 18 grandchildren and about 18 great grandchildren.

The little lady said in very good English that she felt fine and didn't feel any older despite he 93 years.  She pointed out German words on the wreath frame: "Jesus Christus gestern ahd hente and derselbe in Alle Ewigkeit- Amen."  She said they meant "Jesus Christ yesterday and today and the same in all eternity - Amen."

Mrs. Wickenkamp makes her home with her son, Henry, and likes it.

Elisabeth Drollner was born December 16, 1861 in Rollingsen, Westfalia, Germany to Franz Drollner and  Elisabeth Theimann. She married Georg Heinrich Andreas "Andrew" Wickenkamp on October 30, 1880 in Ostonnen, Westfalia, Germany. She died on February  9, 1956 in Casper, Wyoming. As stated above, she had 8 children. My grandfather William George Wickenkamp was the seventh child. My mother, Jerry Lynn, was one of the 18 grandchildren, was quite young when she saw her grandmother in Casper. She told me that grandma used to call her "My Yerry". 

Thriller Thursday: Knocked To The Floor By Sharp Thunder Clap

8 June 1909
Anaconda Standard (Anaconda, MT)
Tue., Page 1

KNOCKED TO THE FLOOR BY SHARP THUNDER CLAP

   Billings, June 7. -- While engaged in setting the table for the noon meal, Miss June Gardner, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles I. Gardner of 410 North Twenty-fifth street, was knocked to the floor by the shock of a sharp clap of thunder and remained in an unconscious condition for about 20 minutes.

   Several other persons in that part of the city are said to have been more or less affected by the shock.

Thriller Thursday: Attempt Made To Kill A Citizen Of Billings

The Anaconda Standard (Anaconda, MT)
5 December 1906, Wed., Page 1

ATTEMPT MADE TO KILL A CITIZEN OF BILLINGS

Special Dispatch to the Standard

  Billings, Dec. 4. -- An attempt was made to take the life of Charles I. Gardner. a well-known citizen of this city, last night.  Mr. Gardner had just entered his home in East Billings when the report of a revolver rang out on the stillness of night and a bullet whistled close to Gardner's head.  As near as could be told the person who fired was in the cellar under the house, the door of which cellar opens on the porch on which Gardner was standing.  Investigation was made by officers who were telephoned for, but no one could be found.  The person had escaped from the cellar, presumably by means of a passage leading out on the opposite side of the house.

Amanuensis Monday - Andrew Hobson Last Will and Testament

Recently I was searching the U.S. Will and Probate records on Ancestry.com and I was excited to find a  Will for my 4x great grandfather, Andrew Hobson, died 10 February 1874 in Henry county, Iowa.

In the name of God Amen, I Andrew Hobson of the township of Danville. In the County of Desmoines and State of Iowa being of advanced age and feeble in health, being of sound mind, do make and publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner following that is to day.

first.. Subject to all my just debts, I give and bequeth to my son John C. Hobson, one dollar,          to my son Zimri Hobson, one dollor, to my son George M. Hobson, one dollar, to the              heirs of my son James R. Hobson I leave one dollar, to my daughter Belinda Melcher,          one dollar, to my son Nathaniel W. Hobson, one dollar to be paid within twelve months          after my decease.

second.. I give and devise all the balance of my Estate Real and personal of which I                           shall du seize to my wife Sarah C. Hobson. to be used and enjoyed by her during                 the  time of her natural life.  And from and 

immediately.. after her decease, I give and devise the same to my son Barnabas Elmore                     Hobson his heirs and afsigns for for ever.

                                                                            In Witness

              where of I have here unto set my hand this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and Sixty eight.

                                                                           Andrew Hobson

          The above instrument as signed at the date thereof, signed and declared by the said Andrew Hobson as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request and in his presence have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.

                                                                        Thomas (can't decipher last name) residing in Baltimore township Henry county, Iowa
                                                                         Emerson Arnold residing in Baltimore township Henry county, Iowa

On This Day - August 31, 1893

On This Day, August 31, 1893

My great grandparents, Joseph Clinton Smith and Josephine Evaline Payton were married in Ashgrove, Iroquois, Illinois.

Mr. Joseph Clinton (Clint) Smith, age 18, of Stockland, Illinois,  was joined in matrimony on August 31, 1893 to Miss Josephine Evaline (Josie) Payton, age 20. The ceremony took place in Ashgrove, Iroquois county, Illinois. The groom was the son of Francis (Frank) Marion Smith and Mary A. Hobson. The bride was the daughter of Henry Payton and Sarah Smith. The marriage solemnized by F. W. Collins, Minister and witnessed by Alice M. Simmons and Minnie Payton.

Census Sunday - 1880 Maroa,Macon, Illinois - Francis Marion Smith

Year: 1880; Census Place: Maroa, Macon, Illinois; Roll: 229; Family History Film: 1254229; Page: 502C; Enumeration District: 157; Image: 0470

In 1880, Francis Marion Smith,26, was living in Maroa Township, Macon county, Illinois, with his wife, Mary A.,25. They had two sons, Joseph Clinton age 5 and Robert Francis age 3. Francis,  born in Indiana, was a farmer. Mary, born in Illinois, was keeping house.

Francis "Frank" Marion Smith was my great great grandfather.

Follow Friday: The Patient Genealogist's The Narrative Project: Did You Start?

I have been wanting to start writing the stories of my ancestors but did not really know how to start. I recently came across the post on the Patient Genealogist's blog entitled, Narrative Project: Did You Start?  I read further to see how this was done, she had steps for writing a simple birth story, a marriage story and a death story. All you need to do is take the information you have and make a simple sentence. http://patientgen.blogspot.com/2015/03/narrative-project-writing-simple-birth.html

 I decided that sounded simple enough, so I pulled out my dad's birth certificate and looked at the information that was included, and there was surprising a lot of information.  So this is what I came up with.

On December 29, 1929 at 8:00 p.m., a son was born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Smith, ages 33 and 30,  at the Rockwood Clinic Hospital in Spokane with the assistance of Dr. Robert Stewart.   The Parents, Frank and Viola Smith, named him Don Kennedy Smith. However, a few days later they decided to change his middle name to Francis.  Don's father, Frank, was born in DeKalb, Illinois and was working as a mechanic at Riegel Bros. Dodge. His mother, Viola, was born in Winona, Minnesota. They lived at 3120 W. Providence Avenue in Spokane.

I then got adventurous and I took the 1930 US Census with my dad and his parents on it and crafted another narrative.

On April 2, 1930,  Frank, 32, along with is wife, Viola, 28 and son, Don, 3 months, were living in Ward 4 block 504 in Spokane, Washington.  They owned a home valued at $3600 at 3120 W. Providence Avenue. Frank, a veteran of World War I, was employed as an assistant manager of an auto repair shop.

Of course, I need to work on the proper grammar and sentence structure, but I have a good start in writing my family story thanks to the Patient Genealogist.

On This Day - June 19, 1955

On This Day, 60 years ago, my parents Don Francis Smith and Jerry Lynn Wickenkamp were married at the Methodist  Church in Valley, Stevens county, Washington.

JERRY WICKENKAMP AND DON SMITH WED IN VALLEY CHURCH SUNDAY

Pink and white spring flowers with candelabra decorated the Valley Methodist church for the Sunday afternoon wedding of Miss Jerry Lynn Wickenkamp and Don F. smith.  The Rev. Ronald K. Johnson officiated at the double ring ceremony.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Wickenkamp, of Valley.  The bridegroom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Frank P. Smith, of Jump Off. Given in marriage by her father, the bride was lovely in her chapel length, white taffeta gown covered with nylon net and a chantilly lace fitted bodice which had a stand-up collar.  A cap of lace and Lillies-of-the-Valley held the finger-tip illusion veil.  She carried a white orchid on a white Bible which was a gift from the bridegroom. The gown was designed and made by Mrs. John Seubert.

Attendants:  Miss Carol Elliott, of Edwall, classmate of the bride, was maid of honor.  She wore a light green nylon gown, made with fitted bodice and portrait neckline, and matching Juliet cap.  she carried a Crescent bouquet of delicate pink daisies.  Douglas Smith, brother of the groom, was best man.  Nick Skok, of Jump Off, and Harold (Bud) Lucht, of Reardon, ushered.  Miss Shirley Roloff was accompanist for George Welte who sang "Through the Years" and "Because".  The mother of the bride wore a nylon print dress with pink accessories and a corsage of pink rosebuds and Lily-of-the Valley.  Mrs. Smith, mother of the groom, wore pale blue nylon with white accessories and a pink rosebud and Lily-of-the-Valley corsage.

Reception: Mrs. Vern Claflin was in charge of the reception for 150 guests.  Mrs. Esther Higgins and Mrs. H. L. Fisk had decorated the church and reception room.  Mrs. Charles Koch, aunt of the bride, served the wedding cake; assisted by Miss Carol Hoffman;  Miss Donna Robertson served the punch; Miss Betty Koch, cousin of the bride, was in charge of the guest book.

When the newlyweds left for a honeymoon at Lake Louise and Banff, the bride wore a pink and blue check orlon suit with pink accessories.  They will be at home to their friends at E 1644 Longfellow, Spokane.  The bride  is  a graduate of Eastern Washington College of Education in Cheney.  She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Key, Golden Circle. Tawanka and Who's Who in American Colleges.  She will teach in Spokane this fall.  Mrs. Smith is employed at the Otis Elevator Company in Spokane.  He served 15 months with the Armed Services in Korea.

Wedding Guests:  Out-of-town guests at the wedding were Betty Shane, of Lincoln, Calif., Mrs. R. D, Newton, of Cheney; Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Robertson , of St. John, Wash.,; Mr. and Mrs. J Logan and Michael and Al Shane, of Lincoln, Calif.,; Virginia and Pricilla Proxel, Opportunity; Mr. and Mrs. R. Anderson, Davenport; Gail Hayden, Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. George L. Kerkow, Winona, Minn.; Edward Proxel, Spokane; Mr. and Mrs. Otto Lucht, Espanola;  Mr. and Mrs. George Elliott and Ed Wollweber, Edwall; Mr. and Mrs. C. Murray, Gilbert Pryor, Joyce and Ricky Ayers, Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Bixby, Bruce Hayden, Lucille Hayden, Lynn Hayden, J. R. Ellis and Ron Hayden. from Spokane;  Mr. and Mrs. Phil Skok and son, Mr. and Mrs. Win Cook, Mrs. Kenneth Kester, Mrs. Viola Marshall, Donna and Judy Cook, Mrs. Robert Reichenberg, Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Reichenberg and Mrs. Ronald Johnson, of Chewelah; Pat Anderson, Tacoma. 

 

 

Today June 19, 2015 would have been they 60th Wedding Anniversary, I wish they were still here so I could celebrate this milestone with them as we did for their 50th. 

Happy Anniversay mom and dad, I love you and miss you. You always with me as I wear your rings around my neck.

 

World War II Letters Homes June 2, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                              Royal Air Force Station
                                                                                              Marham
                                                                                              King's Lynn, Norfolk
                                                                                              June 2, 1940

Dear Mr. Wickenkamp:

I am afraid your son's award of the O.B.E. for gallantry will be somewhat 'bittersweet' news to you, but I am glad that His Majesty has been pleased to approve of the award of this medal as a recognition of a very gallant act on the part of your son.  My only regret is that it came through after his decease.  you have every reason to be proud of him, this act in deliberately risking his life to save his companions is in keeping with the highest principles of civilized manhood.

The poor little widow of his 2nd pilot is staying with us now - Mrs. Wardlaw.  She is trying to start life anew in our Women's Auxiliary Air Force, but the sorrow of her loss lies heavily upon her.

The spirit of these lads, of whom your son was one, is just beyond praise and in my Officers' Mess here.  I have some of the 'salt of the earth'.  Our empire may thank God for every one such.


                                                                                             Yours Very Sincerely,

                                                                                             Keith
                                                                                             Group Captain


(This is the last letter in the collection. I have enjoyed sharing them with you. I just wish that they ended happier. Thank you for coming along with me on this journey. I hope you enjoyed them.).

World War II Letters Home May 2, 1940 - Estelles Wickenkamp

                                                                                         8 Milton Avenue
                                                                                         King's Lynn
                                                                                         Norfolk
                                                                                         May 2, 1940

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wickenkamp:

After all this time, just a mater of about 2 years I come about to writing to you.  I am, as you might imagine, completely at a loss as to what I have to tell you and the shock of late events leaves me feeling heavy of heart and mind.

I don't know quite what you would learn from official reports but I think you would like to know just what did happen and where it happened.  First, I'd like to tell you that this last action in which I saw Wick went to prove the gallant airman he was and his thoughts were for others even in such a time when so much was at stake for himself.

On Sunday afternoon,  April 7th, we were out patrolling the Danish Coast,  I suppose looking for German troop ships which were at that time transporting men and munitions for their entry into Denmark and Norway. About 10 miles west of the Danish Coast and the Skaggerack we encountered enemy fighters - German 110's, what they call the "destroyer".  At that time we were in 2 sections of Vic formation, flying as a flight - that is a Vic is 3 aircraft in that formation shaped as a V and there are 3 aircraft in a section, and 6 in a flight.  Wick and I flew in the same flight and even the same section after we were split up.  These 2 Vic sections were flying, one slightly higher and ahead of the other,  just a matter of 6 feet lower and the nose of the following aircraft just under the leader's tail.  Wick was flying in what we call 'No. 3' position and I was in No. 1. as I am now the Squadron Leaders 2nd pilot.  During the attacks we were all pretty badly shot up, unfortunately because the enemy aircraft carried cannons and machine guns against our machine guns and stayed mostly out of range but they still got a good peppering and one was set afire.

The petrol tanks in Wick's wings were badly punctured and the flames from the engine exhaust set them alight and he broke formation, but as the fabric of his right hand wing had been badly burnt he could only turn toward us, and if he'd done that and gone under us he'd have run into fellows following us on our underside.  His machine was badly damaged and still afire and there was little or no control in it and he couldn't help but swerve under us, and so in doing so he made use of his only controlling surface left and brought his craft around sharply in an effort t avoid colliding with the following aircraft and he succeeded but he missed them by such a small margin that some of their surfaces were charred by the spraying petrol.

A gallant deed by a man who was liked by all in our Squadron and one who is missed by us all and especially me as we've been together such a long time and done everything together.  There is one ray of hope, and I don't want to lay this falsely but the pilot who was with Wick at the time, they believe was picked up and taken prisoner.  At least, the Germans have since issued a statement that Pilot Officer Wardaw had been picked up.  There is no P.O. Wardaw in the service and only one P/O Wardlaw and he was with Wick.  These names of prisoners don't come through easily and so Wick just might be safe in Germany now.

I suppose you already know that Wick was commended for his bravery in his actions during that crash he was in at Marham during night flying, by the Air Officer commanding the R.A.F.  I have forgotten his name but I suppose you already know about that anyway.

I am addressing this to you, Mr.  Wickenkamp, because I fell I'd rather have you read it first and if you consider that it is alright for Mrs. Wickenkamp to read it as she might like to know first hand details, then I'll feel I've at least done one service for a fellow who was a real friend and pal of mine.

I must close now but not without first hoping everything goes well with you at home.  As Mrs. Wickenkamp has said in one of here letters to me -- this is from your other boy in the R.A.F. and I do hope to hear from you any time and I remain.

Yours Sincerely,

Doug W. Morris