At noon of the same day we (?) a range of mountains a short distance inland from Genoa, something wonderful at night. We put up for the night at Piacenca (?) following morning at 8 AM started once more this time to the plains of the Piamonde, a pretty farming country.
7 PM we pulled into city of Mantova; struck our pup tents; had Mass at 8:30. Camped at Casino of Palazzo Del Te just outside of the city gates. A very fine position, under large trees. Am Sect. stayed until the 25th. Meanwhile a few carloads of freight arrived in at station for us. They consisted of 4 large casks. These contained 4 GMC chassis. These were put up and towed to camp. We also received a numerous amount of cases containing GMC parts and Dodge tires and tube, motorcycle tires and tubes. Some cases weighed up to 750 lbs.
On evening of the 24th I was told by VanWinkle that 5 of us were to report the following morning to the Serg. of MSIN 350 who accompanied us from Genoa, in that crowd was VanWinkle, Walsh Kark, Kearny and myself. I never saw the Serg. from that time on, the ?=!------?!------ (pardon this) but Capt. Tomlin the following morning told me that we would be sent up to the Sect. in about 4 or 5 days. This sounded somewhat good to me. If it was true but it was not. I never got there. In fact, none of us did. About the middle of Sept I was sent to Vicrmyn (?) to our dentist to get one of my teeth fixed, also a wonderful trip. There I met Capt. Tomlin, Frank Vistine, Plimpton and Wilkerson. It felt good to see them once more.
The early part of October I was detailed to officers villa as (?). On the 21st of Oct I was moved to the informary at the Dural Palace with Spanish Influenza, sick pretty bad for about 2 weeks. Got out of bed for the first time just to walk around on the 7th of Nov. On the 10th went out for the first time, walked about 3 1/4 miles and also went to church to assist at Mass. Afternoon 11th (really difficult for me to read but looks like) Bentley reverend Parade commemorate the supposed hour Germany was supposed to sign the Armistice. Quite a Parade.
Did you catch that your grandfather survived the Spanish Flu? This epidemic killed millions of people (up to 5% of the world's population) worldwide 1918-1919, targeting healthy young adults in particular. The first and best recorded case was in a Kansas military camp. The American military apparently carried it to Europe with them. Due to the war, countries involved in the war censored their health reports so it wasn't known worldwide until it hit Spain. Thus, Spanish Influenza.
There were 3 waves of the spread of this deadly flu. The first was wildly contagious, the second very deadly and the 3rd spread as people celebrated the end of the War with the Armistice. Your grandfather's journal seems to indicate he fell ill either at the end of the second wave or was part of the very beginning of the third wave. I believe his comment that he was "sick pretty bad" was likely a tremendous understatement. There are those that believe that people who survived this flu developed very strong resistance to similar illnesses. Regardless, your grandfather survived to return to his home and begin a family after having been an integral part of world history. How cool is that?
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Here are some random (or not so random) pictures from the photo album. I thought I'd take a little break from the journal this time. I got a new toy for myself--a portable, mobile scanner called a Flip Pal (oh, Bobbie you need to check these out for yourself!). It's a device that you can take to the picture you want scanned rather than bring the picture to the scanner. I think the quality is quite good and that you will enjoy the following.
This appears to be the same woman on the same day as above (or wearing the same outfit). It also appears to be the same man in both--I'm not sure this man is your grandfather James (but I'm not sure it isn't). Of course, he has a brother Joe as referred to here.
I am not sure who Funny Face is either but it's on the family side of the photo collection. There is another picture with a similar looking child referred to as a nephew. James' oldest sister Margaret/Innocencia has two boys in the late 1910s so so perhaps it's one of them. Of course, I am assuming these all to be Coffarellis prior to James' marriage. This could be a huge mistaken assumption.
This is the frontispiece of a small white Bible contained within the box of memorabilia. It nicely ties up the little remaining mystery of how James got referred to as Samuel in at least one census. He apparently received Holy Communion and was confirmed at the same ceremony. Now I understand the Samuel references!
I hope you are all safe and warm and enjoying Presidents Weekend. Happy belated Birthday to Amanda and Miles!
I do not recognize Steeplechase--perhaps it's a resort? Or a game at a resort?
James was the youngest so perhaps this is the youngest female sibling Lena/Louise. Any thoughts?
I hope you are all safe and warm and enjoying Presidents Weekend. Happy belated Birthday to Amanda and Miles!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
A Trip We Thought That Would Never Finish
7AM June 23rd. The northwest coast of Africa was sighted. Passed thru straights 1 PM anchored in harbor of Gibraltar 3 hours. Docked to take a supply of coal at 5 PM. Was there to the following day.
June 24th After a good look at the rock of Gibraltar we set sail again. About 4 PM amid cheers and shouts of Bon Voyage, Give Them Hell, Best of Luck and the like from our (jackirs ?) we were on our way once more to Italy, a trip we thought that would never finish.
June 26th We saw nothing out of the ordinary up to today, but about 2 PM one of our convoys, the English Destroyer, sighted something about 2 miles on our left. She quickly left us in charge of our other convoy the little sturdy American. She was gone for about 1/2 hour and then back in her place again. In Genoa British jackirs claimed to have sunk a German sub. But we were ignorant of it all as it all happened too far from sight.
June 27th about 5 AM we reached the coast of Italy. 6 AM we were in the port of Genoa. 7 AM we were in our dock. The port looked very queer to us compared to what we had left just 2 weeks ago. We were not allowed off until sundown, with the exception of the boys that took charge of the officers baggage. Our section was placed on guard around the dock. Here we had all our cars and supplies strewed all over the docks, these being taken off the U.S.S. Plymouth. About 5:30 PM the boys started to come off our ship with full field equipment. Our boys lined up in parade formation, left the dock of Genoa for a parade through the city. This is undoubtedly the end of the story of our safe trip across the pond on the good ship U.S.S. Giuseppe Verdi as far as the rest of the boys were concerned. But it was still in our midst for we were to guard our own supplies. We had the privilege of using the showeres and baths while we were there.
566 Done the guarding until 5 PM Sunday June 30 when we were relieved by soe other section. Monday 566 had the distinction of being made the Provo Guards in Genow. I was put on the afternoon shift from 1:30 - 5--along with Dan Couston. Our post was along the main thoroughfare of the City.
Via XX September. It was a very nice post being cool and shady, it also was a good opportunity to see the sights of Genoa. This job lasted 3 weeks. Our Sect 566 left Genoa for the front as we thought on the 19th of July at 8 AM. I was assigned as an assistant to Dan Couston on an ambulance at noon of the same day.
There will be another similar installment from your grandfather's World War I journal. The anniversary of his early death is coming up Feb 20 and it's hard to think of him falling ill at such a young age when you see pictures like this:
It's a great gift to feel as though we can get to know him a little better through his journal, pictures and trinkets. How lucky you all are to have had someone document so well!
And one more treat from this album in light of Valentine's Day:
June 24th After a good look at the rock of Gibraltar we set sail again. About 4 PM amid cheers and shouts of Bon Voyage, Give Them Hell, Best of Luck and the like from our (jackirs ?) we were on our way once more to Italy, a trip we thought that would never finish.
June 26th We saw nothing out of the ordinary up to today, but about 2 PM one of our convoys, the English Destroyer, sighted something about 2 miles on our left. She quickly left us in charge of our other convoy the little sturdy American. She was gone for about 1/2 hour and then back in her place again. In Genoa British jackirs claimed to have sunk a German sub. But we were ignorant of it all as it all happened too far from sight.
June 27th about 5 AM we reached the coast of Italy. 6 AM we were in the port of Genoa. 7 AM we were in our dock. The port looked very queer to us compared to what we had left just 2 weeks ago. We were not allowed off until sundown, with the exception of the boys that took charge of the officers baggage. Our section was placed on guard around the dock. Here we had all our cars and supplies strewed all over the docks, these being taken off the U.S.S. Plymouth. About 5:30 PM the boys started to come off our ship with full field equipment. Our boys lined up in parade formation, left the dock of Genoa for a parade through the city. This is undoubtedly the end of the story of our safe trip across the pond on the good ship U.S.S. Giuseppe Verdi as far as the rest of the boys were concerned. But it was still in our midst for we were to guard our own supplies. We had the privilege of using the showeres and baths while we were there.
566 Done the guarding until 5 PM Sunday June 30 when we were relieved by soe other section. Monday 566 had the distinction of being made the Provo Guards in Genow. I was put on the afternoon shift from 1:30 - 5--along with Dan Couston. Our post was along the main thoroughfare of the City.
Via XX September. It was a very nice post being cool and shady, it also was a good opportunity to see the sights of Genoa. This job lasted 3 weeks. Our Sect 566 left Genoa for the front as we thought on the 19th of July at 8 AM. I was assigned as an assistant to Dan Couston on an ambulance at noon of the same day.
There will be another similar installment from your grandfather's World War I journal. The anniversary of his early death is coming up Feb 20 and it's hard to think of him falling ill at such a young age when you see pictures like this:
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