Middleborough High School - Timaron Yearbook (Middleborough, MA)

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1 9 M. H. S. History of the 41st Regiment NATALIE PERKINS In June, 1937. Brigadier General J. Stearns Gushing; issued orders that the 41st Regiment Massachusetts National Guard, which in- cluded the towns of Middleboro. Lakeville, and Gar er. should be inducted into a four year training period starting September 10. 1937, at Gamp Memorial, Middleboro, Mass- achusetts. On the ap] ointed day all memliers of their respective companies reported at their ar- mories, and were transported to the above mentioned camp, there to begin a period of training which proved to be one of the most interesting and instructive interlu des of their voung lives. The duties at Gamp Memorial were tedious, but the regiment won the favor of the com- manding officers, bv its ability, its cheerful manner of accepting responsibility, and. in most cases, its excellent discipline. At the time of our induction Colonel L. J. March was commanding officer, and Gaptain L. 0. Tillson was second in command. They were ablv assisted by a staff of commissioned officers, including Lieutenants Ryder. Erick- son. Whitty, Ghase. Glutton. Moore, O Neil, Merselis. Briar. Brawn. Matherson. Wilber. Farley. Thomas. MacGowan. Battis. Hicks. Hvman. and Guild. Not too long after all members of the regi- ment had been subjected to a series of fail- itis inoculations, we were introduced to our daily routine of drills in Algebra. English. Historv. and manv other subjecls in the Man- nal of Learning. But all was not serious, dull drilling, for at various intervals during the first year we were gi en the opportunity to attend socials and dances sponsored by the camp for the benefit of all regiments. Jitterbugging really came into its own at our dances. Our superior officers also claimed that manv of us recalled too well a famous po]3ular song of the last war. If He Gan Fight Like He Gan Love. W ell Then It s Good Night Germany. But. seriously, the affairs were well planned, well chaper- oned, and offered us a necessary opportunity for relaxation. The regiment is indeed grate- ful to its officers for their efforts in our be- halL Athletics throughout our four years were ably supervised by Lieutenants. Whitty. Bat- tis and Farley. Our teams were more trulv representati es of The Aristocracv of Brains ' than The Democracv of Brawn , but we won our share of victories in competition with nearby camps. More important than all the victories was the manner in which we won and lost. Gamp Memorial has lost none of its reputation for fair play and good sportsirianshi]) because of our four years stay. During these four vears our regiment was commanded by the following officers: 1937 — 38 Sergeant Joseph Kunces. Gor- poral Edward Kincus. First Glass Private Svlvia Drake. 1938 — 39 Sergeant Joseph Kunces. Gor- poral Joanne Mendall. First Glass Privates Dorothv Breck. and Bett Gibbs. 1939 — 40 Sergeant Joseph Kunces. Gor- poral Phillip Impietro. First Glass Privates Bettv Gibbs, and Thomas Higginbotham. 1940 — 41 Sergeant Sylvester Sylvia. Gor- poral Joseph Kunces. First Glass Privates Trafton Mendall. and Bettv Gibbs. Thus far this has been a more or less general history of our regiment from 1937- 1941. There are several important events that need to be recalled and several person- ages that need to be mentioned in order that the scrolls be complete. In 1938. during our second year of train- ing. e sponsored a social event in the form of a Ghristmas Dance. The game room for the benefit of those who do not dance was introduced here. This game room idea made a lasting impression, and has been used at practicallv every dance held since that time. In March. 1940. our Junior Prom was held in the Town Hall. The long awaited night found the hall transformed into a Hawaiian paradise, with palm trees, tropical flowers, and a south sea island moon. This affair proved to be very successful, and the finan- cial returns were greater than ever any pre- vious class had realized. In the vear 1941. we turned to drama, and on April 18 produced the play Our Town. This. too. was a success and a great amount of 24