The Hansen Brothers in the Morning Union (Hansen)

                                                                              

   I found a wonderful resource on line the other day...The  California Digital Newspaper Collection has digitized  parts of the Morning Union which was published starting on October 28, 1864  and ran until 1945 as a morning paper in Grass Valley.  Only the years between 1865-1916 are available on line as of now, but those years give us a glimpse of what was going on in the early  lives of the Hansens on West Main Street.  I supposed you could compare the section The Day in Grass Valley with today's Face Book.  You read it to  find out who was doing what,  where, when and why, and of course, with whom, but without the selfies and group pictures! It was how people in the community kept tabs on each other and stayed in the loop.  These little snippets of information give us small snapshots in time; almost like opening a door for a few minutes to get a glimpse and a peak  before the door is shut again.  Here are a few selections....

Morning Union, 8 October 1911 LITTLE LAD HAD A BIRTHDAY PARTY  Fifth Birthday of Master Jack Hansen was a Very Jolly One...Friday afternoon 15 of the little friends of Master Jack Hansen gathered at the home of his parents on West Main Street and had one of the jolliest times of their lives. Master Jack was the proudest one of them all, it being the fifth anniversary of his birthday and he felt it was a high honor to have the little ones present as his guests on this occasion. The party lasted from two until five o'clock and every minute of the time was made to count by those present.  A birthday cake with five lighted candles representing his fifth birthday was the center of attraction at the table, as there was a coin baked in the cake which was to go to the guest receiving the lucky slice of cake. Little Ruth Hogan was the lucky one to secure the piece containing the coin.  Childish games were indulged in throughout the afternoon and the little ones enjoyed themselves as much as older persons do at similar gatherings.  The following were those who were present at the party:  Margueritet Skewes, Frank Skewes, Ruth Hogan, Catherine Hogan, Francis Hogan, Hoval Wayne, Earl Wayne, Richard Hosking, George Hosking, Myron Horan, Minnie Fraser, Marian McGuire, Jack Hansen, Bob Hansen and Harold Hansen. 

Morning Union, 30 January 1912 MORE MEASLES REPORTED.. Four cases of measles were reported yesterday, three of those afflicted being the family of W. Fraser of West Main Street, while the other case is the child of Mrs. John Hansen of Main Street.  The usual quarantine will be enforced.  (I don't know which of the boys was afflicted..)

Morning Union, 14 June 1912  Miners Accept Positions....Frank Williams and Peter Kelly, Jr. have accepted positions in Central America and left this city a day or two ago for San Francisco, from which place they will sail with Patrick Holland.  John Hansen is also employed at the same place and Mrs. Hansen and son are leaving for there on the same steamer with the three named above. 

Morning Union, 3 August 1912  TAKEN ILL WITH FEVER ON TRIP...Little John (Jack) Hansen Contracted Panama Fever While on Way to Salvador...Word has been received in this city by relatives of the arrival at Salvador of Mrs. John Hansen and son, John (Jack), also Patrick Holland, Peter Kelly and Frank Williams.  The party of Grass Valley left on the same steamer from San Francisco some time ago, and the men will be employed in the mines there.  Mrs. Hansen and child will visit with Mr. Hansen, who is at present employed there.  While on the trip down the coast little John (Jack) Hansen contracted a severe case of what is known as the Panama fever (presumably yellow fever) and when the party arrived at Salvador the little fellow was in a dangerous condition.  At the time the letter was written to this city there was no change in his condition and further news from Salvador will be anxiously awaited by the host of friends of the family in this city.  The other members of the party enjoyed the trip and arrived at their destination in perfect health. 

Morning Union, 6 August, 1912 LITTLE JOHN HANSEN RECOVERS FROM FEVER...Another letter has been received in this city from Salvador in which the news is given that little John (Jack) Hansen has recovered from the attack of fever  which the little fellow suffered while en route on the steamer for Salvador.  He was a very sick boy for awhile, but treatment he received by the boat physician and also upon his arrival caused the fever to leave and Mrs. Hansen stated in her letter that the lad was able to run about as usual.  Mrs. Hansen and child will visit with Mr. Hansen at Salvador for several months. 

Morning Union, 16 March 1913   Miss Nellie Loney has taken her departure for Hobart Mills, where she will teach in the schools there in lieu of Miss Faye Curtis, who is very ill at San Francisco........Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen and children, accompanied by Mrs. Hansen's sister, Miss Gladys Burrows, have returned from Salvador, where Mr. Hansen has been employed for some time.........Mrs. James Wales, who has been visiting at Alta with her daughter, Mrs. F. Foote, has gone to San Francisco , having been summoned there by the death of her cousin.......

Morning Union, 15 May 1913  Miss Gladys Burrows is confined to her room at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen on Main Street, with a sever attack of crysipelas.  (possibly erysipelas; a serious bacterial infection of the skin)

Morning Union, 25 January 1914 GIVES "STAG" PARTY ON HIS 5TH BIRTHDAY  Robley Hansen, young son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen of Main Street, was host to a number of his young friends yesterday at the home of his parents.  The affair was strictly "stag" and was in the nature of a "peanut" party, the favors, place cards and games being suggestive of the idea.  Bob Hansen was five years old yesterday and he entertained in a manner which would do credit to those many years his senior.  Among those present were Myron Horan, Frank Skewes, Jack Hansen, Arthur Black, Ward Angilley, Richard Hosking, Harold Hansen, Francis Hogan, George Hosking and Robley Hansen. 

Morning Union, 26 August 1914  Mrs. John Hansen and children were incoming passengers on yesterday afternoon's train. 

Morning Union, 5 February 1915 Youth Under Knife...Little Harold Hansen, four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hansen, was operated upon at the Jones Memorial Hospital yesterday by Dr. Carl P. Jones for appendicitis.  An aggravated case was revealed and although the little fellow is doing well as can be expected he is by no means out of danger. 

Morning Union, 7 July 1915 PEACE IS URGED BY YOUTHFUL ORATOR  (this long article talks about the youth of Grass Valley who participated in the 4th of July patriotic and literary program at the Elks Hall)...Enormous crowds jammed Church and Main streets, the Elks' Hall lawn and the lawns of residences for a block or more in each direction.  Master Jack Ideal With Gavel...As presiding officer Master Jack Hansen leaves nothing to be desired.  He took charge of affairs like a veteran and carried the program through without the slightest slip.  Besides Master Jack made a little speech on his own account, calling attention to the significance of the day and the meaning which lay behind the activities of the boys and girls-future citizens of the United States. 

And of course, the class lists for the beginning of the school year. 

Morning Union, 28 August 1915 WHERE PUPILS WILL REPORT MONDAY A.M. ......The pupils of the Grass Valley schools will report to their respective rooms upon Monday morning, August 30th, 1915 as follows....Lincoln School...Fourth Grade: (Miss George, teacher) Jack Hansen....Bell Hill School Second Grade: (Miss Curtis, teacher) Robby Hansen 

  So, just a few glimpses of early life in Grass Valley for the Hansen boys.  I will share more pictures in the next post of the boys in school, growing up on the ranch, and excursions taken in their teenage years before marriage and the war. 

Clara Vere Burrows Stayed in Grass Valley (Burrows Hansen)

                     

 

                                    Clara Vere Burrows (number 38) Columbus  School Grass Valley, Ca 1893

  Clara Vere Burrows was the  Great Grandmother I never really knew.  The last few months I feel like I have gotten to know her a bit better through research and discovering never before seen pictures.  She was my Grandfather Harold Hansen's mother.  She was born and raised in Grass Valley, California, and except for a grand adventure to Central America with her husband John Hansen, she stayed in Grass Valley to raise her boys and put her own unique stamp on her family, church  and community. 

  Vere (as everyone called her) was born the fifth child out of 12 to Alexander and Elizabeth Jane Burrows.  Both Alexander and Elizabeth were lawyers; Alexander ran his offices out of the Holbrook Block as "A. Burrows, Attorney at Law" (The Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley, 1889).   I am not sure how much time Elizabeth Jane had to devote to her practice, with 12 children to rear.  Out of the surviving siblings Vere was the only one to stay in Grass Valley for remainder of her life.  

  Vere was born September 25, 1882 in Grass Valley.  She attended Columbus School,  elementary grades through high school.  I found the above picture at the Nevada County Historical Society (161 Nevada City Highway, Nevada City, Ca) while I was looking for other records last summer.  It was an amazing find, just sitting there in a large drawer.  I also found out that she was a charter member of the Nevada County Historical Society!   The 1880 Census lists the family as living in Grass Valley.  There is no street named; the census taker just listed and numbered each family as he wrote his records down in his flourishing handwriting.   The 1890 census is unavailable, so the next Census for 1900 lists the family as living on the West Side of Townsend Street (again no house number)  with  Elizabeth listed as head of household and occupation as lawyer.  

                                                           Ada Hooper went on to graduate from High School with Vere. 

                                 Maggie Woods and Clarence Grenfell  went on to graduate from High School                                                                                    with Vere. 

 

Columbus School 1917.  Beautiful Banner Mountain is in the background.  Betty, Fran and Dorothy Hayes attended school here, as well as Harold, Jack and Bob Hansen.              

The Columbus School was torn down and replaced by Hennessy Elementary.  It is now Grass Valley Charter School.  It is located at 225 South Auburn Street in Grass Valley.  Source: Rick Cooper Face Book Private Group You Know You're From Nevada County If You Remember...

    The Daily Morning Union, Grass Valley, Friday July 7, 1899 describes Vere as a bright student.  She had passed the examination to become a senior at Columbus School's High School Class with a score of 91.3.  She graduated high school in 1900. 

                    Graduating class of 1900.  Vere Burrows is third from right, seated on the wicker chair. 

                   Vere's essay "Use of History" still exists and will be archived with her family artifacts. 

                                                                            Senior Picture Grass Valley High School 1900

  According to her obituary printed in The Union October 19, 1974, Vere was a long time member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, and sang in the church choir.  She was active in the Agricultural Extension Program of Nevada County and Chicago Park Canning Co. (a forerunner to the 4-H movement) and was past president of Manzanita Parlor, Native Daughters of Golden West.  She was also a founder of the PTA in Grass Valley Elementary Schools.  In front of one of the entrances to Hennessey School is a very tall redwood tree that was planted in her honor.  There may still be a bronze plaque.  I need to make a trip to investigate that tidbit of information! 

          Interior of The Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 235 South Church Street, Grass Valley, Ca. 

  As a young woman Vere had quite a patriotic interest, much like John Hansen.  She was among the hundreds crowded at the Colfax train depot to greet President Teddy Roosevelt on May 19, 1903.  I wouldn't be surprised if John Hansen was at this event, too!  The family story goes she handed Teddy a bouquet of flowers. 

T. R.'s 14,000 mile trip began in April, took him through 25 states and lasted 9 weeks. During this trip T.R. saw Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, the Redwoods and arranged a face to face meeting and  then experienced an impromptu camping trip with John Muir in Yosemite. T.R. did not just give speeches from the back of his train car, he also helped shovel coal, enjoyed visiting with the engineers and liked to blow the train's whistle in the middle of the night. From the TR Inaugural Site  www.trsite.org   "TR In California: The Whistle Stop Tour That Changed America"

  Vere Burrows became the happy bride of John H. Hansen at 4:45 am (in order to catch the train to the coast) on July 3, 1904.  The parlor home of Mrs. E.J. Burrows was decorated with a patriotic theme of bunting and flags.  This patriotic theme carried throughout their marriage and in the raising of their three boys on the ranch.   

  I have  surprisingly few pictures of Vere to share.  She seemed a little camera shy perhaps. Or she was the one taking all the pictures of her husband and boys.  Enjoy!

                                                     Clara Burrows Hansen 1930's or 40's

                  Vere and John Hansen with unidentified gentleman and Harold Hansen early  1930's

John and Vere Hansen at an unknown Grass Valley function.  They are 6 and 7 from the top left, under the window, second row. 

                                                            Betty and Harold Hansen with Vere Hansen  

                                                                           Harold, Vere and Jack Hansen 

   Vere's husband John passed away April 10th, 1945 while all three of their sons were serving in WWII.  It must have been a very difficult time for her.  Her  life as wife of adventurer, business man,  councilman and mayor was over.  Her boys wouldn't be home for a little while longer, and when they did get home Bob and Harold were married with children and living in their own homes.   When Jack came home he continued to live in the house on West Main Street with Vere.  He took care of her as she got older, never marrying.   She was known for her red geraniums on the sun porch and her continued work in Emmanuel Church.  Later in life she was in ill health and needed the care of Spring Hill Manor Convalescent Hospital.  She passed away at the age of 92 October 17, 1974.    She had four grandchildren and six great grandchildren.  

  Although I don't have many memories of my Great Grandmother (I do remember the geraniums on her porch, and love growing my own) I feel a great appreciation for what she did in the community I eventually grew up in.  

Are You My (Norwegian) Cousin? (Hansen)

  As I write this family history, I digitize and archive as I go.  All the while uncovering new finds to  ponder over and then figure out how they fit into this wonderful puzzle.    I found a large manila folder marked  "Norwegian Family".  Under that was marked "Hans Gunderson" and "Emma".  Under that was marked "Knud Nilsen"; all in my Auntie Claire's writing.  This was a mix of old pictures, pictures from the 30's, pictures from my Grandfather Harold Hansen's 1930 trip to Norway, and a few pictures from the 1950's.  I am posting the majority of the pictures with some interpretation, but I will have to save more research for a later date.  Enjoy! 

These two pictures appear to have been taken at the same photography studio, at the same time in Kristiana, Norway (spelled Kristiana on the back).   This second picture has some writing in Norwegian which I believe says that the picture is being sent to California from Marie.  Marie was John Hartwig Hansen's cousin, born in 1889.  I believe the top picture is of  Marie's younger sister Emma, born in 1894.  They were daughters of John's sister Hulda, who married Harold Klemmetsen.  I am guessing that Emma might be around 13 years old, and Marie may be around 18 years old, making the date of these pictures around 1907.  It is just a guess.  

  I have posted this picture of my Great Grandfather John Hartwig Hansen before, but it appears to have been taken at the same studio.   It is fun to compare with the above pictures.   This picture has always been hard to judge as far as when it was taken. The collar looks more turn of the century, but he would have been in his mid 30's by then, and in California.   Was it taken when he was a young man in his twenties?  That would date the picture to around 1885.  I am sure his clothing gives lots of clues, but maybe someone else can take on that project. Or I can put it on my to-do list. 

   Then we come to this picture, which was taken at the very same studio. The exception is that on the back, Kristiana is spelled Christiana, making me think it was taken at a later date. I do not know who this could be.  More research is needed on this one.  That tie may be a big clue. Is it Knud Nilsen who wrote the letters to the family in 1945? Is it a younger brother of Marie and Emma? It might be the youngest brother  Rolph (Ralph) born in 1898.  He looks like a younger version of the young man on the left in the picture below.   A mystery for sure. 

  This next picture is from my Grandfather Harold's trip to Norway in 1930.  I know that the older gentleman on the right is Harold Klemmetsen with his wife, Hulda.  I believe that the younger woman on the left is their daughter Emma. I am not sure of the identify of the gentleman on the left  with any certainty. I have not yet been able to find any census records listing Emma's  husband or her children. He may be her husband, or a brother.  I am leaning towards brother.  But, we can use this picture as a reference to identifying other people in other pictures. 

  This picture has writing on the back....I recognize the words Ski (where Grandpa visited the farm), Emma, and the date September 26, 1931.  The older couple is Harold and Hulda. I do not know the identity of the young man. 

Harold Hansen with Hulda (left) and Emma (right) 1930.

Harold Hansen with ? 1930. 

Hulda Klemmetsen 1930.  

The farm in Ski

 

Unidentified 

Unidentified. Probably a later date from the pictures above. 

This is signed   "Sincerely Emma" 1933

Unidentified.  1930's? 

This one is from 1958

"Girl Scouts  1958"  Unknown cousin. 

Earlier photograph than the two above.  Maybe the mother in the upper photo? 

  

  

  I will leave this post with one more picture.  John Hartwig Hansen is in the middle holding some seaweed.  Who is he with? He is obviously a very young man.  What year was this?  I have so many more questions about his family and early life in Norway.  What was the close connection to his sister Hulda and her family?  I don't know when his parents Hans and Anna died, but perhaps his sister helped to raise him, as he was the baby of the family.  Hulda's husband Harold certainly had a big influence on him, with his connection to the sea. He would later use that connection to help my Grandfather with his trip to Norway in 1930. 

And who was Knud Nilsen? It is still a mystery not yet solved. 

The Hansen Brothers in WWII Part 3 Robley Hansen (Hansen)

              Robley Evans Hansen US Navy on the steps of 418 W Main Street Grass Valley, Ca    June 1943

   I didn't have much information on Bob Hansen's WWII service and I couldn't find many pictures of Uncle Bob in Auntie Claire's archives.  I did find this one, probably taken right before he left for his training and tour of duty. His enlistment date was June 28, 1943.   Skip Hansen (Bob's son) recounted to me how his dad was walking near the Hotel El Cortez in Reno when he heard of the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941.  The Navy recruiting office was within sight, and he trotted in there and signed up.   His construction knowledge immediately put him into the Seabees.  If he did sign up in 1941, he didn't officially enlist until 1943. 

Skip, Margaret and Gay Hansen (cousins) on the steps of 418 W Main Street Grass Valley, Ca. Most likely taken in March 1944 right before Harold Hansen enlisted in the Navy.  This picture survived the fire of 1950. 

   Bob Hansen enlisted as a Seabee in the Navy; the Seabee nickname refers to the first letters "C B" from the words Construction Battalion. Naval construction battalions were conceived as a replacement for civilian construction companies on contract to the Navy, after the U.S. was attacked at Pearl Harbor (Wikipedia.org).  The first volunteers were construction tradesmen who were given advanced rank for their trade skills.  They would end up being the highest paid group in uniform.  Age and physical standards were waived up to age 50 to increase recruitment of this group of men.  The average age of recruits was 37.  Bob was 34 years of age, and was already engaged in the construction business in Reno, Nv.  According to the Reno Gazette Journal (August 22, 1943 )       " Warrant Officer Robley E. Hansen is taking advanced training at Camp Perry near Williamsburg, Va.  He was in the contracting business in Reno before enlisting in the Seabees."

  Skip Hansen sent this picture of the specific battalion that his father Bob served in.  I was able to find a wonderful resource through the Bangor Public Library that gave the whole history of the Battalion.  The link to the book is:        

   "The Blackjack, 1944-1945:  a story about and published by the 21st U.S." by United States Navy-Bangor Community:  Digital Commons@bpl-Bangor Public Library 

It is well worth downloading and reading.  The pictures and descriptions really give a feel for the service of these men. 

  According to the book, the 21st debarked at Pearl Harbor on July 28, 1944 and began assembling invasion pontoon causeways and barges on Intrepid Point.  These steel floats were a new development of ship to shore warfare--hollow steel blocks that could be piled and tied into all sorts of shapes and put to all kinds of uses in the water and on land.   Pontoon units of varying sizes were produced, ready for invasions in the Philippines, the Marianas, and other Western Pacific objectives. 

The 21st left their mark on the harbor shoreline by being designated a "waterfront battalion".  They became experts at making installations such as piers, wharves, docks and landing places of all kinds.  They constructed small boat moorings, a garbage collection facility, barge slips and berthings for fuel barges.

  Their last project before leaving for the forward areas was the expansion of the Waipio Amphibious Base at Waipio Point.  They cleared fields of sugar cane and constructed a complete camp: Mess hall, barracks, heads, medical buildings, rigging, and storage huts, along with a 3,000 man open air amphitheater.  "Maybe the 21st was a waterfront battalion, but Blackjacks were skilled at any kind of construction, and our carpenters really plied their trade at Waipio Point." 

  One of the paragraphs I especially enjoyed reading was about the Seabee Ingenuity...

"The Seabees have become famous for their talents at adapting materials and equipment on hand to novel and necessary uses, and the "Can Do" idea was as strong among the Blackjacks as anywhere.  We saw inventivness and cleverness in all types of work; we had to be that way when we were far distant from supplies............Of course, the explanation was partly due to the skilled men who enlisted in the Seabees and who knew their trades from A to Z and back again." 

  The 21st would then sail to the forward areas of the Pacific Theater...the Marianas.  Iwo Jima had been captured just before they reached the island of Saipan, so they felt they were no longer in danger of air raids.  But, bloody fighting had taken place in the fields where they would eventually build their camp, and several hundred Japanese troops still lurked in caves.  The sport of souvenir hunting was popular.   Skip Hansen told me a story of how a Japanese trooper snuck into the tent of his dad and another Seabee named "Boom Boom".  Boom Boom threw a knife he had under his pillow and killed the Japanese fellow. This event could have taken place on Saipan, or Okinawa. 

  From Saipan the 21st assisted in the campain for Okinawa where the Japanese were utilizing kamikaze attacks.  The Navy took heavy losses in ships and personnel.  The guards were doubled up at night to watch out for Japanese swimmers attempting to blow up the ships. They were told that "Tokyo Rose" broadcast a welcome to the 21st battalion when they landed, "but, we didn't care.".  Never the less, the 21st was there to unload equipment and troops. The third night ashore the Japanese attempted to land troops in order to disrupt  behind the front operations.  The Army and Navy were ready for them, and destroyed them all.   Five days after they landed the 21st  was at work building a wharf and a pontoon pier.  

  

  I was lucky to find this slip of newspaper from The Union in a file folder,  and it made me happy that my Grandfather and Uncle Bob were able to have a short reunion in the midst of the chaos in the Pacific.  There is no date written down or saved,  but the meeting must have occurred around the time both men were around Okinawa. 

  In addition to the Okinawan  Kuba Saki pier, the 21st accomplished building a complete Naval Operating Base  as well as major highways and roads using coral quarried for fill. They built water tanks, planted "Blackjack Vegetable Gardens" in native rice paddies and sometimes helped the natives who were left on the island.  They kept working after the August 15th unconditional surrender of Japan. They endured September and October typhoons and mudslides.  And then the end of the war came and the 21st Battalion was soon to be inactivated.  The acting officer in charge, Lt. W. M. Harting, gave some last words for his battalion..."Those men of the Seabees who served with the 21st NCB can be justly proud of the part they played in the winning of World War II.  In a war involving vast territories, millions of men, countless items of construction equipment, and a complex array of fighting machines and materials, a Seabee battalion is just another small unit in the overall pattern of victory.  That final victory was brought about by the combined efforts of small units such as ours." 

  Bob Hansen was released from the Navy on December 21, 1945.  He  did not talk much about his service much like his younger brothers.  Skip told me that about the only thing he ever said was "Son, our boys' bodies were stacked like firewood".  It was a horrific, necessary war. But, like his  brothers, he  used his talents and abilities while putting himself in harm's way to help our country fight and win against the enemy.  Thank you, Uncle Bob, for your service. 

**************************************************************************************************

A little more about Robley "Bob" Hansen........

                                                                 This is from the Reno Gazette April 30, 1955.  

New Building Was Erected By Reno Man...Three generations of Robley E. Hansen's family have been in the construction business in the West over an 80-year span. 

  Mr. Hansen, whose family has built many of Reno's finest landmarks, is the contractor who erected the new Reno Vulcanizing Works building at Sixth and Virginia Streets.

  Mr. Hansen moved to Reno from Grass Valley, Calif. in 1926, and learned the construction business from the ground up.  He worked as an apprentice carpenter and entered business with his uncle, Roy A. Burrows, in 1930.  

  In 1937, Mr. Hansen began the R.E. Hansen Construction Co.  Since then he has been awarded contracts for many notable Reno building projects, including the remodeling of Lincoln Hall and the department of metallurgy at the University of Nevada.  His firm built many of the finer homes in the Newlands Manor Addition.

  During World War II Mr. Hansen served three years, from 1943 to 1946, in the Civil Engineering Corps of the Navy.

  Mr. Hansen is married and has two children, a son who is a junior at Reno High School and a daughter who is a senior at the University of Washington.  

Robley Hansen b. Jan. 23, 1909 Grass Valley, Ca.   d.  August 22, 1986 Reno, NV. 

Picture shared by Skip Hansen

The Hansen Brothers in WWII Part 2 Jack Hansen (Hansen)

   

  Jack Klemmet Hansen entered WWII as part of Company E, 115th Combat Engineers  on March 3, 1941. Company E was a part of the California National Guard at the time.  It was a replacement regiment of the old 40th Division, and was mobilized in 1941 as California's 40th Infantry Division in response to the war in Europe. 

  Uncle Jack's division was sent to Camp San Luis Obispo for training which included training around Morro Bay to learn to build ponton bridges,  and then a short stint at Fort Lewis, Washington.  I am sharing just some of the hundreds of photographs my Uncle took .  Thankfully, he was very good at writing descriptions on the back of a few of his photos. These are photos from San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay and Fort Lewis.  He did not take the Fort Lewis photos; they look like they were purchased as souvenirs.  Jack added his own descriptions to the back. 

Jack's Enlistment Letter

Jack Hansen reporting for duty Camp San Luis Obispo.

                                                                      

 

                                     "Third Squad Second Platoon" Jack Hansen is second from right.  

    Uncle Jack had clerical experience and was assigned to  U.S. Post Office duties.            

      He is standing in the middle, on the right. 

"San Luis Obispo Morro Bay bridge maneuvers"

"Geo. Davisdson and Ivan Labrum"

"Ponton bridge and Morro Rock"

"Rifle Range"

 

  "A good picture of Fort Lewis-South, the portion in which we are located.  The arrow points to the present site of A.P.O. 40 and is our home....."

                                                    " Another good weapon for beating off the Axis."

                                                          "I have helped construct obstacles like these." 

  In September of 1942 the division arrived in Hawaii and moved to defensive positions on the outer Islands.  

    A pose with the pipe.

                                                                "Hanalei Valley, in northern Kauai."

   In October, the 40th took up jungle and amphibious training in preparation for offensive operations, and moved to Guadalcanal for further training.  According to California's Own: The History of the 40th Infantry Division (www.militarymuseum.org/division.html)  the division didn't battle the Japanese, they instead fought the island's muddy conditions, its swamps and mosquito-born malaria.  They then moved to Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island.  

                Uncle Jack is in the middle row, second from the left, with his ever present pipe. 

                          Army Post Office No. 40.  Uncle Jack standing to the right of the pole. 

           

                                               Working conditions at the Army Post Office No. 40.........

Description on the back.."My home on New Britain.  Charles Custer posing.  Note the clothesline and wash stand.  The mountain in the rear is a volcano.  A mass of jungle growth covers the whole area." 

  Uncle Jack also had pictures obviously taken during his service during the war.  At one point he was in Liege, Belgium and parts of Europe.  

Description on the back..."This building is directly across street from our hotel, undergoing reconstruction. The entire front was blown out by concussion from Buzz bomb."  Buzz bombs were early cruise missiles used by the Germans that did considerable damage and caused stress and anxiety from the noise they made as they came in.  

Out on the town; possibly Liege, Belgium. 

"One of the many churches in Liege." 

Uncle Jack's Heart Shield Bible.  The worn writing on the metal cover says "To The One I Love". 

                                                                              Mess Pass

                                                                                      Ration Book

                                                                        Ration Stamps

  Uncle Jack served his country using the skills and talents that he had.  He was 35 years old when he enlisted.  He went on to serve his community as the Superior Court  Clerk of Nevada County for 20 years, retiring in 1972. He lovingly took care of his mother Vere Burrows Hansen until her death in 1974.  He had a large group of friends in the community and was a part of many fraternal and service organizations.  He served his church (Emmanuel) and his Lord, singing in the church choir.  He also sang with the Cornish Carol Choir and the Cornish Gold Miner's Chorus.  He was known for his sense of humor, his kindly attitude and his giggle.  He  never married.   He is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery in Grass Valley, California. 

                                                Thank you, Uncle Jack, for your service!