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 Davidson County, 1940 – 1945: Local newspapers describe life on the WWII homefront”
This text has been modified from a book written and copyrighted by J.M. Daniel in 2005. The Museum presented two exhibits about WWII that year and Daniel’s research accompanied the first exhibit, A Band of Families: The World War II Home Front. Compiled from local newspaper articles published during the war in The Dispatch (Lexington), and The Times (Thomasville), the book reflects the extraordinary level of patriotic engagement citizens at home made in support of the war effort. A subsequent exhibit, Our Own Band of Brother: Those Who Served, told the story of thousands of Davidson County men and women who saw military service during WWII.
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 1944 - Gaining the Upper Hand
Residents in Davidson County, North Carolina fought World War II on two fronts – for every local citizen who served his or her county in the military, family and friends remained behind to wage their own war on "The Homefront." The information presented is from Davidson County’s local newspaper accounts from late 1939 through shortly after the end of WWII in 1945. The information was gathered from headlines, editorials, classified ads, and the society pages printed in "The Times" in Thomasville, NC and "The Dispatch" in Lexington, NC. What emerges is a picture of everyday Davidson County citizens learning to cope with the reality of world war. There are stories of tireless volunteers and scrap drives, fund raising and blackout procedures. And, as with any other county in America, you’ll also find a bit about those who sought to evade the draft, the difficulty of conforming to ration restrictions, and even the authorities attempts to discourage wartime bootlegging.
1/3/44-- Tires are expected to be in critically short supply for several months … car-pooling is having a detrimental effect on recapped tire longevity due to extra weight.
-- Fourth War Loan campaign begins 1/18. Davidson County quota is $1.26 million
-- Tin can pickup to be incorporated into regular garbage pickup in Lexington.
-- The Dispatch cost has risen to 6 ½ cents per week delivered
1/6/44-- 26 African-American men inducted from District 1. 1/3 are fathers.
-- Marriage license issuance declines. Many men home on leave are taking their prospective brides to SC to avoid the wait
1/7/44-- 103 white men inducted from District 2
--Workers badly needed at Norfolk Navy Yards – pay from $0.70 to $1.14 per hour
1/10/44-- Blue and Red ration”tokens” to be used to give “change” from stamps.
--Local physical screening of potential inductees halted. Physicals to be performed in camps.
1/13/44-- Air Force Band from Charlotte on hand to launch 4th War Loan drive.
-- 3 local men under investigation for theft of gas ration books from Lexington ration board.
1/14/44-- Thomasville’s William C. Miller family receives his Purple Heart for his death at Pearl Harbor
1/17/44-- OPA agents on hand to investigate lead to black market sales of gas ration tickets by unknown “Lexington area man”
-- Ad – Family Shoe Center has large lot of “ration free” shoes for sale for $2.95/pr.
-- Local flu epidemic has impacted bandage production locally. Sewing room still going strong with 72 women donating hours this month. Mrs. A.M. Crowell has made 75 sweaters.
1/20/44-- Western Union delivering casualty notices by taxi within a $5 cab ride of town. Notices requiring more distant delivery are put in mail.
-- Rumor of supply of shotgun shells causes run on Community Hardware in Thomasville
-- Ad – women sought for work at U.S. Rubber in Charlotte
1/22/44 ALLIED FORCES LAND AT ANZIO, ITALY
1/24/44-- 4th War Loan takes in $300,000 in first 5 days
-- Truck and Trailer “train” of captured German equipment in Lexington on February 4th
-- 2 Lexington boys steal rifle and raincoat from MP jeep downtown. MPs on hand escorting convoy of troops heading home from maneuvers.
1/31/44 AMERICAN FORCES INVADE KWAJALEIN
-- Photo - Lexington’s honor board – Buy a Bond and place a flag alongside name on board.
2/3/44-- Davidson County’s allocation of tires, tubes, and gas cut in expectation of upcoming “big offensive” in Europe. 295 gallons of gas total.
-- Lexington clothier, Pickett & Green, receives “minuteman” pennant as each employee has sold $200 in war bonds
-- Ad – 5 “great Roxy NY vaudeville acts” at Carolina
-- Local Groundhog day skies were clouded by the smoke from burning off gardens
-- Ad – rayon hose $0.69 - $0.79 pair
2/4/44-- Captured German equipment on display in Thomasville as part of bond drive
2/7/44-- 29 more Lexington area people go to Norfolk for defense work
2/10/44-- 110 called for physicals, 13 inducted from Lexington’s District 1
-- 2 of three men being investigated for gas ration theft placed under arrest. Disposition of stolen stamps unknown
2/17/44-- Ration tokens distributed. Red for meats, fats, and oils. Blue for vegetables, fruits, and processed foods.
2/18/44 AMERICAN FORCES TAKE ENIWETOK
2/21/44-- Local boards asked to review deferrals of 1,200 farm workers
2/25/44-- Thomasville paper prints “Salute” edition with photos of Davidson County men and women in service
3/6/44-- 500 men from Davidson County called for physicals
-- Movie ad - USMC film on battle of Tarawa at Carolina
3/9/44-- Moonshine still broken up. Using honey in place of sugar.
3/17/44-- Shortage of glass bottles causes request for return of idle “deposit” bottles
-- Thomasville Coca Cola Bottling collecting musical instruments for troops
3/20/44-- 60 African-American men from district 1 called for physicals
3/23/44-- Mr. & Mrs. W.D. Beck have 6 sons in service.
-- Free clinic scheduled on use of pressure cookers
-- Girls from Holt School volunteering to roll bandages
-- Photo of Eisenhower labels him as “invasion commander”
3/27/44-- Lexington company of State Guard seeks recruits
-- Local food stores rated “above average” in compliance with price ceilings
3/30/44-- All men under 26 including those previously deferred to be called for physicals
4/3/44-- Local agricultural deferments lifted. Must be reapplied for on a case-by-case basis
-- Photo – high fashion is “unpatriotic” – re-modeling clothing is in.
4/6/44-- Local serviceman, Percy Walden, heard on Red Cross broadcast from German prison. “I am well and getting along OK”
Note – there are many mentions of the “eminent” invasion of Europe
4/10/44-- 95 men inducted from District 1
-- Reclassification of farm workers to 1-A is creating a crisis at planting time. Will workers be available to work and get in the crops? Those under 26 are said to be “likely” to be called.
4/13/44-- 5 food dealers, 4 clothiers called on price ceiling violations
-- State Director of Selective Service states that the only available pool of men is those who turn 18 and those under 26 with farm deferments
4/17/44-- From District 1: 230 men for physicals, 100 whites and 4 African-American for induction
-- Copper still found in Lexington. Moonshine sells for $10 per ½ gallon
-- Movie ad - “Memphis Belle” – 1st motion picture filmed during actual combat
-- Photo – singer Vivian King Bright to appear at Dunbar School
4/20/44-- Urgent appeal for bandage rollers
-- Previously convicted and banished-from-the-county bootlegger charged with involvement in gas ration ticket thefts.
-- 2 Healing Springs parents charged with “harboring” their deserter son
-- Local shortage of paper bags noted. Public urged to supply their own.
-- School children asked to participate in drive for clothing for Russian War Relief
4/21/44-- 63 white men inducted from District 2 – 23 of them to the Navy
4/24/44-- Lexington State Guard receives rifles to replace those taken by Army and will receive uniforms
-- 4 Davidson County men reported killed in one day. The largest such report to date.
-- Many Davidson County farmers are cultivating Kudzu as a forage crop.
-- Lexington Kiwanis seeking 2 train car loads of scrap paper in drive
4/27/44-- Mr. & Mrs. E.H. Easter – 4 sons in service
4/28/44-- 60,000 cans purchased for Davidson County community canneries
-- Editorial – OPA estimates that over 25% of gas is sold illegally. In Charlotte district (including Davidson County) it is estimated that 35,000 gallons are sold illegally each day.
5/4/44-- “Meteorologically, the invasion will come in May.”
-- NC company cited for short measure of processed goods
5/5/44-- Rationing lifted on all meats except steak and beef roast
5/8/44-- Planning for 5th War Loan Campaign begins
-- Train carload of surplus spinach arrives here to be hastily canned by school canneries. To date, they have received carrots, cabbage, beets, Irish potatoes, eggs and canned grapefruit juice. Food to be used in schools
5/11/44-- Shortage of labor puts local farmers at least 3 weeks behind.
-- Lexington Red Cross ships 288 “kit bags”
-- Ration Book #1 has now expired. It was the first ration book ever issued in U.S.
-- Local Red Cross needs 200 wash cloths knitted – takes 5 hours each.
5/15/44-- The term “D-Day” is being used in conjunction with the expected invasion. Local merchants make plans on how to react to news when it comes. Churches to open for celebration.
-- Local cotton mills urged to adopt a 48 hour work week.
-- Coast Guard seeks African-American enlistees.
5/18/44-- 5,000 gallon still broken up in Boone township
-- April bond sales less than ½ quota
-- “Stove top driers” can save fruits and vegetables
5/25/44-- Mr. & Mrs. J.L. Evans - 4 sons in service
-- Shortage of paper bags intensifies
-- Lexington to build new hospital.
5/26/44-- 26,000 applications for 211,470 lbs of “canning sugar” in Davidson County
6/1/44-- Davidson County quota for 5th War Loan is $2,347,000
-- Cotton mill workers asked to pledge to a man in service that they will work a 48-hour week. The emphasis is due to a shortage in cotton production nationally.
-- The graves of 3 WWII casualties are marked by American Legion
-- Campaign to raise $1/4 million for Lexington hospital begins
-- A second bandage rolling unit begins work at 2nd Presbyterian Church
-- Ad – newsprint being rationed as part of national paper shortage
-- Lexington swimming pool prepares for opening
6/2/44-- 12 tons of waste paper collected by Thomasville JayCees
6/5/44 ALLIED FORCES ENTER ROME
-- Belk-Martin to exhibit travel souvenirs from servicemen
6/6/44 D-DAY: INVASION OF EUROPE BEGINS WITH ALLIED LANDINGS AT NORMANDY
6/8/44-- Photo – Liberty bell rung to mark Normandy invasion. Sound broadcast by radio.
-- Gas ration stamp thieves each get “year and a day” sentences
6/12/44-- Children of the American Revolution are raising funds for a mobile plasma unit
-- Absenteeism continues to be a major problem in local industry. 1,472 instances in last 2 weeks alone.
-- Military plane crashes in Badin lake.
6/15/44 AMERICAN MARINES INVADE SAIPAN
-- Lexington Hospital drive has raised over $120,000
-- Ad – due to shortage of gas and labor, “Sinclair Service Station” is closing
-- Local airman, Ralph T. Morris noted for over 200 missions in South Pacific
6/16/44-- 175,000 planes built by US since 3/11/41
6/19/44 "MARIANAS TURKEY SHOOT" RESULTS IN DESTRUCTION OF OVER 200 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT
-- Photo of bond sales booth built and donated by Smith Lumber Co.
-- Mr. Van B. Wood of Handy community has 5 sons in service
-- Business and Professional Women’s Club to open a “serviceman’s center” for those in transit
6/22/44-- Normandy invasion footage to be aired at Carolina theater
-- Crashed plane located in Badin Lake. Too deep to recover bodies of crew.
6/26/44-- Hospital quota “in sight”
-- Lt. Col. Robert F. Sink cables his wife “Everything is under control”. Article includes copy of his order to his men prior to invasion.
-- Price ceilings to be placed on used cars. - 42 Ford = $990, 42 Chevrolet = $945, 42 Plymouth = $990, 38 Ford = $405, 38 Chevrolet = $450, 38 Plymouth = 425
6/27/44 AMERICAN FORCES LIBERATE CHERBOURG
6/29/44-- Full page ad – “the ideal site for your Post-War home – Salem Park”
7/3/44-- Nearly 3 tons of clothing collected for Russian relief
-- Potential vacationers reminded of ban on pleasure driving
-- Tire tubes removed from rationing
7/6/44-- 65 men inducted from District 1
-- American Legion Auxiliary joining in bandage rolling
-- Employers in essential industries must seek employees through Employment Service
-- Nationally, Girl Scouts have contributed 1,500,000 8-hr days to the war effort
-- Nationally, 1943 marriages down from 1942 levels
-- Farm workers must have landlord or employer’s approval before applying for other work
-- 22 4-H club girls volunteering for filing at Ration Board
-- 22 workers from Davidson County to Norfolk Navy Yard in last 2 weeks of June
-- 5th War Loan Drive nearing end
7/10/44-- Lexington Hospital drive short of goal
-- All Davidson County men between 18 and 26 have had physical exams
-- $0.18 ceiling price placed on beer
-- Additional “canning sugar” ration supplements may be applied for
-- Lexington and Denton over 5th War Loan quota. Remainder of county expected to hit their goals
-- Red Cross notes increase in number of workers and hours worked
-- Ad – onstage at the Carolina – Fred Kirby and the Briarhoppers
7/13/44-- Lexington’s swimming pool and playgrounds closed in anti-polio measure. Children under 15 banned from theaters. Grace church cancels Sunday school
-- Robert Earl Gosnell, blind volunteer, helping fill kit bags at Red Cross
-- Ad – tire tube repair kit $0.13. Tire patches $0.05
7/17/44-- Additional bus added to Lexington’s local route will stop at Lexington Silk Mill
-- Ad notes that over 7,000 are in service from Davidson County
7/18/44 AMERICAN TROOPS LIBERATE ST LÔ
7/21/44-- District 2 sends 63 white men for induction
7/24/44-- Harry S. Truman named running mate for Roosevelt
-- Beginning August 1st, the draft will include men between 26 and 37. Beyond those turning 18, the supply of men under 26 is exhausted.
-- Theft of ration coupons from rural mail boxes causes halt to mailings
7/25/44 ALLIED FORCES BREAK-OUT OF NORMANDY ENCIRCLEMENT IN "OPERATION COBRA"
7/27/44-- Col. Robert F. Sink’s 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment receives Presidential Unit Citation
-- Servicemen on furlough authorized 1 gallon of gas per day
7/31/44-- All Davidson County War Loan quotas reached
-- Polio scare continues
8/3/44-- Lumber use restricted to “essential “ purposes
-- Only 8 of 48 Davidson County restaurants receive an “A” sanitation grade. 3 closed.
-- School opening may be delayed by polio threat
-- Duke endowment to support Lexington hospital fund
-- Ad – Appalachian State Teacher’s College – 1 year for $285, includes tuition , room , and board. In 1941, 1/5 of students were male. In 1944 the ratio is 1/10.
-- Davidson County $600,000 over 5th War Loan goal
-- ¼ page ad – detail on lumber restrictions
-- Movie ad - “Fighting Sullivans” about 5 brothers in service at Carolina
8/4/44-- Canned corn put back on ration list
8/7/44-- Urban dwellers restricted to 300 feet of lumber in any quarter year
-- Local woman receives $1,600 award in lawsuit against fortuneteller. Uses award to buy bonds.
8/10/44-- Local corn crop is large but workers are few
-- Davidson County in top 4 of NC sweet potato producing counties
8/14/44-- 4 Davidson County men charged with “pleasure driving” when their cars were seen at the beach. They were fined ration stamps.
-- 2 more cases of polio reported in Davidson County
8/15/44 ALLIES INVADE SOUTHERN FRANCE
8/17/44-- 73 men inducted from District 1. Only “a few” are fathers.
-- 5th polio case reported in county.
-- “Drive to work” motorists with “B” and “C” ration tickets must produce evidence of car pooling to keep their classification. Some use of “tombstone names” noted.
8/18/44-- 3 Thomasville men called to explain their presence at Myrtle Beach in light of pleasure driving ban
-- Editorial – war expected to end in October
8/21/44-- Optimistic Lexington merchants making advance plans for VE day.
-- Charles M. Owens, African American service man, has picture in Dispatch. Only African-American photo of this type noted to date.
8/24/44-- Local drive against black market gas sales said to be effective.
-- Ad – notice to textile workers: “Your job is your battle station”
8/25/44 PARIS LIBERATED
8/28/44-- 34 hotels in Miami acquired as centers for returning battle casualties, recovered patients, and men home on rotation.
-- Lexington High School football drills canceled in light of polio cases
8/31/44-- Thomasville reports their 2nd polio case, the 6th in Davidson County.
-- Brush fire in southern Davidson County said to uncover 15 stills
9/4/44-- Mr and Mrs. Clyde D. Lookabill have 2 sons and 2 daughters in service
-- Flame thrower to be demonstrated at Textile Show at Holt-Moffit park.
9/7/44-- DOT plan for bypass around Lexington presented
-- Small still destroyed off Happy Hill Rd.
-- Theaters remove youth attendance ban as there have been no new polio cases reported
9/13/44 AMERICAN TROOPS REACH THE SIEGFRIED LINE IN WESTERN GERMANY
9/14/44-- 22 men from District 1 inducted. One of the smallest calls to date.
-- It takes the produce of 3,824 farms to fill one supply ship.
9/18/44-- Local ministers planning VE Day celebrations
-- Rationing lifted on many canned vegetables. Fruits, tomatoes and their juices remain on ration list.
-- Slaughtering of hogs no longer requires a permit.
-- Davidson County 14th in state in paper salvage
-- Paratrooper J.C. Meacham home on rotation. One of the first “rotations” noted.
Note: there are many “wounded” notices in paper over the last few issues.
9/21/44-- Coal and wood stoves removed from rationing. Gas and oil stoves remain rationed.
-- 1,300 children attend free “Back to School” movie at Carolina
9/22/44-- District 2 sends 22 more white men for induction
9/24/44-- Army troops from Camp Butner stage comedy “3 Refugees” in show for textile workers at Thomasville
9/25/44-- Grace Episcopal and First Reformed Churches begin clothing drive for liberated countries
-- Government promises a “simplified form 1040”
-- Community Bank of Lexington announces they will begin redeeming matured Savings Bonds and those where there is an emergency need.
-- New ceiling prices on food announced
9/28/44-- Shipment of shotgun shells arrives but is quickly exhausted.
-- Davidson County Electric Cooperative announces plans to electrify 1,000 farms when war ends
10/5/44-- 73 inducted from District 1. All under 26.
-- Children of the American Revolution present blood plasma unit to Army.
-- General Electric announces plan to build jet airplane engine
10/9/44-- 67 Davidson County men known dead to date. 7 listed as MIA. 11 POWs. Names to be placed on a memorial board to be placed in front of courthouse.
10/12/44-- Price ceiling violation charges against 12 grocers dropped due to ambiguity of regulations
-- 227 honorable discharges have been filed in Davidson County to date. Filing is not required, however.
10/13/44-- Memorial to war dead to be dedicated on the square in Lexington on 11/2/44
10/16/44-- Erlanger, Lexington Silk Mills and local property owners protest bypass plans
-- Paratrooper Occo Leonard who parachuted into golf course, met the Queen of England, and jumped into Normandy, killed in action.
-- Red Cross urgently needs bandage workers.
10/23/44 U.S. NAVAL FORCES DESTROY REMNANTS OF JAPANESE NAVY AT THE BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF, THE LARGEST NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN HISTORY
-- Union vote fails at Wennonah Mill.
10/26/44-- Lexington population is 11,909.
10/27/44-- Fred Kirby and the Briarhoppers appear at the Thomasville High School
11/2/44-- 21 local merchants cited for price ceiling violations
-- Mr. And Mrs. E.L. Sink lose 2nd son.
11/6/44-- Note: casualty news remains high
11/7/44 ROOSEVELT ELECTED TO FOURTH TERM
11/9/44-- Army reports critical lack of nurses
11/13/44-- Davidson County election results: Roosevelt 9,464 – Dewey 9,445, a mere 19 vote plurality
-- March hotel opens private dining room
-- Full page ad- 6th War Loan. Davidson County quota is $1.9 million
11/16/44-- 9 of 19 absentee ballots inspected found fraudulent. Reduces Roosevelt majority to 10 votes.
-- Election board says prima facie evidence of election fraud found here
11/20/44-- Movie ad – “Snow White” at the Carolina
-- Ad- workers sought for Martin Aviation in Baltimore
11/23/44-- Old jail said to be a “disgrace to Davidson County
-- Mr. And Mrs. Remer Regan – 5 sons in service
-- Black market tire sales reported here
-- Price ceiling checks continuing here
-- English war bride of paratrooper J.C. Meacham expected to arrive this month.
12/4/44-- Lexington approved for airport after war
-- Meat and dairy products in short supply. Produce plentiful.
12/7/44-- Investigation into fraudulent ballots continues. Ballot boxes impounded.
-- 3rd anniversary of war. War news from overseas suggests heavy casualties ahead.
12/11/44-- 42 men inducted from district 2.
12/14/44-- SBI investigating ballot fraud in Presidential election.
-- Public reminded that gas rationing is estimated on a basis of 15 mpg.
-- Strange linear cloud overhead in Davidson County draws much notice and speculation – airplane contrail
-- With 1 week left, Davidson County is $300,000 short on 6th War Loan
12/15/44 AMERICAN FORCES INVADE PHILLIPINE ISLAND OF MINDORO
12/16/44 GERMAN ARMY LAUNCHES "BATTLE OF THE BULGE" OFFENSIVE ON THE WESTERN FRONT
12/18/44-- Aircraft Observers note more strange objects in the sky… 2 silver globes. Said to be weather balloons.
-- 6th War Loan quota met.
12/21/44-- Davidson County exceeds Loan quota by $1M
-- Davidson County farm gas allocations to be scrutinized in light of national shortage
-- War Department announces plans to provide more information on casualties. Will include letter from commanding officer or chaplain.
-- Note: Christmas ads are mostly “Christmas Greetings” with little merchandise mentioned.
12/28/44-- Canned vegetables returned to ration list due to German counteroffensive in Europe.
Copyright J. M. Daniel, 2005
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