This will be my last postcard to go through and analyze the backgrounds of both the sender and the card recipient. It’s been an absolute hoot to do this, merely for something to kill time during the heat of summer rather than being a specific mission.
My Aunt Dora did crossword puzzles to keep her memory sharp, and this postcard searching does much the same for me. Dora lived to be 99, and hopefully my body will last nearly that long.
Wanting to choose a card that has a history that I can relate to, one from Craig Field in Selma, Alabama, does just that. My father was stationed at Craig Air Force Base for several years, with my brother and me going to Southside School, close to the base, as well as learning to swim in the Craig pool. The base name change came about in 1948.
Private Harold Calvin Peck sent the picture postcard to Miss Annie Quartz and Miss Gertrude Smith in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on November 6, 1942. Pvt. Peck was stationed at Craig, undergoing training, and was about to enter WWII service, which was taking place across the ‘big pond’ as the English called it. His message to Annie reads as follows:
“1942
Dear Auntie –
Thanks for the ‘Old Colony Memorial’, it’s sure is good to see where some of my friends are stationed. Everything is swell here & I am enjoying Army life. I am getting along fine as a photgrapher and it sure is exciting. Our field here is very nice & I’ll be here for quite some time. I hope you are feeling well and enjoy your new home.
Pvt. Harold Peck
US Army Air Force
57th Air Base Hdqtrs Sq
Craig Field, Ala.”
This postcard was sent to:
Miss Annie Quartz
Hamilton Street
Plymouth, Mass
% Miss Gertrude Smith
Harold Peck was born on August 31, 1921; thus, he would’ve been 21 when he enlisted on February 16, 1942. When he was discharged from the Army Air Corps, Peck had attained the rank of Sergeant. Harold died on February 15, 2013. His wife, Eileen, preceded him in 1984. The following detailed obituary was on Harold’s gravesite information card.
“Harold C. Peck, a lifelong native of Plymouth, died on June 15, 2013. He was preceded in death by Eileen W. Peck, his spouse for thirty-nine years, and by Ms. Rita Smith, his life companion and friend for twenty-three years. Rita and Harold had resided in Englewood, Florida. Harold was born on August 31, 1921, in Plymouth to Warren H. and Mary (Costa) Peck.
He graduated from Plymouth High School in the class of 1939. Harold was one of four brothers: the late Warren Peck of Largo, Florida, the late Kenneth W. Peck of Plymouth, and Ronald R. Peck and his wife Bonnie of Plymouth. At the age of 21, Harold enlisted in the United States Air Corps and, in 1942, was assigned to the Photographic Section (stationed at Craig Field), Selma, Alabama.
After his tour of duty was completed, he returned to Plymouth, where he was a self-employed residential contractor and master carpenter for 46 years. After his retirement from the contractor business, Harold accepted a position with the maintenance department of Plymouth-Carver Schools. He retired from that position in 1986.
He continued his love of building and repairing by always being ready to help others with their projects. Harold and Eileen were very active in the American Legion Post 40. Harold was a past Commander of American Legion Post 40 and a past District 10 Commander of American Legion. He was a gold-life member and also belonged to AM Vets and Elks Lodge #2710, Rotunda, Florida. In 1989, Harold moved to Englewood, Florida, where he resided with his close friend, Rita Smith, until she died in 2012.
Harold is survived by his son, Kenneth, and wife Debbie, his granddaughters Laura Peck and Joanne Strohmann and husband Joseph, and his great-grandsons, Andrew and Ryan Strohmann. Cremation will precede a private interment in Vine Hills Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Harold’s memory may be made to Cranberry Hospice, 36 Cordage Park Cir. Suite 326, Plymouth, MA 02360.”
Miss Annie Quartz was Harold’s aunt. She was born in Germany on March 29, 1872. Annie was a widow, with her husband having passed away in Germany before she came to America. Miss Quartz was 70 years old when Harold sent her the postcard. She died on May 4, 1965, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, at the age of 93.
Gertrude Smith was evidently a relative or friend of Annie. She was 45 in 1942, and perhaps helping take care of Miss Quartz. Gertrude never married and was living with her parents at the time Harold mailed his postcard. She worked as a stenographer.
Gertrude V. Smith was born on December 4, 1897, and died on June 27, 1991, at the age of 94. She’s buried next to her parents.
Craig Air Force Base was closed in 1977, with the property turned over to the Craig Field Authority. Selma, as a city, suffered greatly when this happened. Now, 48 years later, the town is still trying to recover.
I like to write junk... 