Lucille, Daniel and George Waswo

Subjects: (Left to Right) Lucille (age 28), George Daniel III (age 1+) and George Daniel Jr. (age 32).
Date: 1949.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Aunt, Nephew and Uncle.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. I am posting and commenting on the photographs from my album.

The house number above the door reads 2728. I am not sure whose residence this is. On the back of the photograph is printed 1949. Daniel III was born in June of 1948, and to me he looks closer to age 2 in this photograph. It is obvious it was taken during a warm time of the year with George and Lucille in shirt sleeves.

Perhaps some of my family members can comment and provide further details about the Waswo's during this period.

Waswo's Country Store

Subject: Waswo Country Store.
Date: 1947.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Uncle's business.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through  boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. I am posting and commenting on the photographs from my album.

In keeping with the family tradition of bakeries and grocery stores, George Daniel Waswo Jr. opened a Deli on National Avenue. During this period, this was country! To the left, you can see the extension, and this was the residence of the Waswo's. With the advent of supermarkets, the deli did not survive. Later George and Lucille went to cosmetology school and opened a beauty shop. Lucille worked at the shop until she retired at age 62. George went to work at a bank in the trust division, and the shop was leased to one of Lucille's former employees.

After Lucille passed following a battle with cancer, George hung onto the store and residence. He eventually sold the building and moved into an apartment.

To answer Karen's question in the comments: I know the original building (Circa 1920s (Wood-frame, rural general store/poultry supply) above lasted into the mid 1950's. The new cinder block building below was constructed 1954-56. When I was back in Wisconsin in 2009, I did not drive by to check it out. I went to google maps, and the building is still standing. It is a photography shop now.

Photo from google maps

Snow Storm

Date: 1947.
Occasion: Snowstorm.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.

The Event & Date

• Date: January 29–30, 1947 (often called the "Blizzard of '47" or "The Blizzard That Stopped Milwaukee Cold").
  
  
• Details: The storm hit unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 29, 1947. The weather forecast originally predicted just an inch of light snow, but a massive storm blew in with thunder snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph, piling up snowdrifts as high as 10 to 15 feet across the city.

Photo Context

Over 16 to 18 inches of snow fell over those two days, completely paralyzing Milwaukee’s public transit. The vehicle in your photo—a Milwaukee electric trolleybus (trackless trolley)—and streetcars were completely stranded across street routes. The city took nearly a week to dig out, using thousands of hired shovelers to clear tracks and unbury stuck transit vehicles.

The Woman in the Photo (may be my mother, Norma).

In January 1947, someone born in 1921 would have been 25 or 26 years old.

The silhouette of the woman standing by the front bumper of the stuck trolley—dressed warmly in a full-length winter coat, boots, and hat—certainly fits the height, posture, and style of a young Milwaukee woman in her mid-20s during that era. Given that she lived right in that neighborhood during the historic storm, it's a very plausible possibility!

The House in the Background

The orientation is off to be my grandmother Lucy's home, but typical for that neighborhood. Her home was built in 1914.

Milwaukee's North Side (around Richards, Ring, Burleigh, and Center) saw massive residential construction booms between 1910 and 1925.

Local builders and contractors frequently used standard pattern books for these classic two-family duplexes and "Polish flats." It was very common to find nearly identical houses—with the signature high dormer windows, twin second-story windows, and front porch overhangs—built across adjacent blocks and corners throughout the neighborhood.

Gloria Rae LaPorte

Subject: Gloria Rae LaPorte.
Date: November 10, 1945.
Occasion: Unknown.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: My mother's best friend for most of her life.

I have very little information regarding this photograph. Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother.

This picture is of my mother Norma's best friend Gloria LaPorte Strei. The LaPortes have been close family friends for many years. Helen LaPorte was best friends with Lucy T. Waswo, and Helen's daughter Gloria was Norma's best friend. Gloria married William F. Strei and they were married 64 years. Gloria resides in Brookfield, Wisconsin.  William Strei passed away April 1, 2011 at age 87. It does not surprise me that the two families shared many photographs.

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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Subject: Lucille Grulke.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Aunt.

This is the last photograph from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

This is a stunning photograph and is 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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Subject: (Left to Right) Norma Elsbeth Waswo, Avis Grulke, Lucille Grulke, Unknown flower girl, George Daniel Waswo, Jr., Three Unknown groomsmen.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Mother.

In the next several weeks I will be posting photographs from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Air Force in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

These are stunning photographs and the few that I have are 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.

Waswo - Grulke Wedding

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Subject: (Left to Right) Lucille May Grulke, Unknown flower girl, Avis Grulke, Norma Elsbeth Waswo.
Date: January 9, 1944.
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Occasion: Wedding.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Maternal Aunt and Mother.

In the next several weeks I will be posting photographs from my Maternal Aunt Lucille's wedding. The wedding took place during WWII, while my Maternal Uncle George Waswo was serving in the US Airforce in India and China. I have little information as to the actual wedding.

These are stunning photographs and the few that I have are 8 x 10 inch black and white. I am hoping that some of my maternal family members may be able to shed some light and more information about the wedding.

Joseph Frank Forrai, 1940's

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Date: 1947-48.
Location: Unknown.
Occasion: Unknown.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.
 
I am not sure whether this photograph was taken before or after my father served in the US Army during WWII. 1940's was the only thing written on the back of the photograph. This probably was a self portrait, as my father's hobby was photography and he did like to experiment with all the features his cameras had.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai.
Date: 1945.
Location: Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.
Occasion: Likely on shore leave.
Photographer: Unknown.
Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You affect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the Pacific islands with the exact location: South Pacific (Nouméa, New Caledonia).

Why Joseph's Uniform is Bare

Since Joseph was a Quartermaster serving on supply ships, he wasn't in a front-line combat infantry role where "stripping" a uniform for security was standard practice. Instead, his uniform is bare because of basic U.S. Army regulations for summer/warm-weather attire:

• The "Chino" Uniform: He is wearing the standard WWII U.S. Army summer service uniform (often called "sun tans" or chinos), consisting of a cotton khaki shirt and trousers.

• No Unit Patches: By military regulation, shoulder sleeve insignia (unit patches) were worn on the left shoulder of the wool olive drab (OD) winter coats, field jackets, and shirts, but they were very frequently omitted from the lightweight summer cotton shirts—especially for personnel on shipboard duty or transit where strict division attachments weren't actively being displayed.

• No Rank Insignia: If he was a lower-enlisted private (PVT) or private first class (PFC) at this point in his service, there would be no rank chevrons on his sleeves at all. Rank was only displayed on the sleeves for Corporals and above.

• The "Visor" Cap: He is wearing the service cap (often called the "saucer" cap) featuring the standard U.S. Army enlisted man's brass disc insignia on the front.

The Quartermaster & New Zealand Connection

Auckland, New Zealand—and specifically places like the Ellerslie Racecourse—served as massive, critical logistics and supply hubs for the U.S. Joint Purchasing Board in the South Pacific.

Because Joseph was a bit older (29 in 1942 was considered quite mature for a new recruit back then, given the average age was around 20-22), his assignment to the Quartermaster Corps was a perfect fit. The military heavily utilized older, more mature recruits in logistical, administrative, and supply chain roles because they often had civilian work experience that translated perfectly to managing the massive amounts of food, gear, and fuel required to win the war.

As a Quartermaster on supply ships, Auckland would have been one of Joseph's primary ports of call to load up on New Zealand-produced rations and equipment before heading back out to support the fleet. This photo captures a well-deserved moment of shore leave in a beautiful, historic setting!

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.

I feel very fortunate to have these photographs, because during WWII film development, and supplies were in very short supply. Plus, they made it through the censors if they were mailed.  My father came from a large, poor family, so the photographs were passed around. Given all the years that have passed, it is a miracle that they have survived.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai with fellow soldiers and sailors.

Date: 1940's.

Location: South Pacific (Nouméa, New Caledonia).

Occasion: Unknown.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Father. 

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

When you look at the mop photo, the uniform Joseph is wearing displays three chevrons (Sergeant) or a higher NCO rank patch on his left shoulder.

The theory about "borrowing" a uniform for a prank fits the scenario perfectly:

Why Does the Uniform Swap Make Sense?

The Rank Discrepancy: In the group photo and mop photo, he is wearing a shirt featuring Sergeant chevrons. As a T/5, his official rank shirt had the "T" under two stripes. Dressing up in a higher rank's shirt (or a friend's uniform) while posing dramatically with a mop on deck is classic G.I. humor.

Laundry Duty Access: Having access to the ship's or unit's laundry meant easy access to other men's uniforms. Grabbing a Sergeant's shirt to pretend to be "in charge" while sweeping the deck is exactly the kind of downtime horseplay servicemen often engage in.

Mixed Uniforms in the Photo: Notice how the group around him is wearing a mix of Navy "Dixie cup" sailor hats, Army garrison caps, and prop-like glasses. The entire group photo is clearly a lighthearted goof-off session where people were swapping gear and messing around.

The Verdict

The physical facial structure match—especially the ear shape, slender nose, thin lips, and lean oval jaw—remains incredibly strong. Combined with the laundry detail and Joseph's stories, the higher rank stripes actually confirm the horseplay rather than rule him out! That is definitely your father having a good laugh with his buddies.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You affect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the Pacific islands with the exact location: South Pacific (Nouméa, New Caledonia).

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.
 
I feel very fortunate to have these photographs, because during WWII film development, and supplies were in very short supply. Plus, they made it through the censors if they were mailed.  My father came from a large, poor family, so the photographs were passed around. Given all the years that have passed, it is a miracle that they have survived.

Joe and WWII

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Subject: Joseph Frank Forrai (3rd from Left) and Fellow soldiers and sailors.

Date: 1940's.

Location: South Pacific (Nouméa, New Caledonia).

Occasion: Unknown.

Photographer: Unknown.

Relationship to me: Father.

Once my mother retired, she went through the boxes of photographs and created historical photo albums. She made one for myself and one for my brother. This is a photograph from the album made for me.

When you look at the middle photo (3rd man from the left) and the mop photo, the uniform Joseph is wearing displays three chevrons (Sergeant) or a higher NCO rank patch on his left shoulder.

The theory about "borrowing" a uniform for a prank fits the scenario perfectly:

Why Does the Uniform Swap Make Sense?

The Rank Discrepancy: In the group photo and mop photo, he is wearing a shirt featuring Sergeant chevrons. As a T/5, his official rank shirt had the "T" under two stripes. Dressing up in a higher rank's shirt (or a friend's uniform) while posing dramatically with a mop on deck is classic G.I. humor.

Laundry Duty Access: Having access to the ship's or unit's laundry meant easy access to other men's uniforms. Grabbing a Sergeant's shirt to pretend to be "in charge" while sweeping the deck is exactly the kind of downtime horseplay servicemen often engage in.

Mixed Uniforms in the Photo: Notice how the group around him is wearing a mix of Navy "Dixie cup" sailor hats, Army garrison caps, and prop-like glasses. The entire group photo is clearly a lighthearted goof-off session where people were swapping gear and messing around.

The Verdict

The physical facial structure match—especially the ear shape, slender nose, thin lips, and lean oval jaw—remains incredibly strong. Combined with the laundry detail and Joseph's stories, the higher rank stripes actually confirm the horseplay rather than rule him out! That is definitely your father having a good laugh with his buddies.

In the next few weeks I will be posting photographs of my father and taken by my father during WWII. My father was trained in the United States and was a Quartermaster. The Quartermasters are the supply line, and while you would think it was safer than being on the line, think again. You affect more, if you knock out the supply line. My father was stationed in the Pacific and had the chance to be based in Australia, New Zealand, and of course the Pacific islands with the exact location: South Pacific (Nouméa, New Caledonia).

You may also want to check out my other blog, where I have been posting letters that my Uncle Paul wrote to my father. Paul was in Europe and my dad in the pacific. The link to the Shoebox of Letters can be found to your right of this column.