Joseph Adolphe Arthur “Art” Dupuis

Joseph Adolphe Arthur “Art” Dupuis was born on March 24, 1901, in Port Severn, Ontario, into a comparatively small Catholic, French-Canadian family. Art was the youngest of 5 children born to Jean Baptiste “John” Dupuis and Louise (Piette) Dupuis. 

Art left school for good at the age of 14 to enlist in the 177th (Simcoe Foresters) Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force on February 22, 1916. Standing at a height of 5 feet 10 inches, he successfully persuaded the recruiting sergeants that he was 18 years old. He received basic training at Camp Borden and left Canada from the Port of Halifax via the S.S. Metagama on May 1, 1917. After a 13-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean, Art arrived in England and was transferred to the 3rd Reserve Battalion along with the rest of the 177th. He was promoted to an Acting Lance Corporal upon his arrival in England but requested a reversion to Private on August 11, 1917. On August 13, 1917, Art was transferred to the Central Ontario Reinforcement Depot, where his true age was finally discovered. A little over a month later, he was sent back to Canada and discharged on January 11, 1918, due to Army Council Instruction No. 1,186 for being underage. According to Art’s War Service Gratuity application, he later joined the Royal Air Force, but this has not been independently verified. For his service during World War I, he was awarded the British War Medal. 

By October 1919, Art was living in Southern California where he would soon begin a successful career in show business as a stuntman, makeup artist, and actor. On January 7, 1934, Art married an actress named Elinora Agnes “Gloria” McEniry, who used the stage name Gloria Stratton, at the Saint Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Laguna Beach, California. The marriage produced four children: John Thomas Dupuis, Patricia Louise Dupuis, Ronald James Dupuis, and Pamela Lee Dupuis. Art became a naturalized citizen of the United States on October 8, 1943. 

Art died of a heart attack on April 18, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. During his storied, decades-long career, he appeared in more than 100 films, including “The Mark of Zorro” (1940), “Citizen Kane” (1941), “Joan of Arc” (1948), “Samson and Delilah” (1949), “An American in Paris” (1951), and “The Greatest Show on Earth” (1952), among others. He also worked on several television shows, including “The Cisco Kid,” “The Roy Rogers Show,” and “I Love Lucy.”

Canadian Engineer Cap Badges WWI to Present

Here are a few of my Canadian Engineers (CE) cap badges.

The first badge in the top left corner is an enamel and brass Royal Canadian Engineers cap badge. This badge is marked “BREADNER 84” on the slider, which signifies that it was made in 1984 by the Breadner Company of Ottawa, Canada. The badge consists of a beaver on a log against a red background, surmounted by the St. Edward’s Crown, encircled by blue enamel containing the words “ENGINEERS,” “GÉNIE,” and “CANADA,” partially surrounded by maple leaves with a banner at the bottom containing the unit’s Latin motto “UBIQUE.”

The remaining three are World War I-era CE cap badges. The top right is made of copper-plated brass, the bottom left is made of bronze, and the bottom right is made of brass. I prefer the CE cap badges that are made solely of copper, but I did not include one here. These three badges consists of a beaver on a log, surmounted by the Tudor Crown, encircled by the words “CANADIAN ENGINEERS,” partially surrounded by maple leaves. All three of these badges are unmarked.

Prior to the First World War, there were two components to the Canadian army. There was the permanent active force, to which the Royal Canadian Engineers belonged, and there was the militia, to which the Canadian Engineers belonged. The Canadian Engineers were part of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and were raised specifically for overseas military service. I mention this because the Royal Canadian Engineers used a different cap badge before, during, and after World War I, which looked similar to the cap badge used by the Royal Engineers, and included the Cipher of the Reigning monarch until 1967. 

Corporal George Walter Le Cras, Canadian Engineers, 1916 - 1919

George Walter Le Cras was born on May 24, 1894, in Saint Helier, Jersey, to George Henry and Victoire Eugenie (Le Chevalier) Le Cras. As a young man, George worked as a carpenter and served 10 months as a Private with the Royal Militia of the Island of Jersey. George left Jersey and immigrated to Canada in October 1912 and settled in Woodstock, Ontario.

On March 22, 1916, George enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto and was drafted into the Canadian Engineers. Upon his arrival in France on July 2, 1916, George was assigned to the 1st Field Company, Canadian Engineers. He participated in the battles of the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele before sustaining a gunshot wound to the head on December 11, 1917. After convalescing for four months, George rejoined his unit on April 13, 1918. He attained the rank of Corporal by the time of his discharge on April 23, 1919.

While initially returning to Woodstock after his discharge, a little over a month later, he immigrated to the United States. According to his naturalization papers, George entered the United States on a Canadian Pacific Railway train at Detroit, Michigan, on May 28, 1919, before moving to Ohio to work as a carpenter. On November 2, 1925, George married the love of his life, Edith Ellen Gray, in Franklin, Ohio. The couple would go on to have two children: a daughter named Ellen Mae Le Cras and a son named Edward George Le Cras. George became a naturalized American citizen on February 4, 1927.

After working in Ohio as a carpenter for more than 40 years, George and his wife retired to Daytona Beach, Florida. He passed away there on May 4, 1978, and was buried in Daytona Memorial Park Cemetery.

(I don't have his actual obituary yet, so I might add more biographical information at a later date.)

Steve Fracul's 1940s Wyandotte County Kansas Sheriff Special Deputy Badge

This is a 1940s Wyandotte County Kansas Sheriff's Special Deputy Badge that belonged to Stephen J Fracul. It is marked as being made by H. C. Liepsner & Company of Kansas City, Missouri. I picked it up a few weeks ago.

Steve's Story:

Stephen John Fracul, known as Steve, was born on December 22, 1902, in Hermansville, Michigan, to Nicholas and Helen (Fratzel) Fracul. He attended Menominee High School until his Junior year before relocating with his family to Kansas City, Kansas in 1920. In Kansas City, he started working at Adler’s Department Store.

On July 9, 1942, Steve left Adler’s temporarily to enlist in the United States Army. He served as a combat medic in Sicily and Italy with the 45th Infantry Division, displaying exceptional bravery during the Battle of Anzio, earning a Silver Star for his unwavering care of wounded comrades amidst heavy artillery fire. He concluded his service on May 23, 1945, holding the rank of Technician Third Grade. Alongside the Silver Star, he received a Combat Medical Badge and three Campaign Stars.

Returning to Adler’s in Kansas City after the war, he worked there until retiring in 1981 at the age of 78. Not slowing down, at 84, he fulfilled his lifelong dream of attending college at Johnson County Community College (JCCC), earning a General Education Development degree in 1986. He also wrote for the JCCC newspaper, performed skits for children, won a statewide writing contest, was an active member of VFW Post 846, held the position of Historian at the American Legion Dwight Cowles Post 370 in Overland Park, and worked as a Special Deputy Sherriff for the Wyandotte County Sherriff Department. He also enjoyed playing golf and attending Chiefs games.

Steve passed away on Friday, August 17, 2001, at Delmar Gardens in Lenexa. He was buried at Mt. Calvary Cemetery alongside his parents and two siblings and was survived by one niece and many friends.

Dr. George Harold Stanfield Ramsey, Canadian Field Artillery, World War I

George Harold Stanfield Ramsey was born on December 19, 1893, in Toronto, Canada, to William James and Mary Edith (Stanfield) Ramsey. He was one of three children born to the couple. In 1913, Ramsey began studying medicine at the University of Toronto but left in his second year to enlist in the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

According to his attestation document, Ramsey enlisted on March 29, 1915, in the 26th Field Battery, 7th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery (CFA) with the rank of Gunner. Ramsey received basic and specialized training in Canada, and England, and was then transferred to the 23rd Howitzer Battery, 5th Brigade, CFA. On March 16, 1916, Ramsey embarked for France. He served in combat at Messines; St. Eloi; Ypres; and Kemmel before being struck in the left cheek by a bullet that exited the right side of his jaw during the Battle of the Somme near Pozières, France, on October 6, 1916. After spending several months in military hospitals, Ramsey was discharged on July 29, 1917. Ramsey returned to his parents' home in Toronto to recuperate before enlisting again on November 14, 1918. However, his second enlistment was not to last, and he was discharged two days later on the grounds that his services were no longer needed.

After his second enlistment, Ramsey spent several months working as a logger in the Canadian North Woods before beginning a career in commerce. In 1926, Ramsey returned to the study of Medicine at McGill University. He finished medical school in 1928 and was awarded a Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery (MDCM) degree after completing an internship at Toronto Western Hospital in 1930. Ramsey then moved to New York to study Radiology with Dr. Stafford Leak Warren at the University of Rochester. While studying in the United States, Ramsey met and married a 25-year-old nurse named Catherine Brantley on September 9, 1932. The union produced three children: Mary Ellen, Catherine Ann, and William Brantley Ramsey.

In 1933, Ramsey moved his family back across the border to serve as a Radiologist in Stratford, Ontario, and then in Regina, Saskatchewan. In 1937, Dr. Warren asked Ramsey to return to the University of Rochester as an assistant Professor. Ramsey was promoted to Chief of the Division of Diagnostic Radiology in 1940, and he became a full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Radiology in 1948. During his time at Rochester University, Ramsey made major contributions to the development of pantopaque radiology and the creation of cinefluorographic equipment. After retiring in 1960, Ramsey worked as a consultant in the Medical Department at Eastman Kodak.

Ramsey passed away from a heart attack at Strong Memorial Hospital on April 30, 1965. He was survived by his wife, his three children, and one sister, Miss Eleda Ramsey. In recognition of his lifelong interest in teaching, his family established the Ramsey Memorial Fund to aid in the instruction of physicians interested in Radiology.

09/06/2024 UPDATE - I reunited this Ramsey's British War Medal with his Victory Medal. New Photographs coming soon. 

Company F, 39th Aircraft Repair Squadron, United States Air Force - Order and Roster

I recently discovered an order dated November 20, 1952, addressed to "F" Company, 39th Aircraft Repair Squadron of the United States Air Force. This particular company was situated at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. The order includes a comprehensive roster of the members in F Company. I am sharing this information here with the intention of aiding genealogical research. My hope is that someday, a relative of one of the individuals listed on this roster might come across it through a Google search. This would provide them with insights into their relative's service in the Air Force.

HEADQUARTERS, 12TH BATTALION, FORCE “A”

APO 942, U.S. Air Force

SPECIAL ORDERS)                             20 November 1952
NUMBER 11)                                      EXTRACT

X             XX           XXX        XX           X

5. Eff only upon the sounding of an alert or when ordered into field positions for tng by CG, AAC, the folg Amn, USAF, 39th Acft Rep Sq, Depot, are asgd the folg dys w/Co "F", 12th Bn, Force "A":

THIRD PLATOON

M SGT THADDEUS J. LEMANSKI  AF69777140      Platoon Ldr         Carbine
T SGT WILLIAM C. RITTER            AF13030903      Platoon Sgt         SMG
A/2C GENE H. LIMPF                       AF15434420      Runner                 Carbine
A/3C JAMES B. HOUSE                    AF15449766      Runner                 Carbine

1ST  SQUAD

S SGT WILLIAM H. JOHNSON       AF13279719      Squad Ldr            M1
L/2C ROBERT D. SLADER                 AF16354129      Rifleman              M1
A/2C DONALD L. LAWRENCE        AF15457041      Rifleman              M1
A/B HARRY G. SIENKIEWICZ         AF16224491      Rifleman              M1
A/2C GORDON L. O'BRIEN             AF12382993      Rifleman              M1
A/2C RICHARD G. WILLIAMS        AF19400537      Rifleman              M1
A/2C WILSON J. ELDER                    AF16327463      BAR                        BAR
A/3C DUANE H. FELDEUREGGE    AF16394665      Asst BAR              M1
A/1C DONALD R. RATHEURN       AF16372930      Asst Squad Ldr   M1

2ND SQUAD

S SGT CHARLES J. MCGEE              AF16331600      Squad Ldr            M1
A/3C WHAYNE T. WISNER              AF15258700      Rifleman              M1
A/2C MEVI N G. DI DEUM             AF19418974      Rifleman              M1
A/3C JAMES B. ZIELINSKI               AF13391093      Rifleman              M1
A/3C ORBIE L. CULPEPPER            AF14454148      Rifleman              M1
A/3C CLIFTON R. SMITH                 AF19405410      Rifleman              M1
A/2C DONALD E. WEST                   AF17322095      BAR                        BAR
A/3C MAURICE R. GRASSO           AF11235890      Asst BAR              M1
A/1C BARNEY M. CALVERT            AF18390563      Asst Squad Ldr   M1

3RD SQUAD

S SGT JAMES L. REYNOLDS            AF44106650      Squad Ldr            M1
A/B BOB L. BLACKWELL                  AF27505575      Rifleman              M1
A/3C DONELL TAYLOR                     AF16392673      Rifleman              M1
A/3C HERBERT DAVIS JR                 AF35202174      Rifleman              M1
A/3C KENNETH A. STIEHLER         AF12393992      Rifleman              M1
A/2C RUSSELL D. PETERSON         AF12344865      Rifleman              M1
A/3C JOHN R. MASNIC                   AF17233577      BAR                        BAR
A/2C BERLYN R. SCHMIDT             AF16376273      Asst BAR              M1
A/1C PAUL D. DEADMOND           AF17274609      Asst Squad Ldr   M1

Par 5, SO 11, Hq 12th Bn, Force "A", dtd 20 Nov 52 (Cont'd)

THIRD PLATOON, COMPANY "F"

4TH SQUAD       

A/1C RICHARD A. POWELL            AF17275932      Squad Ldr                            Carbine
A/2C BILLIE L. JOHNSON                AF19388705      Gnr .50 HMG                      Pistol
A/2C MAURICE C. WOOLF             AF17298775      Asst Gnr .50 HMG            Carbine
A/3C NICHOLAS J. SIMONETTA   AF12409937      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C EVERETT S. KILDOW              AF19400614      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C ROBERT A. SCOTT                  AF18382057      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C ROBERT J. SUFFILL                 AF11226242      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C MAURICE M. STONE             AF17291604      Gnr .30 LING                       Pistol
A/2C ROY L. NORRIS                        AF19422539      Asst Gnr .30 LMG             Carbine
A/30 JAQUIN CORONA                   AF19421973      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C FRANK M. MORELLI              LF15457490       Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/1C JAMES R. TREADAWAY         AF14394600      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/3C RICHARD L. HENES                AF15459718      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/3C ROBERT C. PINSON               AF23439942      Gnr .30 DIG                         Pistol
A/2C THADIOUS OZLANSKI          AF12345581      Asst Gnr .30 LMG             Carbine
A/3C RICHARD E. OWEN                 AF11228057      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/3C HARRY F. MCGINTY               AF14338650      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C DAVID H. HENDRICKSON    AF17334078      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
A/2C JACK C. HARRIS                       AF18378316      Ammo Bearer                     Carbine
S SGT FREDERICK BRUCE               AF14353827      Asst Platoon Sgt                 SMG

Par 5, SO 10, cs, this Hq, is rescinded.  

X             XX           XXX        XX         X                                            

BY ORDER OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRUMFIELD:                                            

                                               

OFFICIAL:                                           

HAROLD L. FURLOW                                       
Captain, USAF                                   
Adjutant

DISTRIBUTION:

110 - 39th Acft Rep Sq, Depot                              

Exploring the Story Behind a Stately Residence: Unveiling the Legacy of 206 East 44th Street

Delving into the history of a building is like turning the pages of a captivating novel, each layer revealing intriguing tales and hidden gems. People embark on this historical journey for various reasons, whether it's to breathe life back into a structure through restoration, secure its place on the esteemed National Register of Historic Places, or simply satisfy their curiosity. Imagine the allure of unraveling the secrets woven within the walls of a place frozen in time.

Picture this: a grand, two-and-a-half-story, eight-bedroom house stands tall at 206 East 44th Street, nestled within the Southmoreland Historic District in Kansas City, Missouri. This dwelling, known as the B. C. Christopher Residence, beckons us to uncover its rich past. Designed by the prominent architectural firm Root & Siemens, which was spearheaded by Walter Clarke Root and George M. Siemens, this house embodies the architectural finesse that shaped Kansas City's skyline. The same firm is also responsible for iconic structures like the John Deere Plow Company Building, Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing, and the Country Club Christian Church.

A masterpiece born in 1903, the B. C. Christopher Residence was lovingly crafted under the watchful eye of Charles F. Ettwein. Its Richardsonian Romanesque style captivates with a façade adorned in textured square stones, crowned by a grand Romanesque arch embracing the main entrance. The house boasts a distinctive red tile-hipped roof adorned with eight charming dormers, while wide-rounded Roman arches grace the first-floor windows and alternate entrances. A short tower, complete with a Balistreri-window and conical roof, adds an enchanting touch, while a stone balconet and stately chimneys complete the visual symphony.

Benjamin Campbell Christopher

Enter the protagonists: Benjamin Campbell Christopher and Ada Stanley Christopher, the original occupants who embarked on their residence's journey in July 1904. They left behind their previous abode, possibly marred by the 1903 flood. Benjamin, a respected businessman, held the reins of B. C. Christopher & Co., Kansas City's oldest securities brokerage. The torch of ownership passed from Benjamin to Ada and then to their daughter, Lelia Christopher Harris, upon Ada's passing in 1937.

A portrait of Judge Harris Brown hanging in his former court room.

Lelia and her husband, Harris Brown, breathed life into the residence, with Harris presiding as the judge of Division 4 of the Circuit Court of Jackson County, Missouri. A remarkable connection led Harris to this prestigious position through none other than the political powerhouse Tom Pendergast. Harris, a close friend of President Harry S. Truman, held contrasting roles, navigating politics while shaping legal landscapes. Interestingly, he authored a decision in 1928, using the doctrine of separate but equal, to bar African-Americans from the Swope Memorial Golf Course. This contentious verdict was later overturned, underlining the evolving societal landscape.

The pages of history turned, and Lelia continued to grace the residence until her departure in 1964. The house then embarked on a new chapter under different ownership, becoming a living testament to the narratives it carries.

In the end, this tale of the B. C. Christopher Residence is more than bricks and mortar; it's a tapestry woven with stories of success, friendship, legal prowess, and societal change. As we trace the footsteps of its inhabitants, we're reminded that each structure we encounter has a life all its own, waiting to be explored and celebrated.