A Saga in Letters

 

I recently purchased a package of vintage WWII era ephemera from an online auction, you can see my “unboxing” video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm8dK7bYmbg

I unboxed more than I expected, because the packet contained some letters telling an interesting story about the loves of a Lt. William Glenn Saunders.

 William was born 26 Jul 1918 in Crenshaw County, Alabama[1] to John William Saunders (1886-1975) and Mattie Maude Taylor (1887-1967).[2] William was working as a newspaperman when he filled out his WWII draft card, listing his wife as Helen Page Saunders.[3]

 William went into the Air Force and by 1945, he was a Lieutenant stationed in Texas.[4] The earliest letter in the bunch is from Helen, written 19 Jan 1945. With beautiful penmanship, she describes life with their new baby. She misses her husband and wishes he “could walk in the door right now and see (baby) playing with his rattlers”, a sentiment shared by military wives the world over. She also mentions remembering a girl with a patch over her eye, picking up a train of thought from a previous correspondence and hopes they can find a place to rent with a kitchen. She signs it affectionately.

 The second letter in the bunch is from “Mama”, she tells “Glenn” that Helen was over on Saturday, and they had quite a “time with the baby was fun tho”.[5] Mama reports that Annie Belle came yesterday and fell down the steps on the way out and had to take a taxi home. Annie Belle apparently has a new husband who “is not good looking”. (Mama is blunt!) She wishes Glenn could see his brother “Little John” and tells him to write when he can.

 In 1944, a plane William was piloting exploded[6], and he endured an ongoing back injury.[7] Somewhere along the way he met Stanislave Rose Dabrowski, an Army nurse who served with several Air Force units during WWII, eventually earning the rank of Captain.[8] The next letter reveals that a love story is unfolding, as “Stan” writes to her “Dearest” in a letter dated 25 May 1947 addressed to William at Walter Reed Hospital.[9] After reports that her aunts cocker spaniel has died, it is clear that they are in the throws of intense passion. “I’d like to go thru life a little ahead of you, and take away all the unpleasantness, and discomfort, in your way. I’d like to be able to make your life one of ease + bliss, all the way thru”.

 William wrote to Stan on the Saturday afternoon of 29 Jan 1949 in a three-page typed letter, it is clear things have not worked out with Helen and he is unsure about his financial situation. He describes mundane everyday life from the home of his parents, since “Mama and Little John are lying down listening to the radio”, he is deeply affected by his love for Stan, writing of his need for her.

 Stan and William married and had children, living a life together in Montgomery, AL until Stan’s death in 1994.[10] William died 1997, he had returned to a career in the newspaper business after his stint in the Air Force. His obituary states that he was “active in politics” and served on the Presidential Campaign for Strom Thurmond.[11]

 Helen also remarried and became Mrs. John Ira Thomas. She died in 1970.[12]

Funny what can turn up in an online ephemera auction. I’m glad I was able to research who these people were and tell a little of their story. I didn’t post the full texts of their intimate accounts out of respect for any living family who I’d love to reunite with these letters. Contact me at jen@weirdgenealogy.com if you have any information.

 

 

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[1] U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947, entry for William Glenn Saunders, Ancestry.com, accessed 24 Apr 2022

[2] 1930 United States Federal Census, Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama, entry for household of John W Saunders, Ancestry.com, accessed 24 Apr 2022

[3] U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men

[4] Helen Saunders to “My Dearest One”, dated 19 Feb 1945, privately held by Jennifer Stoy

[5] Mattie Saunders to “Dearest Glenn”, dated 19 Apr 1945, privately held by Jennifer Stoy

[6] The Montgomery Advertiser, 7 Jun 1997, Obituary for William Glenn Saunders, Newspapers.com, accessed 24 Apr 2022

[7] R. Arnold Griswold, M.D. to Lt. General George E Stratemeyer, dated 31 Mar 1947, letter regarding back injury of Lt. William Saunders, Ancestry.com, accessed 24 Apr 2022

[8] The Montgomery Advertiser, 6 Feb 1994, Obituary for Stanislave Rose Dabrowski Saunders, Newspapers.com, accessed 24 Apr 2022

[9] Stanislave Debrowski to “My Dearest”, dated 25 May 1947, privately held by Jennifer Stoy

[10] Obituary for Stanislave Rose Dabrowski Saunders

[11] Obituary for William Glenn Saunders

[12] The Montgomery Advertiser, 19 Apr 1970, Obituary for Helen Page Thomas, Newspapers.com, accessed 24 Apr 2022