My father, Lt. Ernest M. Chamberlain, left for Fort Lewis, Washington on December 31, 1941. He was training as an officer in the US Army 76th Field Artillery Brigade. My mother, Agnes Fay Barney Chamberlain, and my brother Martin left the York Apartments at 7th East, 3rd South on January 30, 1942. They moved to her parent’s home at 2657 Alden Street, Salt Lake City, Utah. Dennis Chamberlain (aka me) became part of The Chamberlain Story later this year.

Ernest and Fay Chamberlain wrote to each other almost every day during World War 2. Fay saved every personal letter, card or announcement she ever received. She therefore preserved the story of a family in war time 1942, who desperately wanted to be together until the inevitable phone call.

When that call will come, no one knows.

 

Ernest as Officer of the Guard, February 1942

The stories of Ernest Chamberlain as Officer of the Guard tell us a lot about him. He was very serious about his work and put his whole heart into every project in which he was involved. Nevertheless, things didn’t always go as planned.

Ernest graduated from the Officer training course on Sunday, February 15, 1942 and returned to Field Artillery 183rd headquarters. The next morning, February 16 the 76th Brigade was ordered to perform guard duty for all of Fort Lewis.¹

Two groups of guards, each with two officers, had a tour of 48 hours on duty and 48 hours off. Ernest’s partner officer was called away, so Ernest did double duty as both Officer of the Day and Officer of the Guard. He was in charge of about 160 sentries.²

After each shift, Ernest inspected all 18 posts. Some of his observations bothered him so he called for a meeting with his guards after their first 48 hour tour.

We were at war and a west coast military base was very vulnerable. Guard duty was not merely a training exercise, they were actually defending the fort against possible attack. Ernest stressed the importance of doing what’s necessary in event of emergency.

One post was especially vulnerable to sabotage. The water tanks, on a hill were surrounded by trees and dense foliage. “On that post after dark,” Ernest instructed his men, “do not march around that fence like a tin soldier! Be innovative and vary your routine. If I see and challenge you before you challenge me you are not walking your post in a military manner. And if I leave your post without being challenged you will have plenty of explaining to do”.¹

Ernest didn’t realize what he was creating.

The next night was cold and dark. As Ernest conducted his inspections, he came to the post he hated most, the water tower. The thought of guards with little experience and live ammunition added to his anxiety. His jeep slowly ascended the narrow winding dirt road toward the tower.  Suddenly, from the the darkness behind them cracked the command, “HALT!”²

The driver slammed on the brakes. Ernest hurled toward the windshield. They stopped the motor and shut off the lights as the guard commanded. Ernest got out of the jeep. “I shook my leg to see if anything would fall out of my pants”, he wrote.²  They then marched along the road as instructed. Suddenly, from the bushes ahead, a light flashed into their faces.

Lt. Chamberlain was now identified.

The guard then stepped out of the bushes and came to “Present Arms” as a salute to the officer. The young guard looked like a boy scout, no bigger than his rifle with its attached bayonet. Now that Lt. Chamberlain was identified another guard fifteen yards ahead emerged from the shadows. “They certainly had me covered”, Ernest wrote.²

On later inspections, Ernest left the jeep and walked up the trail to try to surprise them. Invariably, as he walked along the fence, a guard with a rifle almost in his back would shout the challenge, “HALT!” It was in a different place each time.¹  “I was right proud of my boys”, Ernest wrote, “but so help me it was a real thriller diller.”²

Later, one guard told Ernest that everyone wanted that post “so they could scare the hell out of Lt. Chamberlain.¹

Chamberlain’s guards during an air alert and black out

During the 48 hour guard duty tour of February 25th and 26th Ernest inspected every post two or three times. By 11 pm of the second 24 hours Ernest was exhausted. He returned and told the Sergeant of the Guard not to wake him for anything but an emergency.¹

At 8:00 am someone shook him awake. “The Post Headquarters Adjutant wants to see you in his office immediately”, said the sergeant. “Did you know there was an air alert and blackout last night?” the sergeant asked as they rushed toward the jeep.

“I heard some sirens but quickly fell back to sleep”, Ernest replied.¹

Ernest arrived at headquarters and entered the office of the Adjutant, Major Garver.³

Major Garver: “Lt. Chamberlain, did you know there was an air alert last night?”¹

Lt. Chamberlain: “Yes sir.”

Major Garver: “Was it your guards who were guarding the Officer Family Barracks?”

Lt. Chamberlain: “Yes sir”.

Major Garver: I have received numerous complaints about the action of your guards. After the sirens sounded the guards pounded on each door with the butt of their rifle and shouted “Come out immediately or I’ll come in after you”. They didn’t give them time to dress but rushed them out in their night clothes. When everyone was out they herded them to the 3rd Division Parade Ground and forced them to lay on the grass in spread eagle position! What do you have to say about that?¹

“Spread eagle on the Parade Ground?”, Ernest gasped. “That does seem rather excessive.” He grasped and groped for words. Finally he said, “Well sir, I am only thankful that I am here to account for this possible over action rather than a lack of action with a lot of dead people in a bombed out barracks.”¹

The Major stared straight ahead without expression or comment. He  then continued: “Last night were the guards at the warehouse under you?“¹

Lt. Chamberlain: “Yes sir”.

Major Garver: I had two calls, one from Union Pacific Railroad and one from the Engineers Union. They claimed that when one of their engines crossed the Olympia-Tacoma highway and slowly entered the warehouse area, a guard stood in front of it and flagged it to a halt.^1,4

The guard said, “This is a black out, turn out your head light”. The engineer refused. The guard said, “Either shut it off or I’ll shoot it out”. The engineer continued to stall. The guard marched around to the front and raised his rifle. The engineer hit the switch in time to save the light. The train remained there until the “All Clear Signal”.^1,4

The engineer was very unhappy. The train was late and not allowed to move without its light. Also the railroad cars were blocking the highway and traffic was backed up half way to Tacoma on one side and half way to Olympia on the other. Lt. Chamberlain, what do you say about that?^1,4

A very nervous Lt. Chamberlain: “Well sir, I do not know of any instructions we have received pertaining to trains. However, our instructions pertaining to vehicles were that all vehicle lights other than cat-eyes were to be turned out during black outs”.¹

When Ernest was dismissed, he felt sure he would soon be released as Officer of the Guard. Nevertheless, as he walked out of the office he believed he heard the major chuckle.¹

He was not released. In fact, he never heard any more on the subject.¹

The World in March 1942

The world was not a very inviting place in March 1942. Nevertheless, I had been invited and was on my way. Gratefully, my destination was the USA, and to loving parents Ernest and Fay Chamberlain, and to the peaceful home of my grandparents, Archie and Livonia Barney.

In March 1942 the world was a mess and our freedom was in serious peril. The Imperial Empire of Japan scored a major victory in the naval battle of Java Sea. The Allies lost 5 ships and 2300 sailors while Japan lost 36 sailors. Japan attacked and occupied the towns of Salamaua and Lae and secured airbases on the northeast coast of New Guinea. After victory in Borneo they were well on their to way to occupy all of Dutch East India, (Indonesia). They surrounded the Philippines. General Douglass MacArthur narrowly escaped with his family and staff. In Australia he declared, “I shall return.”

A German submarine near Cuba torpedoed and sank the USS Texan an American Cargo Ship. At Riga, in Nazi occupied Latvia, 3740 men, women and children (Jews, Gypsies and those who opposed the occupation) were taken into the nearby woods and shot.⁵

This was the state of the world when I arrived.

March 16, 1942

On the morning of Monday, March 16, 1942 Fay Chamberlain opened the trap door in the bathroom floor and dumped the laundry through the hole. It fell into a basket on the floor in the basement. “At nine am”, she wrote in a letter to her husband, “the pains started and were every ten minutes apart. I went down and did the washing without telling anyone about them.”⁶

The washing machine hummed a soothing rhythm as the clothing swished back and forth. She took the clothes out of the water, placed them piece by piece through the ringer, then pinned them on the line to dry.

In her letter she continued: “By 11:00 the pains were quit hard and I decided I might as well tell them and get it over with.“⁶ Fay did not like to be the center of attention, especially during times of distress. Therefore, she always understated her pain and discomfort. “The pain got pretty good and I called the Doctor. He said ‘Go to the hospital Immediately!'”⁶

She then took a bath and “leisurely packed” her things.⁶ She didn’t want to get to the hospital too soon and have to stay overnight without Ernest there. Her pains were now 4 minutes apart.

Her father was at work. Archie Barney recorded in his journal: “At about 1 pm Fay called me from home, asked if I could take her to the hospital.”⁷

Archie came home and got her and Livonia and they where on their way. There was one minor detour. Fay had to stop at the Bank in downtown Salt Lake to get money to pay the hospital. “So Dad took me to the bank to get the money. Wasn’t I crazy? I could have had it on Main Street! I hadn’t told them how hard they were and Mom and Dad figured there was plenty of time. We got to the hospital at 2:30”⁶

Archie and Livonia were unaware they were carrying a ticking time bomb. Fay preferred they were not present for the main event. So she told them everything was fine and sent them into town to run their errands. “Just as they left the room the water broke.”⁶ She called the nurse at 3:10 and at 3:15 she was in the delivery room.

The nurse gave her ether to be sure the doctor could get there in time. “The doctor got there and I remember vaguely, him calling Fay Fay trying to bring me back to this world enough to bring the baby.”⁶ This she did and the baby, (Dennis Dean Chamberlain), was born at 4:02 pm.

“Mom was sure mad when she got back… She was happy it was over but mad at me for sending her away.”⁶ Archie wrote with a hint of disgust: “Fay told us to take our time not hurry. The baby boy was born between 3:30 and 4:00 pm while Livonia and I were at Z.C.M.I.”⁷

Choosing a name

Mother chose the name Dennis Dean and had to name me before Dad’s letter with his approval arrived. Grandma Livonia suggested the name Lewis as in Fort Lewis.

Mother and Dad both very badly wanted a daughter.⁸ Dad was heading his letters, “Dearest Fay, Martin and Fayette.” Mother said Fayette sounded like she had swallowed something. Mom liked Judith or Susan but Dad didn’t like those names. They both liked Sandra Lynne shortened to Lin because of length of Chamberlain.

The Description

Me: Well, I turned out to be a boy, and this is the one time in my life that I was very happy to disappoint my parents.

Mother to my father: “How do you like the idea of having another son?“⁶

Me: She knows the answer to that question, but I am sure she will come to my defense.

Mother continues: “It seemed so funny for awhile. He is so different from Martin, that he seemed like someone else’s baby.”⁶

Me: No Mother! Don’t try the “He was switched at birth” line.

Mother: “It has taken sometime to get used to him. He looks like you in miniature. His nose, mouth and chin is just like yours.”⁶

Me: That’s better, Mom. A little flattery can’t hurt.

Mother: “I don’t know what his eyes are like. I’ve only seen them open once. They are very dark. I believe they will be brown. That would be nice as Martin has such pretty blue ones. His hair is one inch long and curls on top. It is now dark, but looks as though it would go light like Martin’s did. He is still red as a beet, so I can’t tell you of his complexion.”⁶

Me: OK, Mom that’s good! Let’s quit while we are ahead.

Mother: “Oh yes- he has dimples too. He’s so fat he’s just darling!”⁶

Me: Oh geez.

Two packages from Dad

Dad sent two packages with implicit instruction that they were not to be opened until the occasion of my birth and Martin’s second birthday on March 20. Dad was bemoaning the fact that he would not be there to see Martin open his special gift. Mother was still in the hospital on 20th when she wrote: “Gee, darling, you have nothing on me. I don’t get to see Martin on his second birthday either”.⁶ They both had to see Martin open his gift through photographs. His gift was a little Army uniform.

Mother got to open her gift four days earlier. It was a small, silver round music box with a powder puff under the lid. The nurses always played it when they came in her room to tend to her. Mother loved it and was thrilled Dad sent it to her.

She missed Dad a lot especially at visitor hour. Her only consolation was that all other young mothers were in the same situation. Mother was good at hiding her emotions. However, after the birth she exposed her feelings while under anesthesia: In her letter to Ernest she wrote: “Mother tells me I cried my heart out for you while I was coming out of ether. I guess that is what I had been storing up. I don’t allow such goings on when I’m conscious.”⁶

Long hospital stays for child birth were customary at this time. On March 26 Fay’s father Archie picked her up and took her home. On the 28th, my grandfather Harry Chamberlain visited the Barneys and, for the first time, had a good look at the baby. “He is so thrilled with Dennis… and very heartily agrees with us that he looks like you.” Fay wrote to Ernest.

The First Reunion, May 1, 1942

Four months of separation was hard on them. Ernest was lonely, especially on weekends. He wished Fay was there so he could take her to the occasional big dance party in town for the officers. Fay and Ernest didn’t drink alcohol, but at least Ernest could have some social interaction with the men he worked with everyday.

Unfortunately, these parties were not stag. It was rationalized that under the circumstances wives would realize what the men were going through and not mind if there husbands enjoyed an evening with some innocent female companionship. Ernest chose to stay on base. “Their evenings may start OK, Ernest wrote, but when they last so long, (some got back as late as 6:15 am) its not so innocent”.⁹

As soon as Dr. Anderson gave Fay the OK to travel, she could move to Washington. Ernest and Fay both realized the complications. Fay would leave the comfort of family and friends and often would only have the company of her two small children. Ernest may only get off the base once or twice a week. He could be in the country for a year, or he may be called to leave tomorrow. No one knew for sure, perhaps not even the Generals.

On April 8 Fay wrote: “I’m getting anxious and excited about coming up now. I am frightened every time the phone rings and it is for Mrs. E. M. Chamberlain. I’m afraid you are calling to say good bye. I don’t think I could stand it if I didn’t get to see you and have you see your sons before they grow up too much. If we could just be near you for a while. If they will leave you in the country we will be by you where ever it is.”¹⁰

Ernest wrote on April 12: “Let’s throw caution to the winds… If we gamble and I see you for but a moment, no money was ever spent better.”¹¹

The Blessing

Fay suggested that May 4 may be a good day for her to come after their baby was blessed on Sunday May 3. It was customary at the time, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to bless babies at Fast and Testimony meeting on the first Sunday of the month. A group of men of the Melchizedek Priesthood hold the child. One of the group pronounces upon the child its name and gives a blessing.

Ernest was quite adamant that if any arrangements for the blessing had been made, he would change them. “I’m planning on naming Dennis if it is possible… The blessing and naming of a child is a father’s privilege, almost a duty, and one I will be very slow to relinquish.”¹¹

On May 1 my granddad Barney took Mother, Martin and Me to the airport. For Martin and me, the flight to Seattle was our first plane ride. We left Salt Lake City at 4 pm. Seven hours later, at 11 pm, a plane from San Francisco to Salt Lake crashed north of Ensign Peak killing all 17 aboard.¹²

Fay’s old boy friend and former fiance, Andy Anderson was on the same flight as Fay. He very kindly helped Fay get her children off the plane. Andy was the son of the family doctor.^13,14

When we met Dad at the Seattle airport he was on crutches. He had injured his ankle while running an obstacle course.

Ernest found a vacancy at Holly Auto Court on the main highway about two miles east of central Olympia Washington, and about 15 miles southwest of Fort Lewis. It had three rooms for $45 a month. Ernest would take a bus between Fort Lewis and the motor court, as neither Fay nor Ernest had a car.

After making arrangements with the Bishop of the local ward, Dad gave me my blessing at the Holly Auto Court. My grandparents Harry and Annie Chamberlain came up for a visit in May 1942. So, they may have been present at the time of the blessing.

Long Days for Fay, May 22, 1942

On May 22, after three weeks together, Ernest had to leave Fay and the boys in the motor court for about three weeks. On the 25th Fay wrote: “These have been the longest three days. I don’t know what the next two weeks will be like. Maybe if the sun would shine it would help, huh?”¹⁴ Fay noted that it rains whenever she puts the clothes on the line and soaks them.

Fay was plenty busy but her routine was the about same every day: “Arise and dress- dress Martin- get breakfast, Martin and I eat- do dishes- bathe baby- nurse baby- wash diapers and etc.- bathe Martin and put him and Dennis in bed for a nap- while asleep I do ironing, scrubbing, cleaning or what not- get lunch- kids awaken- Martin and I eat- nurse Dennis- do lunch dishes- take shower and get cleaned up- put kids in buggy and go to store- come home tired and start supper and look for  you– because it is 7:00- Martin and I eat- do dishes- rub Dennis and get him ready for night- goes to bed- Martin and I pick up toys- undress Martin- prayers- Martin’s in bed- try to write some letters- Still haven’t written to everyone I promised.“¹⁴

One evening, Fay went on a hot date with her “latest boy friend- Martin.” It was a picture show double feature “Blondie” and “Remember Pearl Harbor.” It was Martin’s first movie and he loved it. He sat through the entire show without moving. Martin liked the war movie best. They ate candy and afterwards they had ice cream. A neighbor, Mrs. Mary Rivisto took care of Dennis.

Martin’s big boil

On June 8 Fay worried about Martin’s ear which had an infected insect bite on the top edge. “It  looks like a huge boil. It has been there for a week and gets bigger every day. Today it is worse than ever. I was hoping you would come home. I don’t know what to do about it and I am so tied down alone.”¹⁴

She was hoping for and expecting Ernest’s return on the 7th and had a special Sunday dinner prepared. “We had a delicious late dinner, steak with onion and tomato sauce, the trimmings, and strawberry short cake.” She told him to let her know when he was actually coming and to send her a menu. “We will have it ready for you and we’ll celebrate when you finally get here. It had better be the 15th as I can’t take it much longer”¹⁴

Captain Werlie, a doctor and resident at Holly Auto Court, helped Fay treat Martin’s ear.¹⁴

New Orders

Ernest returned on about June 15th, so the family was together again. They were in Olympia for their fourth wedding anniversary on June 29 and on Fay’s birthday on July 11. They later moved to Yakima for a while.¹⁵

While in Yakima, Ernest received orders to take a Communications Course at Fort Sill in Lawton, Oklahoma. He was to arrive “not earlier nor later than 29 Aug 1942”. The course would terminate in about three months. “Upon completion of this TD (temporary duty) they will return to (Fort Lewis) their proper station.”¹⁶

The Chamberlain family left Yakima, Washington and arrived in Salt Lake City between August 17th and the 24th. This may be the time Ernest’s father drove up and brought them back to Salt Lake. Apparently they stayed a few days with Annie and Harry Chamberlain in their Salt Lake home.¹⁵

Fort Sill, Oklahoma August 29, 1942

Ernest left Salt Lake heading for Fort Sill on August, 28. His train was late and he just barely made his connection in Denver. On the Zepher from Denver a bunch of Boy Scouts got on at some small town. Therefore, Ernest didn’t get any sleep until 4 am. He arrived at Quanah, Texas at 5am. This connection was also late. He ate breakfast there and got on the train to Lawton, Oklahoma at 10 am. “How I got (to Fort Sill) on time is still a miracle but I made it”, he wrote.¹⁷

He studied hard on his courses, and the tests for electricity, map reading, telephone, radio and secret codes were fairly easy for him. However, Morse Code not so much. They told them this code would be easy for those with musical ability. The Chamberlains were gifted in musical talent. Unfortunately, Ernest was not present when they were giving out this gift, “When all the dits and dahs start coming at me I darn near go nuts”, he wrote.¹⁷

Their first car, September 19, 1942

Ernest missed his family and was counting the days until they would be together. They wanted to get together as soon as possible. However, this would be expensive and was not without problems. Martin needed to have his to tonsils out in Salt Lake and then recover. Also, Ernest wanted to buy their first car. This might solve some problems, but cash would be tight for a while.

Ernest heard about a car in Lawton that sounded pretty good. It was 1941 Plymouth 2 door sedan, 15,000 miles with five practically new tires.  But it was $1000. On Saturday, September 19, 1942 at 0700 hours it was raining, “pouring down like the overflow at the top of a dam”. Therefore, the army cancelled the scheduled classes. Ernest jumped in his roommates car and drove to town. After looking at several cars, he chose the Plymouth. It had nice seat covers and a radio and the dealer lowered the price to $925. On October 9 Ernest finally squeezed $20 out of the budget for the auto insurance so he could take the car off the dealer’s lot.¹⁷

Fay was excited about the car and wanted to see pictures and know more about it. Hopefully, she could meet Ernest in Oklahoma and come back with him. “When am I coming to see you?” she asked in mid October. However, this dream was fading. The car down payment, insurance and $50 monthly payments caused them to reconsidered their plans to get together.

Big plans for Thanksgiving and Christmas

The trip from Oklahoma to Fort Lewis was about 2400 miles and they only had $35 saved. They needed $100 more for food, hotels and misc. Even a trip to meet Ernest half way, like in Denver, would add to the expense. “The money alone is not important, Ernest wrote, but the fact that to get to Fort Lewis will probably take all or more than we can save up and after we get there it will be December. I want this Christmas, if we are still able to be together, the best we have ever had”.¹⁷

In one of the many times they expressed their love and longing to be together Ernest wrote:. “I’m glad you think of me a lot because I am always thinking of you too. Thirty-seven and a half days before I leave here. So often lately I have laid awake for hours at a time thinking of you and the boys. It is going to be wonderful to be together”.¹⁷

If he can get some leave time after his courses finish, Ernest will be in Salt Lake City for Thanksgiving. He suggested some things to do while there. “First go to the temple, one evening meal at your folks, Thanksgiving dinner at my folks, Thanksgiving dance at the U of U or Old mill (if there is a dance). Besides these, I have and idea for the first night”.¹⁷

The big day finally arrived and on Friday November 20, Ernest packed up, took half his stuff to the railroad station, and loaded it on the train. He graduated from the army Communications Course that evening.

The next morning he went to the ration board to get a little extra gas. He then pointed “Lena” (the car) toward home and he was on his way. He bade goodbye to old Fort Sill with dreams of being with his family on Thanksgiving Day. And, then on to his “proper station” Fort Lewis. Together with his little family, he was looking forward to December in Washington and “the best Christmas they ever had”.¹⁷

Salt Lake City, August 29, 1942

The day after Ernest left Salt Lake for Fort Sill, tragedy struck the Barney-Adams family. Norma Miller died in the hospital in Salt Lake. She had had an operation two weeks previous and then returned to the hospital. She was the nine-month-old baby daughter of Livonia Adams Barney’s sister Jessie Adams Miller and her husband Ross Miller who lived in Tremonton, Utah.¹⁵

Jessie and Ross came down from Tremonton that day, (Aug 29) while Archie Barney made arrangements with the board of health. Livonia rode with the Miller family on the return ride to Tremonton. Archie took little Norma in his car. They arrived quite late. The funeral, two days later, was on Aug 31. Livonia stayed for a few days after to give comfort to her sister.

Archie left for Salt Lake early the next morning and arrived at 9 am. He found the family at home well and happy. Granddad Archie Barney took Martin to work with him where he enjoyed learning and talking on the Dictaphone.

On September 9, Livonia came home from Tremonton, and they had a fine birthday dinner for her. Livonia’s gifts were a Bird Cage from the children, a Canary from Mrs. Thomas, a fountain pen from Archie and an apron from Mrs. Smith and Patsy.

September 10, Fay, Livonia and Martin went to Utah Woolen Mills to buy baby blankets. Livonia was ill and nervous after coming back from Tremonton.

The checking account

September 26 in the evening, eight people packed into Archie’s Ford to go for a little ride. There were three children and five adults, Livonia, Fay, Martin, Dennis, Patsy, Mrs. Smith, Ellen and Archie. Archie drove up Parley’s Canyon and down Emigration. “The autumn colors were beautiful indeed”.¹⁵

Ernest sent Fay a beautiful winter coat which thrilled her. However, the weather was so nice this General Conference weekend that she could not yet wear it. She said she would wear it when she came to meet him. Unfortunately this dream was fading as expenses for the new car took all their savings.¹⁸

On October 9 Fay wasn’t happy to hear they were low on money. Fay joked that she had 4 cents. Her biggest concern was they were both writing checks on the same bank account. Coordination was done in letters to each other. “I already paid a few bills before I knew. Will they put me in the can?” Fay wrote.

Also, Dennis was growing out of all of his clothes and did not yet fit Martin’s old ones. And Martin needed an operation to remove his tonsils in Salt Lake before they could get together. Ernest kept reminding her to take care of this. Fay, however, may have been reluctant since her niece had just died following surgery.¹⁸

Dean, Dan and Don, October 9, 1942

Fay’s younger brother Dean Barney had two close buddies, Dan and Don. They were a pack of adventure loving seventeen-year-olds. Dean’s mother Livonia had gone again to Tremonton to visit her sister Jessie. “Its a good thing she did”, Fay wrote. “Dean, Dan and Don decided to stay out of school yesterday. They said they were going to hitch hike to Tremonton.”¹⁸

Fay, however, suspected they had bigger plans. “Anyway they didn’t come home last night and haven’t yet. Their folks are getting worried about them. I suppose they will be home soon if they are not in California or Washington or somewhere.”¹⁸

This drama left Ernest hanging for weeks. He finally wrote and asked what happened to Dean, Dan and Don. On October 22, Fay wrote: “Oh yes, Dean and the boys came home the next night. They had been sleeping in a haystack.”¹⁸

Dean’s dreams of adventure will soon come true, as Ernest and Fay’s hopes and careful plans crumble and blow away like dust in the wind.

Martin’s tonsillectomy, October 21, 1942

Martin had his tonsillectomy on October 21. And on October 23 he was well enough to go to Grandma Annie Chamberlain’s birthday celebration. Lois, Harvey and Sharon were there and everyone had a good time.

On Saturday October 24, the family went to the zoo. They wanted to show Martin the animals. Fay hoped he wouldn’t be scared of the monkeys this time. “We just left the zoo”, Fay wrote, “You should have seen Martin’s eyes. They were just popping. He enjoyed it”.¹⁸

Martin’s surgery and quick recovery opened the way for the family to move together to Washington.

Thanksgiving in Salt Lake, November, 26, 1942

Ernest had been granted ten days leave beginning November 22 and was due at Fort Lewis on December 2.¹⁹ He arrived in Salt Lake City about the 23rd and was again united with his family. His hopes for their time together went well, at least his plans for Thanksgiving Day on^.November 26. His father, Harry Chamberlain wrote to Ernest, “We had a dandy Thanksgiving together”.²⁰

 

 

The drive to Olympia Washington, November 29. 1942

When it was time to leave for Washington, they loaded Fay’s sewing machine and supplies into the car. She was an excellent seamstress and liked to modify her own clothes and make clothes for the children. She was delighted that she would have something she enjoyed doing when Ernest was away.¹³

Ernest, Fay, Martin and Dennis got into their new Plymouth and headed north through Idaho. They visited and stayed with Fay’s relatives along the way. Dated photos indicate they visited Bill and Eva Williams Nichols and Aunt Nettie (Jeanetta) Adams Williams and Uncle George Williams on November 29.

When they arrived in Olympia, they found a motel along the highway near Fort Lewis. They decorated it and fixed it up the way they liked it. Fay was happy about her new home and sewing set up.

(The letters and his orders indicate Ernest checked in at Fort Lewis on December 2. However, it is unclear where Ernest was and what he did the next few days.)

A surprise move to Yakima, December 8, 1942

On Tuesday, December 8, Fay drove Ernest to Fort Lewis.  When Ernest checked in they told him his unit was in the process of transferring to the Yakima Firing Range. This was quite a surprise and quite upsetting for both Ernest and Fay because his family could not go with him. He would be away for about three weeks. Fay, Martin and Dennis left Ernest at the fort and drove back to the motel.

The next morning Ernest was frantically writing to Fay, trying to explain to her his incredible experiences of the last 24 hours. He knew she was upset. “Here is my story”, he wrote at 3 am, “I haven’t really had any sleep since I last saw you”.²¹

When Fay took him to Fort Lewis, Ernest learned that most of his unit had already gone to Yakima. They told him to hurry and get on a kitchen truck which was leaving in a few minutes.¹³ Apparently, Fay knew he was on his way to Yakima because in his letter he began his story: “We finally managed to leave at 9:20 am.”²¹

Ernest wrote to her to explain why he did not call her sooner. The 180 mile trip around Mt. Rainier to Yakima normally took three or four hours. However, not this time. Ernest wrote: “For a long time it rained heavily, then it snowed. Traveling got very slow. When we were about to the summit we were delayed two hours while a big gasoline trailer was righted up and could be removed from blocking the road. After trudging along we arrived at Yakima at 9:30 pm”.²¹

It gets worse

When Ernest got to Yakima, he walked into the adjutant’s tent to report in. The adjutant looked at him and said, “Aren’t you at Fort Sill?”²¹

Obviously not.

“I just came from Fort Sill. I finished my course there and returned to my permanent station”, Ernest replied.¹³

“We sent your orders to Fort Sill, didn’t you get our telegram?” They told Ernest that he is suppose to take another three month course at Fort Sill since he is already there. “School starts tomorrow morning, November 9, the soonest you can possibly get there is the 10th. You need to be on the next train to Fort Sill!”^13,21

Poor Ernest was a day late and $60.00 dollars short, for he had no money to buy his train ticket. “Finally, miracle of miracles, I found a fellow that would take my check for $60.00.” he wrote.²¹

Ernest felt sick. It would have been just as easy to make the trip to Ft. Sill as Ft. Lewis.

They called a driver to take Ernest to the railroad station as fast as possible. However, it was late and they had to wake up a driver and tell him to get ready.²¹

When they got to the train station Ernest found that Union Pacific, which had the most direct route, had just left the station. He then checked Northern Pacific. NP would give him a grand tour of the country. Nevertheless, it will still get to Oklahoma before the next UP. He bought his tickets on NP.²¹

What else can go wrong?

Suddenly it dawned on Ernest that it was after 10 o’clock and Fay was back in the motel in Olympia, and that he was about to board a train heading for Oklahoma. Not only that, he didn’t know the phone number of the motel. He looked through the phone directory. There was no listing for Hi Way Motor Court or the manager’s name Rowe.^13,21

In desperation Ernest called the Switchboard in Olympia Washington. At that time all telephone service was conducted by live operators. He got connected to a switchboard operator. She was very patient and accommodating and connected him with the Highway Patrol. They read Ernest a long list of motels that are along the highway between the fort and Olympia. None of them sounded familiar.^13,22

Ernest got the same operator back and she graciously began calling each of the motels along the highway to see if they had a Mrs. Chamberlain registered there. Finally, one manager told her that the Hi Way Motor Court might be listed under the name “Gibson”. And it was.²¹ The motel name had been recently changed.^13,21

He called the number and the manager, Mr. Rowe answered. He confirmed that Mrs. Chamberlain was indeed registered there.^13,21

Where is Fay?

Ernest told Mr. Rowe he needed to talk to Mrs. Chamberlain. So, Mr. Rowe went and knocked on the door. He came back to the phone and told Ernest: “Mrs. Chamberlain is not home. The car is there, but the newspaper has not been taken in.“²¹

Ernest said: “Please give her a message as soon as you see her. Tell her I am on my way to Fort Sill and won’t return.” He then rushed off to catch the train.¹³

As he boarded the train his mind was whirling. “Where is Fay?” He worried about all the possibilities. “Had she gotten back from the post OK? Was he sure her car was there? If that was our car, why wasn’t she home?”²¹

Billings Montana, December 9, 1942

The Northern Pacific train pulled in to Billings Montana at about 3 am. It was an hour and a half behind schedule, so he missed his connection with the train to Kansas City. The next train would not leave for seven hours crushing his hope of arriving at Fort Sill on the 10th.²¹

He went to the Canteen near the station and immediately started writing to Fay. He quickly wrote a note on a post card and mailed it before the morning pick-up. The card was post marked “Billings Mont. 5 AM Dec 9, 1942”. The post card note read:

“Dearest Fay – I certainly have felt punk today worrying about you and thinking of how I messed up X-mas. Write me by airmail what you plan to do. Will send you complete letter soon as possible. Love, Ernest”.

He then composed a six page letter with the woeful details of his day. The letter bore the same post mark except for the time, which was 5 PM.

Since he missed the connection to Kansas City, he boarded the next train to Lincoln, Nebraska. The train finally left Billings, Montana and chugged its way to Lincoln where he missed his connection again.²⁴

Meanwhile at Hi Way Motor Court

The manger told Fay the message from Ernest the next morning. Last night she was exhausted and didn’t wake up when the manger knocked on the door. The paper on the porch was some free advertisements which she ignored.²²

When she got the message she felt angry and abandoned. “I don’t know whether I’m more homesick, lonesome or plain scared, but the combination leaves my quite ill”, she wrote.²³

Fay spent that afternoon at the rationing board to see if she can get gas. And tomorrow she has to go to the fort to get authorization from some Colonel. “I’m using up all my gas trying to get more gas. If I do get the gas how will I get home?²³

Fay had very little driving experience and driving alone with two small children was not an option.

Her mind was full of questions: How much money is in the checking account? Should she stay here? or go to Salt Lake? or go to Fort Sill? And how would she get there? Should she take a train and store the car in Washington? Would Ernest ever return to Fort Lewis?²³

Me: At this time, however, I really was not concerned about mother’s problems, as I had problems of my own.

Mother: “Martin is well and Dennis still has a sore bottom”.²³

Dennis saves the day

Fay was much happier when she wrote to Ernest the next day, December 11.

“Dearest Ernest. Hello again. How did you like the scorcher you received previous? I hope this one will not be quite as bad. Anyway I was happy to receive your card and am looking forward to the letter. Hope it is soon.”²³

Me: I don’t want to brag, but think I deserve some credit here for her change in mood.

Mother: “He is so cute. Dennis has learned to pat-a-cake well since you left. He sits there patting with his face beaming and really throws his hands up when he throws it in the oven. He knows just when to do it too”.²³

Me: All I have to do is pour on the charm, it works every time.

Mother: “If the baby just wasn’t so small this would all be much simpler and an easier matter.”²³

Me: Oh rats.

Dean Barney to the rescue, December 14, 1942

Fay called her folks in Salt Lake City. The long distance call was $3.00 (about $44 in 2020) which included a 20% phone tax. “Isn’t that terrible”, she wrote. However, she was pleasantly surprised that her call went through so quickly. It took only 45 minutes.²³

She told her family her sad story and her brother Dean said, “I will come up.”¹³

After her call, Fay drove to the fort to get a letter of introduction from Colonel Ericsson for the gas rationing board. “He was very nice to me” she wrote. Ordinarily she would have to come back for the letter after he had time. But instead he immediately dictated the letter to his secretary and gave it to her. He told her she wouldn’t have any more trouble getting gas for the trip to Salt Lake City.²³

Fay thought they would have to wait until payday on the 15th to have the money to buy Dean’s train ticket to Olympia. However, someone hurried things along. Dean got excused from school on the 14th and on the 15th, Dean and our family were in Seattle. They sent a postcard to Ernest:

“Hello again- Here we are in Seattle. What are we doing here? Tell you later. Dean and Howard are with us and are having a good time. Love- Fay Martin & Dennis”. (Howard Williams is Fay and Dean’s first cousin, also in the service in Washington)

Fay, Martin and Dennis were now on their way back to the home of Archie and Livonia Barney. And Dean was driving their new car and having the marvelous adventure of his dreams.

Ernest was at his wits end and mad at the world by December 16. This was the day he received Fay’s self described “scorcher.” He flunked his first test that day, but he was especially frustrated with the many futile attempts and hours he had spent trying to contact Fay. Also, the mail back and forth took so long that the situation would change. For example, by the time Ernest was upset and responding to her letter of December 10, Fay was at home in Salt Lake and the crisis was over.

Christmas Day, December 25, 1942

Plans can change fast when there is a war going on and you are in the service of your country. Only a month ago Ernest was leaving this post and well on his way to fulfilling his dream of “the best Christmas ever”. Now he is back at Fort Sill.

On December 16, he wrote a second letter to Fay in which he said, “Sorry I sent the last letter”. He told her he was trying so hard to get things straightened out so he could be with her and the boys for Christmas. He was counting on watching Martin open his presents on Christmas morning.²⁴

Fay was also very disappointed that their plans for Christmas didn’t work out:  “Every time I think of how we all have to be separated, I just wilt inside. We try so hard to be together and have what family life we can. Dennis was just beginning again to love his Dad and Martin misses you so much”.²³

Ernest and Fay are making plans to get together again after the first of the year. The housing at Fort Sill was worse than Fort Lewis, but Ernest would see what he could find.

The ever present urgency was always there as rumors abound. Ernest told Fay about a rumor that was going around Fort Lewis. It must of had some credibility for Ernest wrote: “Be sure you burn the rest of this letter when you read it, and don’t mention it to anyone.”²⁴

The letter, reconstructed from the ashes, continues:

“But here is the deal at present. They are pulling all the ropes they know, it is rumored, to get us out of here and over seas as soon as possible for the (1943) spring offensive. My orders if you notice is different from usual it doesn’t specify where we will return to. Most fellows I talk to don’t think we will even finish the course. We are one of the old outfits which have so far remained over here.”²⁴

Ernest also noted that this may just be “so much bull.”

While disappointed they would not be together for Christmas, they also recognized their blessings. “I am happy knowing you are at least near and not “over there”, Fay wrote.²³

Fay, Martin and Dennis spent a wonderful Christmas with Granddad and Grandma Barney. While Ernest went to a movie, “The Black Swan”, one which they had hoped to see together.

On Christmas Eve, Ernest wrote to Fay the following note expressing gratitude and hope for the future.

Here I am really not so far away, and above all whether I am far or near I have been granted the privilege of having three beautiful hearts tucked away safely in my bosom. And soon, God granting, I can have them all so very near to me. When the war is all over and Christmas comes around again that star on top the tree will really look like the Star of Bethlehem and truly shine out “Peace on earth, good will to men”. Then we can make up for what we miss now. Love Ernest. December 24, 1942.²⁴

To be continued….

Acknowledgments:

Thanks to Deanna Chamberlain Grant for publishing “Selected Journals of Archie Fay Barney” and DVD with the photos to make this information available. And to Lyle Brent Chamberlain for his 1984 interview with Fay and Ernest Chamberlain on DVD. And of course to Archie F. Barney, Ernest M. Chamberlain and Fay Barney Chamberlain for writing down and preserving this information.

© Copyright Dennis D. Chamberlain, The Chamberlain Story, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of the written content of this site without express and written permission from the author and owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that credit is given to Dennis D. Chamberlain and direction to  www.thechamberlainstory.com.

References:

1- Ernest Chamberlain, “World War II, Ordered to Active Duty – Guard Duty”, unpublished autobiography

2- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letter to his wife Fay Barney Chamberlain, written March 22, 1942

3- Ernest Chamberlain, unpublished autobiography. The name of Adjutant Officer is not mentioned. However, Major Garver was the name of the IX Corp Adjutant Officer in January, 1942  Ernest wrote about.

4- Fay Barney Chamberlain, Letter to her husband Ernest M. Chamberlain, March 9, 1942

5- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_1942

6- Fay Barney Chamberlain, Letter to husband Ernest M. Chamberlain, March 17, 19 & 20, 1942.

7- Archie F. Barney, Journal entry for March 16, 1942.

8- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letter to his wife Fay Barney Chamberlain, written Feb. 18, 1942

9- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letter to his wife Fay Barney Chamberlain, Feb. 26, 1942

10- Fay Barney Chamberlain, Letter to her husband Ernest M. Chamberlain, written April 8, 1942

11- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letter to his wife Fay Barney Chamberlain, written April 12, 1942

12- Archie F. Barney, Journal entry for May 1, 1942

13- Ernest & Fay Chamberlain Personal Histories, Recorded 25 June 1984 in England by Lyle Brent Chamberlain.

14- Fay Barney Chamberlain, Letters to Ernest M. Chamberlain, April 25 through May, 1942

15- Archie F. Barney, Journal entries for August 17- October 2, 1942

16- Orders from Headquarters IX Army Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash, 17 Aug 1942

17- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letters to Salt Lake from Fort Sill, Aug 29- Nov 18, 1942

18- Fay Barney Chamberlain, Letters to Ernest M. Chamberlain, October 6-21, 1942

19- Special Orders, HQ 76th Field Artillery Brigade, Yakama, Washington, November 9, 1942

20- Harry Ellis Chamberlain, Letter to E. M. Chamberlain, Dec. 14, 1942

21- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letter to Mrs. E. M. Chamberlain, Hi-Way Motor Court (Located on Highway between Ft Lewis and Olympia), Olympia Washington. Postmark: Billings Mont. Dec 9, 1942 5 PM

22- Ernest Martin Chamberlain, Jr. Ernest Chamberlain’s Early Army Years, written November, 2001.

23- Fay Barney Chamberlain, Letters to Ernest M. Chamberlain, December 10 & 11 & 20, 1942

24- Ernest M. Chamberlain, Letters to his wife from Fort Sill, December 13-26, 1942