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Special Collections Research Center
William & Mary Special Collections Research CenterEarl Gregg Swem Library
400 Landrum Dr
Williamsburg, Virginia
Business Number: 757-221-3090
spcoll@wm.edu
URL: https://libraries.wm.edu/libraries-spaces/special-collections
Finding Aid Authors: Susan Riggs.
Administrative Information
Conditions Governing Use:
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Conditions Governing Access:
Collection is open to all researchers. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, such as the Virginia Public Records Act (Code of Virginia. § 42.1-76-91); and the Virginia Freedom of Information Act (Code of Virginia § 2.2-3705.5). Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. If sensitive material is found in this collection, please contact a staff member immediately. The disclosure of personally identifiable information pertaining to a living individual may have legal consequences for which the College of William and Mary assumes no responsibility.
Preferred Citation:
Ralph L. Conner Papers, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Acquisition Information:
Purchased
Biographical Information:
Pfc Ralph L. Conner, of the 5th Army Headquarters, the Battle Casualty Section, was stationed in Europe, mainly Italy, during World War II. He was the son of Leon W. Conner and Emma La Normandin, who were probably later divorced since in 1944-45 Emma was living in Everett, Massachusetts and Leon, and possibly a second wife, were living in Quincy, Massachusetts.
The surname is sometimes spelled La Normandin or Normandy
Ralph Conner's last residence was Everett, in Middlesex, Massachusetts, per Social Security Death Index. Further information about this individual or organization may be available in the Special Collections Research Center Wiki: .
Scope and Contents
Letters from Pfc Ralph L. Conner of the 5th Army Headquarters, the Battle Casualty Section, to Mrs. Emma La Normandin, his Mother, and Miss Blanche La Normandin, his Aunt, while he was stationed in Europe, mainly Italy, during World War II. His letters suggest he is a file clerk. His Mother and Aunt appear to live together in Everett, Massachusetts and his Father, and possibly a second wife, live in Quincy, Massachusetts. Letters describe the weather, his experiences and reminiscences of home.
Includes one letter from James W. Moore to Mrs. Normandin, Ralph Conner's Mother,and an undated photograph of a boy on a sofa holding a toy Santa Claus.
Significant Persons Associated With the Collection
- Conner, Ralph L., November 18, 1923 to April 15, 2001.
- Moore, James W.
Container List
May 10 Ralph to Blanche June 10 Ralph to Mom June 27 Ralph to Mom and Blanche Says that they will receive a letter from someone important. June 28 Ralph to Mom and Blanche Prices high. July 11 Ralph to Mom and Blanche December 17 Ralph to Blanche and Granny December 31 Ralph to Mom "I am in office work. Not on a truck."
January 1 Ralph to Blanche Tells how much money he can send home to help Blanche. January 12 Ralph to Mom and Blanche Behind the lines doing office work. Collection of candy taken for the Italian Kids. January 19 Ralph to Mom January 20 Ralph to Mom Set sail from Newport News, Virginia one year ago today. January 20 Ralph to Mom Remembers other Christmas times, playing with family outside and with the dog, racing to open presents. January 22 Ralph to Mom January 23 Ralph to Mom January 25 Ralph to Mom January 25 Ralph to Blanche Italian Women do the laundry. The sky is filled with planes and the ground with soldiers. Given [?] pills to build up resistance to malaria. January 26 Ralph to Mom Talks about his military glasses. January 31 Ralph to Mom "news is getting good, so I am keeping my fingers crossed." January 31 Ralph to Mom Still in Italy.
February 1 Ralph to Mom "Positive that my plans will come true in the future." February 13 Ralph to Mom Instructions on cleaning fountain pen. February 13 Ralph to Blanche February 15 Ralph to Blanche February 15 Ralph to Blanche February 19 Ralph to Mom His Dad in a car accident, "I never thought I'd see the day that dad would smash up." February 20 Ralph to Mom Received letter regarding the Quincy Paper. Reason he is listed as from Quincy is because that is where Mom and Dad live but "you" folks are listed as my beneficiary. February 20 Ralph to Blanche Section 1 February 20 Ralph to Blanche Section 2 February 20 Ralph to Blanche Section 3 February 20 Ralph to Blanche Section 4 February 20 Ralph to Mom February 27 Ralph to Blanche Thank you for picture of Sugar, the dog. On "another vacation at the rest center."
March 4 Ralph to Mom Letter from Sugar opened when he received it: "maybe we are being cased as spies. Or maybe they want to make sure you are not sending me Winchell's columns." March 7 Ralph to Blanche Picture of Sugar, his dog. March 7 Ralph to Blanche March 8 Ralph to Mom Handwritten letter, not a V-Mail. Talks about movies and radio programs. March 11 Ralph to Mom March 15 Ralph to Mom Sent home all V-mail letters that he received from 17 January 1944 to March 1, 1945. Mail getting through in ten days. March 21 Ralph to Blanche Mentions being proud of picture of Sugar, his dog.
May 14 Ralph to Mom In hospital with chickenpox May 15 Ralph to Mom Second day of convalescing May 16 Ralph to Mom Third day of convalescing(2 copies of letter) May 17 Ralph to Mom Fourth day of convalescing. Two Russians in his ward. May 17 Ralph to Blanche May 18 Ralph to Mom No more censoring. He is in the 24th general hospital in Florence, Italy. His Unit was stationed in Florence September 26, 1944 until 28 April. His Unit is currently in Po Valley. Landed in North Africa at Oran February 3, 1944 and then to Naples February 6 and then box cars to 2nd replacement depot. Off train at Caserta and then trucks to Depot. May 18 Ralph to Mom While working in Fifth Army, the Battle Casualty Section, he typed and filed cards. Card in our file for every "fella" hit in the Italian campaign. May 22 Ralph to Mom Reading Tom Sawyer. Lots of Planes overhead and soldiers. May 28 Ralph to Mom Marble pool and tennis courts near hospital. He may end up in replacement depot because his unit is so far from here. People in town do his laundry.
"I'll be out of fighting for some time, maybe for good, I hope. You don't know how tough it is up there unless you been told before and then you can't imagine what there is to it."
Photograph of a boy on a sofa holding a toy Santa Claus.