History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past, trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes, and kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days. ~Winston Churchill

17 February, 2012

Home on Leave

A series of photographs following a young sailor home on his first leave. Columbus, Montana, 1942. Photos by J. R. Eyerman.



Our sailor packing up on board his ship, with crewmates watching. Source



An enthusiastic welcome home at the airport. Source



Driving with girlfriend and parents, in the days before seatbelts. Source



Our sailor shows off his new muscles to his parents. Source



Joking around on the front porch with adoring sisters. Source



Waking up in his own bed. Source



A visit to the grandparents. Source



Our sailor with his father and grandfather. Source



A luncheon held in his honour by the Columbus Civic Club. Source



Hanging out with friends (on the front porch, of course). Source



Playing in the water with girlfriend and friends. Source



Hanging out at the soda shop. Source



Visiting high school coaches. Source



Walking the dog. [if those place names mean anything to anyone, do let me know, I'd love to know where this is!]. Source



Mailing a letter (why this mailbox, who knows). Source



Helping with some machinery. Source



Hanging out with shaving friends (why not). Source



A bit of fishing (Hemingway's "Big Two-Hearted River", anyone?). Source



Quiet time with the girlfriend and radio. Source



Bugging mom and sis in the kitchen. Source



Buying movie tickets for a Yank in the RAF. Source



Dancing with the girlfriend. Source



And time in a dark car with the girlfriend... (I assume the photographer left for a bit after this ;) ). Source



Goodbyes at the end of leave. (let's hope he came home again). Source

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great series of pics. Using Google maps I calculate that the picture with the city distances on the sign was most likely was taken in or near Columbus MT

Anna said...

Terrific, thank you!

Anonymous said...

Loved it all, thank you ! Also, Absarokee is in the great state of Montana :)

Anna said...

Thank you! I'm not sure now why didn't just google that, but the information is great to have! :)

Alohajon said...

February 2012 Home on Leave asks where is this picture of a sign of several towns, and it is in Montana, north of Custer Gallatin National Forest, between Billings and Bozeman, but to the south of them. Is northeast of Yellowstone National Park.

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