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established in 1849. Vol. XC1X No. 144FAIRFIELD. IOWA1HFairfieldersMakeMusical HistoryCOLORFUL 30-YEAR HISTORY M ARKSDIVISION BAND AND DANCE OCHESTRABy HELEN JACKSON Ledger Staff WriterThere’s u story behind the Red Bull patch which decorates the music stands of Fairfield’s 34th Division dance band—a story that goes back 30 years and covers three continents for one of the most colorful histoHes ever written by a musical aggregation.The National Guard division band, parent organization of both the famous Kh.vthm Majors and today’s dance orchestra, dates back to November,1918.The only break in its existence was immediately following the war when all National Guard units were disbanded. It was soon reorganized however. And so, fornearly thirty unbroken years, though its musician personnel has changed; older musicians giving way to younger blood, it has al-I ways maintained a standard ofI music that has characterized it asy^aie of the really good bands oflowu.The band has done much to advertise Fairfield in surrounding states as well as Iowa. In acknowledgment of excellent service, it has been awarded plaques and citation.’..This was the history of the organization thut found itself atCump Claiborne in February, 1941. It was there that the Rhythm Majors, famous offspring of the band, came into being. In response to requests for a bit of swing music, nine of the band members formed an orchestra to play for dances. When the band which had become a part of the first A E.F., landed in Northern Ireland with the first contingent of American troops, the orchestra through the special service department, played a number of variety shows for the entertainment of those troops.English people had ENSA shows, similar to our USO, which were Mut to Ireland for the pleasure of the British soldiers and later, for the Americans. A popular vaude- .'ville act, Forscythe, Seamon, O’Farrel, now tops in the entertainment world in London, took their show to Ireland at their own expense. The Rhythm Majors furnished the musical background for the show As a result, they Joined the act on a tour, making 26 appearances.When the show returned to Lon-don, the orchestra helped to dedicate the Washington Red Crossclub at 11 o’clock on the morning of July 4 The members of the orchestra were the first G I.’s to stay at the club.Litter in the day, they played at a tea party given by Mrs. John YVinant. wife of the American ambassador at Grosvenor house, off famous Grosvenor Square. They also furnished the music for the officers dance held in the house that evening.’Hie next day, July 5. the orchestra headlined an all-American show at the beautiful Palladium theater in London. For an EnglishIIi(Today’s 34th division dance band | in London are shown: Front row. I Bottom picture shows the presentleft to right—Wayne Wise, direct- 'dance band; front row, left to rightmg: Merle Simpson, Donald Hart- Dillon Lowell. Wavne Heston. Paul man. Dominic Prochaska, Max Jaccbson, John Jackson and Elvin I t'ai l*‘ntt'rLowe. Back row—Richard Willey,Gordon lluhe, Wesley Hamm, Orenis an outgrowth of the Rhythm Mu-famous dance band oi Worldjors,War II. Two members of the original band are now playing with thepresent organi/ation.Above in picture, taken of the Rhythm Majors at the PalladiumRaymond West andJanie Bowe minister. Rear Bill Young, Dale Dillavou, Forest Me-Wier and Bud Warner Pianist, not Glasson, Charles Danielson and Ho-shown is Willard Johnson,waid DcKalb.actor to be billed at tlu Palladium, pel Is the same as when an American artist finally hit- Broad-is the absolute top. followed a fifteen day tour group that was rapidly be-lam ais throughout t h e At the completion oi theway. ItThenfor the comingcount rvnon. Forest McOlasosn. Harold V.Willits, Robert B Bnckey. Wayne Maddix. Harold McChesney, Ralph C. Witthoft, all from Fairfield.Those Irom other communities wen Willard C. Johnson, John S Pereival, Walter J LaPoint, Clyde M Lee, Frank Paradi o. Dominietour, the orchestra returned to Ire- Prochaska and Richard Willey.land, where they December, 1942.stayed untilWhen Frank Simmons wa; given a physical discharge in May, 1943.Following is a list oi the men who the band lost its last charter mem-landed in Ireland as members ol the 133rd Regimental Band: FrankN Simmons, John C. Jackson. Don-laid W Hamm, Glen Little. Donald Hartman, Merle Mclntire, Gordon W Ruhe, Richard S Warner. William Littlejohn, Elvin Lowe, Roy E.Harris, Charh I Ruble Dale Dillavou. Max Jacobson. Roger Mor-ber. For twenty-four and a half years he had served the organization as a bass drummer and was the last d the original 28 musicians who had been sworn in at the start Six more months would have given him his 25-year service stripe.The band was issued an invitation to make a tour oi the Green-keener mental associated withe $ tFOR DADeve, if wasl \ llll Its my s| \|)\v, JI M 21MiniatureGift Shoes InSpecial BoxIf you don’t know Father s exactsize, and style of his choice . . .give him these miniatures and 1him do his own choosingRoblee shoe shown at $10.9).two-tone and ideal for summer.Others $7.95 and $9.95.Other Gift Suggestions:* rom was* LOAFERS* PHOENIX SOCKSHOUSE SLIPPERS“ MEN’S GOLF SHOES•ROCHESTER WOOD SHOE TREESmA fit for ivory Footwich Naval Academy, located on the Thames river. The academy is comparable to our Annapolis. As the boat load of officers and enlisted men travelled on the Thames, two flags were waving, the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack. A river patrolman ordered the boat to low-lt; r one of them a onlv one could bewliving on the river boats. Every American on board felt his heart beat a little harder as, in honor ol the guests on board, the English flag was lowered and the American flag stayed aloft.In the meantime the band members were participating m another type of activity. On Christmas day, 1942, they were part of a shipload that sailed out of Liverpool harbor, heading for the battle areas of Africa. It was not a happy Christmas for those men. Their thoughts were of loved lt;*u*s at home, brought in focus bv memoriesIKtlu* day.By New Year*worse, The nostalgia of the men was much too evident. It wasthen the orchestra acted. They*put on a slum that magically gave the men a lift. Part of it was from former rehearsed pcr-formanees, part of it was original. Soon there was laughter and the loneliness was more bearable.When the hip was five miles out of Oran, il was rammed bv anotherASomehow, the vessel had turned in front of the second ship and was struck squarely m the band section 'I hi section wa on I) deck, directly on the water line. The impact tore a hole m the side of the ship.Forest McGlasson of Fairfieldand Harold McChesney of Pack-wood. were the only iwo membersof the band in the compartment at the time, but neither was injured Lights were out, the engine room was flooded and orders were issued to abandon ship. This did not haveto be done however, but the shiphad to be towed into dock the next day. The instrument and equipment belonging to the water soaked and hud out to dry.In Atrica, orders were received to move to the trout. Before the move, however, th« orchestra was ordered to Oran to play lor a series of how. and dances. They took part in the dedication of the first Red Cros club m Africa, which wa established in a theater A? the information desk of theclub, the group met Don Newel! Ottumwa high school coach. Newell was awaiting an assignment but did not know where he was to be ent. Two days later the local group left for the front. They travelled 800 mile and one of the fust men they saw upon reaching then destination was Don Newell Hlt;‘ had been assigned to the 34th division as Red Cross officer. He remained such until he returned to the States.During the African campaign, the men filled several jobs, served as regimental command post guard and helped bury American dead.At the end of May, the instruments were again brought out and orderedto be out in rondition for theband to represent the Americantroops in the victory parade in Tunis They were selected from several American bands. During(Continued on page two.)*»band weretn be laid
Newspaper Details
Fairfield Daily Ledger
Fairfield, Iowa, US
Thu, Jun 17, 1948
Page 25
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USA 02 May 2020
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