The following article was found in the February 4, 1943, Lowell Tribune on page 2, column 1:
Son and Grandsons in Service
In conversation with Mrs. Samuel Sirois of Shelby, she gave us information on the whereabouts of her son and two grandsons, who are in the service. Her son, Samuel, Jr. is attending officers' training school, at Camp Croft, S. C. Her grandson, Cpl. William Dorsch is a member of the 318th infantry band at Camp Forrest, Miss., and his brother, Pvt. Adam Dorsch is attending machinists' school at the Kansas City air field.
This Lowell Tribune article was found in the February 1, 1945, issue (page 2, columns 2-4):
The following letter was received recently by Mrs. Sam Sirois, Sr., of Shelby, from her son, Lt. Sam Sirois Jr., former Crown Point attorney:
Somewhere in Germany
Dec. 29, 1944
Dear Mother:
I am writing this from a cellar in this frontline German town which our battalion is holding. We have our company C.P. here (Command Post for you civilians). These German cellars are wonderful. Practically every house had one and they are not flimsy like we have in the States. The walls and ceilings are several feet thick and they save us a lot of digging. The house overhead is pretty well shot up, but it was a nice one at one time--3 stories and an attic. There are plenty of stoves around, also coal (briquets). So we rig up stoves in the cellars and carry beds and mattresses down, and live quite comfortably.
We had a nice Christmas dinner--turkey and trimmings. The kitchen upstairs is still intact and has a brand new range in it. For Christmas dinner, we had rummaged through the houses and found a clean tablecloth, dishes, and silverware. We just had everything on the table and were sitting down to eat at 3 p.m., when wham, Jerry shells started to land around the house. This irritated us no end, since there had hardly been one shell come in all day up to then. We said "to hell with them, they're not going to spoil our dinner." So we stayed upstairs and ate our Christmas dinner. Every 4 or 5 minutes a couple of shells would crash in the street or the yard. That's what you call having dinner under difficulties. They did not hit the house, but one hit the barn.
I got the fruit cake you sent. It was swell. Ernie says he sent me a couple of boxes of candy, but I haven't received either of them yet.
I was a little sick yesterday--upset stomach and a little fever, but I'm all right now. Several of the boys are having the same trouble. I think it's due to all the rich food we've been getting in Xmas boxes. When your stomach gets adjusted to K rations, it won't stand this luxurious food!
I mailed Ernie a German pistol and sent Earl a box with a few things I had picked up. One of the boys found a swell violin in one of the houses. My music teacher used to tell me how good German violins were, especially those made by Stainer! Imagine my delight when this one turned out to be a Stainer! I have a bow and 3 strings for it. One of the boys has a mandolin which he found, so we have our own orchestra. I was playing the fiddle this afternoon when three shells came in. So I'm beginning to think it draws fire! I guess those Krauts don't appreciate good music. Ha! ha!
