As you have heard us say many times before, the Times Herald and other local newspapers are a great resource for genealogists. Recently, former Board President and volunteer Charles Kelly, found a detailed obituary for Lieutenant James W. Slater of Norristown.
April 28, 1943, Times Herald, HSMC Microfilm Collection
Before entering the US military in 1942, Lt. Slater lived at 45 East Spruce Street. He served in the Quartermaster Corps and was first assigned to Camp Lee, Va, where he received his commission. Lt. Slater was later stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey and Langley Field, Virginia.
His last assignment was in El Paso, Texas where he fell ill with tuberculosis in November 1942. Lt. Slater was kept at William Beaumont General Hospital for a while before ultimately being transferred to Fitzsimons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Two weeks before his death, his family was notified that his condition was critical and if possible, they should travel to Denver to see him. Sadly, only his half-brother George Lawrence Samuels was able to make the trip to see him. Lt. Slater died shortly afterward at the age of 25.
April 28, 1943, Times Herald, HSMC Microfilm Collection
His obituary described him as being a “brilliant student, orator, and writer” when he was a student at Norristown High School. Before he enlisted, Lt. Slater was preparing to write a book. The article in the Times Herald unfortunately did not say what the book was going to be about.
Lt. Slater’s funeral service was held at B. L. Reid Funeral Home at 222 East Wood Street on Monday, May 3, 1943. He was buried at Tremont Cemetery in Norristown.