I have posted this
piece of “Americana” for several years, and always to great response. It’s the
true story behind “Kilroy Was Here”, as well as a story about the Christmas
spirit. I hope you enjoy it…
“Kilroy Was Here” has been a part of the American
vocabulary ever since World War Two. And the story behind it is not often told.
In a way, it involves Christmas, so I figured this was a good time to tell the
story as I understand it.
During the Second World War, when the United States was
turning out ships and planes at a rapid rate, "checkers" were
required to make the rounds of the shipyards and factories, inspecting the
work. When they were done they placed a mark, with chalk, on the item to show
that it had passed inspection. The appropriate riveter/welder would then get
credit for the work, and hence, paid accordingly.
Soldiers began to see these marks, along with the words
"Kilroy Was Here", wherever they went during the war. Wherever they
went, they assumed they were the first, only to be greeted by the words that
had become a slogan. There were now several Kilroy’s from coast to coast. But
only one was the original.
There is even a story about the Potsdam Conference in
1945 which concerns “Kilroy.” A modern outhouse had been built for the
exclusive use of Truman, Stalin, and Churchill. The first person to use it was
Stalin. When he finished and came out he asked his aide, "Who is this
Kilroy?"
At any rate, fast forward a bit to the end of 1946. The
Second World War was over and the shipyards were shuttered. James Kilroy was
facing a bleak Christmas, with no toys for the kids. That's when he first heard
of the search for the real Kilroy!
The photo above, from the Boston American, dated December
23, 1946 shows the Kilroy family with a trolley car in their front yard. They
had won the trolley in a radio contest put forth by The Transit Company of
America, offering the trolley as a prize to the individual who could prove that
they were the "real" Kilroy. Of the forty odd men who made that
claim, only James Kilroy was able to produce officials from the shipyard, and
even some of his fellow riveters, to prove his claim. Having won the prize, he
now had to get it home! And there was a blizzard coming! So, the real story
involves how it almost didn't make it on time.
But, with the help of the Transit Company of America, and
a local railroad spur, along with a truck and a crane, the trolley was
delivered on time, where it served many years as a playhouse for James Kilroy's
children. It was a Christmas they would never forget. And that, as Paul Harvey
would say, is the rest of the story.
He is still with his GIs wherever they are. We have Sightings which continue today in the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan. See them at KilroyWasHere.org. Scroll down for Kilroy produced videos including an interview with James Kilroy's family. You will find all the answers to your questions about Kilroy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the link and the comment. Yes, Kilroy was still around in the 1970's when I was in the Navy. And I admit to drawing him on the bulkhead of many a cargo hold....
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