Today I honor the men in my family who served in the Armed Forces and fought in WW1 and WW11.
Today I honor the men in my family who served in the Armed Forces and fought in WW1 and WW11.
Maybelline family Veteran William Preston Williams, WW1.
This Memorial Day marked the 5TH anniversary of my father's death and brought to mind the War Heroes in the Maybelline Family. Here are a few pictures of my grandfather Williams Preston Williams as he prepared to leave his home and family and fight for our Country during World War l.
This is what Chicago looked like when my grandfather William Preston Williams joined the Navy in 1917. He was just 18 years old with visions of being a War Hero. Like so many boy's from the Lost Generation he imagined the war would quickly end and he'd return unscathed by the ravages of battle - only to be greatly disillusioned with a broken spirit.
This is what was going on in the Maybelline Family at the same time. Tom Lyle introduced Maybelline to the public as Silent Film became popular and Silent Film Stars were seen on screen with heavily made up eyes.
Theda Bara "THE VAMP" - 1917. This is what was going on in Hollywood when WW1 broke out. Women began to be conscious of the their eyes and buy Maybelline. An interesting fact - Maybelline was sent in an unmarked package insuring the buyer her privacy since Maybelline was so frowned upon at the time.
Screen from the Silent Film WINGS. This is what Preston was heading into. He was a rear gunner on one of those Flying Sticks in the sky.
Preston was leaving his family to go fight the enemy, an enemy he and so many young American boys thought would be easy to destroy. It was far from easy, and Preston came home with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, never to be the same again. Here he is with his little sister Eva on the left, Frances Allen, Tom Lyle Williams Noel James Williams and Bennie Gibbs.
Mabel Williams on the left with her brother Preston, Helen, one of the first Maybelline models, Frances Allen Williams, Bennie Gibbs and Tom Lyle Williams in front of his new "PAGE "Convertible in Chicago.
Tom Lyle enlisted as well but was denyed service because he was the sole supporter of his entire family according to his draft card in 1917. Noel was married to Frances and also supported the family managing the Maybelline Company. He might have been too old for service at the time.
My father, Bill Williams (W.P. Williams Jr.) in the Philippines during WW11. Detailed in my book.
Maybelline Ad during WW11.
My Father's first cousin, Noel A. Williams, joined the Navy right out of High School.
Noel A. in his Navy uniform during WW11.
My father's first cousin - (on his mother Evelyn Boecher Williams side) - Bill Stroh. Bill Stroh, is seen here on the right, standing with two Naval buddies on their Ship during WW11.
Bill Stroh in the middle. I have done several posts about Bill Stroh and his 1965 Shelby 350 Mustang racing car.
Bill Stroh, during WW11. Want to know more about Bill Stroh, check him out in my archives.
1917 Maybelline became available through mail order.
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| Preston with his parents Susan and TJ. His mother was grief stricken after already losing her first son, Pearl to TB and the thought of losing another son to War was too much for her. TJ on the other hand was proud his son was fighting for his Country like so many Patriots that went before him in the Williams Family. He also thought the Navy might straighten his wild card son up a bit. |
Tom Lyle enlisted as well but was denyed service because he was the sole supporter of his entire family according to his draft card in 1917. Noel was married to Frances and also supported the family managing the Maybelline Company. He might have been too old for service at the time.
Maybelline Ad during WW11, promoting War Bonds.
My father, Bill Williams (W.P. Williams Jr.) in the Philippines during WW11. Detailed in my book.
Bill Stroh in the middle. I have done several posts about Bill Stroh and his 1965 Shelby 350 Mustang racing car.
