"Kilroy Was Here!"

Yet another great find Hessler! I've added 1,2,3 and 5 to the archive, but # 4 was cut a little short, so I left it out. No worries, it doesn't ruin the sequence at all.

Thanks, it seems the list is growing a little with every day, and I'm about to another film, an old one add an old one called "Kilroy was Here".

 

Yeah, this thread, take a look at post # 1, I edit in the new info whenever I get it.

[ 09. November 2005, 10:42 PM: Message edited by: Otto ]

 

this response is a long time coming...

Col. Hessler, I did manage to get a copy of the article. It was published in 1946 and outlines how the American Transit Association identified who they felt was the original Kilroy. A James L. Kilroy, who was ship inspector in Massachusetts. The article is brief, only 270 or so words, but it rewarded Mr. Kilroy by giving him a street car to shelter his family! I'll post more info as I get it.

Blazkowicz, got the email, thanks! I'll add this to the rest.

 

A friend of mine (not Blazkowicz) sent me an email containing links to an article about the USS Salem. As you can see there are two photos of Kilroy aboard the Salem.

http://travel.canoe.ca/Travel/USA/NortheasternUSA/2006/03/03/1471366-ap.html

I've got these two (below) decent photos from the Salem, but I'd love some better shots of Kilroy. If any Forum members happen to visit the Salem please take a few shots and send them to me, I'd really appreciate it.



This info has been added to the first post in the thread...

[ 28. March 2006, 12:55 AM: Message edited by: Otto ]

 

Well actually Col. Hessler , it's not quite that simple. The actual inspiration on Kilroy can not yet, (or maybe ever) be established for certain. The NY Times article is just one lead, and there were Canadian (named Clem) and British (named Chad) versions as well. Unfortunately, as widespread as the Kilroy phenomenon was, there is no concrete evidence to verify either when or where it began, nor who began it in each country (USA, England or Canada). In England, 'Kilroy' was known as 'Chad' and his slogan consisted of "Wot no...?" The blank was usually filled in with whatever there was a shortage of or whatever was being rationed at the time. Like Kilroy, Chad's origin is obscure, but British Cartoonist George Edward Chatterton is likely to have originated it. However, James J Kilroy story seems to be the most likely point of origin for the 'Kilroy was here' phenomenon, there is possible evidence of occurrences of the Kilroy much earlier than World War II. Chad was popular in England, just as Kilroy was in the US military, but nobody (other than James J Kilroy) has stepped forward to claim him as their own invention, (there were about 25 men named Kilroy in the US military during WWII). The Canadian version known as Clem was drawn from a hapless cartoon character that looked very much like kilroy, and was probably the inspiration for the Sad Sack cartoon.

The search continues...

Also, I just added another signting to the list, a sighting in the PC game Call of Duty: United Offensive, screenshot included.

 

Two additions to the list...

I walked into the room while my wife was watching Hairspray (the original 1988 version) on TV, and saw our man kilroy on the chalkboard during a scene in class, about 1 hour into the film.

I saw an alien style kilroy on the side of a missile in an episode of Futurama, the episode was called "Roswell that Ends Well"

And I'm pinning this thread as it is getting reactivated.