Hey Otto. Ever find that NY Times article?

*bump*

Otto, any new developments?

__________________
<--The man

Check your email Otto...

__________________
<--The man

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.

__________________

WWII Forums Rogues Gallery - send in your photo!
Comments, questions or feedback? Contact me at

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

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/No...471366-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 ]

__________________

WWII Forums Rogues Gallery - send in your photo!
Comments, questions or feedback? Contact me at

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

thats pretty neat, i see the sip is in good condition by looking at the pics...i hope to visit the salem soon

__________________
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." -Winston Churchill

Thanks for the update Otto. Well, I guess that resolves that mystery. Good work my friend. [img]graemlins/salute.gif[/img]

By the way, sorry I haven't been to the forum in a while. I'll try to be aroud more often.

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.

__________________

WWII Forums Rogues Gallery - send in your photo!
Comments, questions or feedback? Contact me at

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

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.

__________________

WWII Forums Rogues Gallery - send in your photo!
Comments, questions or feedback? Contact me at

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance." Socrates

I remember Kilroy, he had been quite a few places before me, he was on a troopship, a C47, a couple of latrines, and once he was even behind jap lines.

__________________
All the Best
Jack

Kilroy was also here in my Army Album on Page 72
Ron Goldstein's Actual Army Album

In case you wonder why my cartoon is referred to as "Chad" may I refer you to Wikipedia ?
Kilroy was here - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Attached Images

Page 72 of my album.jpg (7.6 KB, 4 views)

__________________
During the period October 1942 to January 1947 my wartime "Cook's Tour" took me to the following places:
North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Austria, Egypt & Germany.
My units were the: 49th Light Ack Ack Rgt.RA and
The 4th Queen's Own Hussars.