"Kilroy Was Here!" - Page 2

Col. Hessler · #26 (**permalink**) January 5th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Hey Otto. Ever find that NY Times article?

Blazkowicz · #27 (**permalink**) February 2nd, 2006, 05:38 PM

*bump*

Otto, any new developments?

Blazkowicz · #28 (**permalink**) February 15th, 2006, 06:10 AM

Check your email Otto...

Otto · #29 (**permalink**) March 28th, 2006, 06:12 AM

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.

Otto · #30 (**permalink**) March 28th, 2006, 06:42 AM

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 ]

Fortune · #31 (**permalink**) March 28th, 2006, 10:20 PM

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

Col. Hessler · #32 (**permalink**) April 3rd, 2006, 10:39 PM

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.

Otto · #33 (**permalink**) May 8th, 2006, 06:37 PM

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.

Otto · #34 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2008, 06:22 AM

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.

**SouthWestPacificVet** · #35 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2008, 07:32 AM

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.

**Ron Goldstein** · #36 (**permalink**) January 3rd, 2008, 07:59 AM

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

wolfpaw518 · #37 (**permalink**) December 10th, 2008, 08:11 AM

In the book "An Army at Dawn", about the Allied invasion of North Africa, there is mention of kilroy was here, showing up on walls in Tunis as soon as it was overrun by American forces. This would be "pre" ETO if true.

neil

Fgrun83 · #38 (**permalink**) April 15th, 2009, 06:19 AM

In the video game Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway one objective they have for each "level" is finding 3 kilroys spread out.

Patches · #39 (**permalink**) May 27th, 2009, 07:48 PM

I think this is the first I became aware of this phenomenon, I was aware of the "_______ was here" but not that something like it originated from WW2. Great thread!

brndirt1 · #40 (**permalink**) September 16th, 2009, 07:57 PM

I ran across an interesting piece of trivia concerning "Kilroy was here".

When the Fort Knox depository was completed and the gold started moving into the depository rooms, it was 1937. When the gold was removed for re-weighing many years later (in the sixties I think), graffiti was discovered behind the gold, on walls that hadn’t been seen since 1937. Many were just signatures of the workers who had completed the walls, and even workers who had moved the gold in and covered the walls behind the gold in 1937.

And guess what was on the middle of one of the walls, at about knee level! Nothing less than "Kilroy was here" with the fingers, nose and head sticking over a fence.