This Day in Norwood History-December 13, 1944-Wesley Donaldson On First Ship Into Antwerp

Wesley Donaldson of Norwood is a member of the crew of the first liberty ship to dock at Antwerp. Of the event, an AP dispatch dated Antwerp, Nov. 30, says:

“Helmeted American- doughboys from supply outfits which fed the troops in Africa and Normandy, have taken over here what probably will be their last jobs of the European war.

“They have pitched in. shoulder to shoulder with 18.000 Belgian civilian dock workers, to rush supplies to the Allied forces, well on their way. to wrecking the Ruhr.

“The ‘James B. Weaver,’ first Liberty ship to dock here, carried modern dock equipment to augment the cranes and other machinery German troops left intact when they fled about two months ago.”

Donaldson, AB, in the Merchant Marine, makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Frank Worster of 316 Washington street, where his 11- year-old son, Wesley, also lives.

Born and brought up in Norwood. Donaldson has added up four trips across the Atlantic. He was last home in March.