Officer visits Suffolk

Frank C. Hickman, contact officer of the Regional Headquarters of the Veterans Administrator in Roanoke, today completed a five-week supervisory tour of the state with a visit to the Suffolk office, administered by Albert E. Cates. Regional Headquarters conducts five inspections, two by the contact officer, two by the assistant contact officer and one by the manager, each year to facilitate any problems which local representatives encounter.

Thousands watch racing at Benthall’s

A large crowd of 3,000 yesterday watched the renewal of harness racing at Benthall’s Race Track. Some of the finishes were so close they looked like dead heats, but the judges caught the winners at the wire. The horses and drivers vied for purses of $250 and added money for the four events each day. Best times for the mile were registered by Fleety. J. Scotland in the first heat of the Free-Four-All Pace Saturday (2:09.21) and by Dynamite in the Free-Four-All trot when he ended in 2:10.

Two local youths join Army

William Dunn, 18, of 113 Broad Street, a graduate of Suffolk High School, and John E. Williams of 553 First Avenue, have joined the Regular Army, it was announced by Captain A.W. Stravinsky, commanding Officer of the U.S. Army Recruiting Station. Dunn intends to study under the Armed Forces Institute, while Williams hopes to complete his high school education so he will be able to enter college upon the completion of his enlistment.

Britton laid to rest

Funeral services for John Thomas Britton, 72, who died yesetyrday afternoon at his house near Holland after a long illness, will be held at 3:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Holy Neck Christian Church. Rev. H.E. Crutchfield will officiate. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. H.L. Ellis and Mrs. J.E. Griffin of Holland and Mrs. C. Baker of Suffolk; four sons, J.T., W.T., C.W. and J.C. Britton; one brother, W.T. Britton of Cofield, N.C. and 14 grandchildren and four great-granchildren.

Military burial held for Russell

Last rites for Pfc. Harold Russell of the U.S. Army, who died in Tidworth, England, were conducted Saturday afternoon by Dr. S.T. Habel. Active pallbearers were Sgt. Richard Larson, Sgt. Cletus Richmond, Cpl. Robert Tomlinson, Pfc. William Cooper, Pfc. George Herbert and Pfc. Henry Kurzola.

The grave in Cedar Hill Cemetery was with military honors, with a firing squad and a tape blown by Benno Friedman. The casket was covered with an American flag, which was replaced with a pall of pink gladioli.

-Compiled by Jason Norman