Soldiers Home on Leave--1944

They gathered in the living room in the home of Fred and Vivian Azbell at 1115 North Butler Avenue for a beer and a smoke. The stories they had to share have been lost, but they likely had many to tell.  Fred Azbell, at the far right in the photo, hosted the event. He had just returned from the European sphere of the war. Bob Hoover, a photographer for the Indianapolis News and neighbor at 1124 North Butler Avenue, stopped by as well and snapped these wonderful images. We do not know the full name of the young man on the far left, but we do know his first name was Pat. Seated next to him was John Lynch, and Bob Carey. The clock on the mantel noted that it was 10:00PM.

In the second photo, Mr. Hoover captured a more domestic scene taken a little earlier around 9:10PM. Little Barbara Azbell studied her mother pensively and likely noticed that both of her parents beamed with joy that night.  The war was not over yet, but for at least one night in one cottage on Butler Avenue laughter could be heard.

Soldiers on leave: Pat ?, John Lynch, Bob Carey, and Fred Azbell at 1115 North Butler Avenue in 1944 (Photo by Bob Hoover)

Happy family:  Fred, Barbara, and Vivian Azbell at 1115 North Butler Avenue in 1944 (Photo by Bob Hoover)

The historic images are courtesy of Barbara Azbell Sanders.