Annis Veterans of World War Two
Dedicated to the Greatest Generation !
This page is respectively dedicated to individual Annis family members in the United States and Canada who served their country in the way that Annis Family men and women have for hundreds of years.
They did so with quiet resolve and made the sacrifices that ensured the continuation of Democracy, Freedom and our way of life.
There is a longer list of Annis World War Two veterans on this web site, but there individuals stand out and I have available more of their story of service.
I hope you take as much pride in reading about their patriotism as I did writing about them.
Almon Augustus Annis 1920-2000
Russell Howard Annis 1921-2003
Gus and Millie Annis (1991)
ALMON AUGUSTUS ANNIS, Jr. 1920-2000"Gus", as his family and friends knew him, was born August 19, 1920 in Livonia, NY, the son of Almon and Rose (Spaine) Annis. He married 1st, Mary Jane Tibbs November 22, 1947 in Livonia, NY. She was born 1922, and died September 25, 1959. He married 2nd, Mildred Chaffee September 25, 1959 in Livonia Center, Livingston, NY. She was born September 29, 1932.
"Gus" was a veteran of World War Two and served with the United States Marine Corps {1942-1945} in the Pacific Theater. He participated in many of the island invasions against the Japanese, including Saipan and Okinawa. He was twice awarded the Purple Heart, and his other citations and ribbons include: World War Two Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and various campaign ribbons. After the war he was a part time farmer and, until his retirement, was employed by the Rochester Telephone Company. Afterwards he resided at Livonia, and was a member of the South Livonia Church, VFW, American Legion, The Rotary, and the volunteer Fire Department.
He was very helpful in supplying information about his family, and unselfishly loaned this author a rare original copy of Verle Annis' Annis Genealogy. He died August 14, 2000 at Livonia.Child of Almon and Mary Annis:
James Almon Annis, born August 22, 1948
Children of Almon Mildred Annis:
Elizabeth Jean Annis, born December 21, 1961
Barbara Jane Annis, born January 27, 1962
Jeffrey Brian Annis, born April 25, 1963
Lineage:Almon A. Annis, Sr. 1885-1963; Myron H.P. Annis 1861-?; Augustus Annis 1824-1873; Augustus B. Annis 1789-1866; Jacob Annis 1763-1841; Ezra Annis 1726-1818, John Annis 1700-c.1770; Abraham Annis 1668-1736; Cormac Annis 1638-1717
Clare Levi Annis was born January 22, 1912 at Highland Creek, Ontario, Canada, the son of Levi Chester and Mary Beatrice (White) Annis. He was baptized June 7, 1912 at Port Union, Ontario and died January 1, 1994 at Ottawa, Ontario. He married Fern Beatrice Atkinson on October 1, 1939 at Kings College Chapel, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Clare enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force on June 13, 1936 at Toronto, Canada. He earned his "wings' on May 4, 1937 and was assigned to #10 Squadron, where he was stationed during the outbreak of World War Two. On October 25, 1941 he was credited with the first attack on a German U-Boat for which he earned the Order of the British Empire. He was promoted to the command of #10 Squadron in February 1942, and remained at that post until the following July, at which time he was assigned to Air Force Headquarters and became the Director of Anti-Submarine Warfare.
In August 1943 he was made Commanding Officer of Station Granger in England, and later was Commanding Officer of the Station Linton-on Ouse in France. The following dispatch is a matter of record:
ANNIS, G/C Clare Levi, OBE (C196) - Mention in Despatches - Station Linton-on-Ouse (No.62 Base in AFRO) - Award effective 1 January 1945 as per London Gazette of that date and AFRO 337/45 dated 23 February 1945.
Prior to proceeding overseas, Group Captain Annis rendered valuable service in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in Canada. Since his arrival in the United Kingdom he has been in command of RCAF Station Linton-on- Ouse.
He is a tireless worker and by his personal example and ability has won the respect and whole hearted co-operation of all personnel on the station, which has reflected creditably in the high standard of operational efficiency.After the war he was promoted to Air Marshall and assigned as Chief of Tactical Services. He retired from the Air Force in 1967 and took a position as General Manager of Canada Patents and Development Limited. He died at the National Defence Centre, Ottawa, Ontario.
Children:
Doug Annis
Ronald Annis
Peter Annis
Lineage: Levi Chester Annis 1878-?; Charles Arthur Annis 1849-1921; Levi Annis 1820-1894; Levi Annis 1781-1855; Charles Annis 1737/38-1804; John Annis 1700-c.1771; Abraham Annis 1668-1738; Cormac Annis 1638-1717
DAVID JESSE "BEAD" ANNIS 1919-1991
David Jesse Annis was born September 4, 1919 at Kaneville, IL, the son of Jesse Hayes Annis and Hattie Phillips. He was raised and grew to manhood in an area that his great great grand parents had pioneered and settled in the 1840’s. He was well known in his home area as a character, but also as a man with integrity and the old pioneering spirit of his forefathers. An article that appeared in the local newspaper after his death describes the life and times of "Bead" Annis.
BEAD’S PASSING TOOK THE LAST OF HIS KIND
Friends remember a man and a legend of western Kane County.KANEVILLE – David “Bead” Annis is gone. And with him goes an era, his many friends say. Anyone who who’s belonged to the western lands of Kane County knew Bead – hunter, trapper, crack shot, outdoorsman, stock car race enthusiast, bass violin player, veteran of the toughest North African and European battles of World War II, house painter, a bachelor fancied by women, master of the good time, expert deliverer of the bluest words, compassionate and a devoted son. “He was a colorful character”, said Ralph Schleifer, owner of Fisherman’s Inn of Elburn, who grew up with Bead and served in the same World War II campaigns, though in different companies.
“Kaneville’s always had a lot of characters, but Bead was probably the last of his kind of individual”, Schleifer said. “You could say he was a character a hundred times over”, said Paul “Grizz” Stover, a long time friend. A legend in his own 73 years, Bead’s stories will probably be resurrected and told over and over by his wide variety of friends, acquaintances and, to quote Grizz, “those who never did understand him.”
Bead was found in his home Dec. 4 after township road supervisor Dennis Long alerted Kaneville Township Supervisor David Werdin that “something must be wrong at Bead’s.” Bead’s absence drew notice. Since Bead checked his traps and fed his personal pets daily, suspicions and concerns rose when Dec. 2 snows lay still undisturbed Dec. 4 around Bead’s Kaneville house. Werdin said when Long told him there were tracks the night of Dec. 3 or the following morning at Bead’s place, “We went in (to his house) and found him”, Werdin said.
“Bead kind of belonged to the community”, said Werdin. “He was a character, and you knew who he was sooner or later because of some of the things he did – you couldn’t live in Kaneville six months without noticing some little things Bead did – like rev up his truck motor and make it backfire.”
Bruce Conley of Conley’s Funeral Home, Elburn, said Bead probably died Dec. 2. Death was instant; the cause, a massive heart attack.
“Call him a fur farmer”, said Grizz, noting many people in today’s society would find it hard to identify with Bead and his lifestyle. Others said that Bead was happiest outside with animals. One person even noted that Bead relished “smelling like an animal – and he usually did when he was trapping because animals are sensitive where humans have been.” However, when Bead went out on the town or to drive his ’36 gray Ford convertible as the Sycamore Speedway pace car, as he did for 29 years, it was quite another Bead. A truly spiffy one, friends said. But it is the hunting stories spotlighting Bead that are most repeated. Friends say that’s because living by trapping is rare in Kane County today and by hunting and trapping, Bead earned his living as well as his nickname. “He could dram a bead on a pheasant – he had a tremendous hunting eye.” This he was known as Bead, some say. Others say it was because his eye was so good that he could shoot anything by sighting it on the “bead of his gun.” “Don’t refer to him as David. No one will know who you’re talking about,” cautioned Stover. And those who know Stover, are those who knew Bead. And they said not to call him Stover, but Grizz, “or no one will know who you’re talking about.” Grizz, and everyone else who knew him, vowed no one knew the lands of western Kane County like Bead did. “Bead was an outdoorsman born 100 years too late”, said Wayne Bierhoff, former Elburn police chief. “Bead was born to be outside, civilization put restraints on him and reduced the variety and number of wild game available, Bierhoff said.
Werdin said he remembers that Bead “was very proud of his World war II service, and put on his uniform – which still fit him to a “T” – every Memorial Day. I hope they bury Bead in that uniform.” He concluded. And Bead, an army medical corpsman from Casablanca to Anzio north to Rome and up into northern Italy, was buried in his uniform, said Schliefer. Having served together in the same campaigns, Bead and Schliefer referred to each other as “piason” or special friend.
Besides living the pioneer life of a trapper, Bead also was a great racing enthusiast. Not only did he drive his Ford as the Sycamore Speedway pace car, he went to all the big races and knew the big racing stars, friends said. “He was well known by all the racers and he loved their companionship, the good times he had with them,” said Carol Fabrizius, co-owner of Sycamore Speedway.
As a youngster growing up in Kaneville, Schleifer said, he and Bead “marched to different drummers.” Bead loved hunting and being outside as a boy. Later on, Schleifer and Bead played in a local Kaneville band. When radio station WLS-AM (89) used to broadcast country music in the late 1930s, the Kaneville young men and their music were heard over the Chicago-based station. After World War II, Bead returned to Kaneville and lived with his mother. Only recently did Bead speak of his war experiences. “He’d seen some terrible things, but just opened up about them in the last couple of years,” Grizz recalled. Grizz, Werdin, Schliefer and Conley all recall Bead had a strong compassionate side as well as his rough-and-tough mountain man side. When people he knew were sick, he’d stop by to visit and bring vegetables from his garden or soup or just stop in to keep them company. It was Bead’s mother’s death in 1989 that seemed to have a devastating effect on him. Friends recall that she was in her late 90’s when she died. Yet, Bead just seemed unable to get her death off his mind, friends recall. Now all that remains of Bead Annis is his pets – a weasel, wild turkey, peacocks, Guinea fowl, banties – his traps, pelts and legions of legends.
Word has spread through Kaneville and car racing world. David “Bead” Annis is gone.
Bead never married. He lies at peace in Kaneville Cemetery with his father, mother and ancestors.Lineage: Jesse Hayes Annis (1886-1959), Joseph Wheeler Annis (1845-1906), David Wheeler Annis (1812-1877), Joseph Annis (1766-1848), Jesse Annis (1745-1820), John Annis (1700-c.1771), Abraham Annis (1668-1738), Cormac Annis (1638-1717)
From Left: James Send; Della Annis Send, Eldon Walker, Myra Annis Walker, Homer Augustus Annis, Marie (Worgul) Annis, Francis G. Annis, Louise Annis Linderman, Clarence Linderman. Photo was taken June 14, 1986 (Homer's 90th birthday) and was furnished by Myra Annis Walker
FRANCIS GEORGE ANNIS 1925-2005
Francis Annis was born January 10, 1925 at Grayling, Michigan, the son of Homer Augustus and Caroline Francelia (Papendick) Annis. He married June 11, 1947, Marie Worgul at Lansing, Michigan.
Inducted into the United States Army on June 16, 1943, Francis was sent to Keesler Field (Biloxi, MS) for basic training, and than attended Engineering school in the Army Specialized Training Program at Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) in the fall and winter of 1943-1944. In April of 1944 he attended more training at Camp White (Medford, OR), after which he was assigned to the 381st Infantry, 96th Division and sent to Hawaii for amphibious and jungle training. His Division was sent via convoy to Eniwetok in preparation for the assault landing at Leyte (October 20, 1944) and Samar Island (January 4, 1945) in the Philippines.
At 0801 hour, April 1, 1945, as part of the 2nd wave assault, he participated in the Battle for Okinawa. Francis was wounded by fragments from a mortar shell on May 27th, and on June 12th was the victim of a sniper's bullet. He was sent to the General Hospital on the island of Guam, but by October 1945 had recovered from his wounds in time to help in the "clean-up" operations at Mindaro Island, Philippines. On December 16, 1945 he departed Leyte and arrived in San Francisco, CA on January 6, 1946.
After some time in a hospital at Camp McCoy, WI, he was discharged and returned home to his loved ones on February 16, 1946. He was awarded the Bronze Star w/ 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Purple Heart w/ 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; American Theater Ribbon; Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon w/ 2 Bronze Battle Stars; Victory Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Combat Infantry Badge; Republic of the Philippines Presidential Unit Citation.
Francis attended Central Michigan University and Michigan State University and afterwards he worked for the state of Michigan as a Chemist and Chemical Engineer. He retired and was a member of the American Chemical Society, National Society of Professional Engineers, National Rifle Society and the Michigan United Conservation Club. He resided in Lansing, Michigan until his death on May 8, 2005.Children:
Larry Earl Annis, born September 18, 1950
James Eldon Annis, born October 23, 1953
Lineage: Homer Augustus Annis 1896-1993; George Russell Annis 1869-1954; Augustus Hammersley Annis 1833-1910; James W. Annis 1794-1876; Jacob Annis 1764-1841; Ezra Annis 1726-1818, John Annis 1700-c.1770; Abraham Annis 1668-1736; Cormac Annis 1638-1717
JAMES HERBERT ANNIS 1917-James Herbert Annis was born November 11, 1917 at Brocton, NY, the only son and child of John Herbert Annis and Lulu Lee.
Jim attended the public schools of Chautauqua County, NY and upon graduation from grammar school he attended the teaching college, Fredonia Normal School (Fredonia, NY) from which he graduated with honors in 1938. He married October 20, 1942 to Eleanor Benning. Eleanor passed away September 19, 2006 at Victor, NYJim is a veteran of World War Two, having served as a Captain in the United States Army in the European Theater. He participated in the landing at Casablanca and moved through the various invasions of North Africa, Italy, France, and Germany. His last overseas assignment was at Berlin District Headquarters. James had a total of five years active and twenty-two years active Reserve duty in the Army, and is at present a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve.
In civilian life he was an educator in the public schools of New York state for 39 years, and was last reported residing at Rochester, NY.Children:
Carol Lee Annis, born October 31, 1946
Sandra Jean Annis, born January 20, 1950
Lineage:John H. Annis 1884-1944, Miles Dewitt Annis 1859-1935, John Phineas Annis 1835-1915, Phineas Annis 1803-1880, John Annis 1764-1839, Ezra Annis 1726-1818, John Annis 1700-c.1770, Abraham Annis 1668-1736; Cormac Annis 1638-1717
Leverne K. Annis was born January 7, 1919 at Vernon Center, MN, the son of Ross Edward and Frances Edna (Tyrrell) Annis. He married 2nd, January 4, 1945, Margaret Ilene Shrene at the U.S. Naval Base in Ottumwa, IA, and had two children; married 2nd, Marian Crandall, and had two children.
Leverne was a veteran of World War 2, and served with the United States Navy Air Corps in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was assigned to Squadrons VS-51 and VS-1-D14, which were involved in the rescue of famed airman Eddie Rickenbacher, and his crew, after their bomber became lost and was forced to ditch in the South Pacific.
After the war he held many jobs, including restaurant owner, mechanic, and long haul truck driver. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #314, VFW Post #9223, American Legion Post #289, and the Free Methodist Church. Upon his death on March 7, 1996, his best friend, Kent Vaughn of Riverside, CA, wrote the following to this author:
"He maintained his cheerful, happy attitude right to the last, and he certainly was, in my opinion, a very worthy member of the Annis Family tradition. - I wish you to know he spoke of your good work on your Annis History Genealogy Project with great enthusiasm only hours before his death. Thanks for being so nice to this wonderful, sensitive and kind caring person and remember him in your prayers, if you will. You can be very proud of him I assure you."Leverne is buried at the National Cemetery, Riverside, CA.
Children:
Leverne Ross Annis, born April 14, 1946; died January 30, 2000.
Daniel Keith Annis, born May 17, 1947
Arthur Gordon Annis Crandall, born February 14, 1963
Scott Joesif Annis Crandall, born September 8, 1967
Lineage: Ross Edward Annis 1896-1984, Edward Ross Annis 1866-1921, Azro Annis 1827-1900, James Annis 1792-1849, Solomon Annis 1765-1830, Daniel Annis 1735-1801, Daniel Annis 1711-1790, Abraham Annis 1668-1738, Cormac Annis 1638-1717
Milton Albert Annis was born August 7, 1920 at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, the only child of Milton enlisted in the United States Army on January 31, 1940 and was a member of the 43rd Infantry Division. As a member of the army during the beginning of the war, his Division was involved in the earliest offensive action in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He saw action in the following campaigns and battles: Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Russell Islands, Rendova Island, Munda Island, Bougainville, Vella Lavella, New Guinea, and the Philippines. For his meritorious service he was awarded: Bronze Star Medal, American Defense Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/ bronze star, Good Conduct Medal, Expert Sharpshooter, and Combat Infantry Badge. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 15, 1945.
Milton returned to northern Maine after the war and was employed as a Supervisor of Employment and Personnel Director from 1945 to 1986.. He was very much involved with community service and served as Town Clerk at Woodland, ME from 1948 to 1986. He was also a member of the town council (1987-1993, Tax Assessor (St. James Parish Council), Scoutmaster of Troop 149 (10 years); American Legion and Quarter Century Club.
After a constructive and fruitful life, Milton died August 3, 2002 at Baileyville, ME.
Children:
Gregory Martin Annis, born December 12, 1951
Stephen Milton Annis, born July 5, 1956
David Joseph Annis, born December 29, 1964
Lineage is:Albert Forrest Annis {1880-1931}, Martin Annas {1828-1896}, Thomas Annas {1804-1879}, Charles (Thomas) Annas {1767-?}, Daniel Annis {1735-1801}, Daniel Annis {1711-1790}, Abraham Annis {1668-1738}, Cormac Annis (1638-1717}.
Robert Annis was born July 5, 1918 at Flint, MI, the son of Lewis Edgar and Eva Mae (Wright) Annis. He married November 15, 1952, Fern Evelyn Shattuck (1918-1999) at Flint, Michigan. Fern passed away on March 16, 1999. Bob wrote:
“My folks moved to Flint from South Bend and Mishawaka, Indiana in 1917, which was away from all the rest of the relatives. 200 hundred miles was a long way in those days. Dad was excited about the Flint automobile industry.”
Robert attended school at Linden, Michigan, where he excelled in athletics and became a legendary sports figure in the area. Records that he set in varsity baseball still stand today and he is honored in that schools Hall of Fame. He attended the University of Michigan in 1936 and 1937.
In 1938 he was regarded as a prospective pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and played professional baseball for their farm team at Tiffin, Ohio until 1940. Unfortunately for the Tigers, World War Two put an end to Robert's career in baseball, and he found himself in a uniform of a different sort.
While a member of the United States Army in the European Theater of Operations he distinguished himself and was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, Five Battle Stars, and a Presidential Unit Citation.
After the war he returned home to Linden and began work at the Chevrolet Plant in Flint and retired as a Supervisor. Bob was a member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, Linden High School Athletic Boosters Club, Linden High School Hall of Fame, and the Kiwanis. He attended the Presbyterian Church at Linden and enjoyed vegetable gardening, fishing and hunting.
This author was born and raised four miles from Bob's home, and yet we never knew that we were both descendants of Cormac Annis (1638-1717) until I contacted him in the fall of 1992. He graciously shared his family history with me and the result was a completed lineage with accurate documentation.In a remarkable coincidence, Robert's father is buried only 15 feet away from my grandfather, Ira Benton Annis, in Fairview Cemetery, Linden, MI. They were 4th cousins, but did not know of their relationship to each other.
Bob resided at Linden, Michigan until his death on May 7, 2008 at Fort Myers, FL.
Children:
Kimberly Louise Annis, born August 13, 1956
Lineage:Lewis Edgar Annis 1871-1962, Josiah W. Annis 1834-1881, James W. Annis 1794-1876, Jacob Annis 1763-1841, Ezra Annis 1726-1818, John Annis 1700-c.1771, Abraham Annis 1668-1736, Cormac Annis 1638-1717
RUSSELL HOWARD ANNIS 1921-2003
Russell Annis was born October 24, 1921 at Traverse City, MI, the son of Howard George and Flora (Moon) Annis. He married August 8, 1948, Phyllis Lorraine Burrows (1924-1968) at Traverse City. He died December 31, 2003 at Traverse City, MI.
Russell enlisted in the U.S. Army on July 14, 1942 and attended boot camp at Macon, GA. He was latter attached to the 888th Airborne Engineers and participated in the invasion of North Africa and the associated campaigns in Algeria, French Morocco and Tunisia. He also participapted in the invasion of Sicily and the Northern Appennines Campaign. From there he was stationed at and helped maintain several airstrips on islands in the Mediterranean and was finally stationed at Naples, Italy. He was honorably discharged on September 28, 1945.
Russell was an Honorary Member of the Annis Family Association.
Children:
Jerome Russell Annis, born August 3, 1949
Joel David Annis, born February 15, 1951
Kurt Michael Annis, born October 19, 1951
Obituary:
Russell Howard Annis - 1921-2003
Traverse City Record-Eagle - Online
Traverse City, MI, January 4, 2004
TRAVERSE CITY - Russell Howard Annis, 83, of Traverse City, died on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at home. Born on Oct. 24, 1921, in Grayling, he was the son of Howard and Flora (Moon) Annis. On Aug. 8, 1948, in Traverse City, he married the former Phyllis Lorraine Burrows, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Annis served his country honorably, with the United States Army during World War II. He later became a floor specialist for Northern Floor and Tile and retired from Waterland Tile.
Mr. Annis enjoyed golfing and ice fishing. An avid bowler until the age of 82, he was inducted into the Bowlers Hall of Fame in 2001.
Mr. Annis was a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include his sons, Jerry (Lydia) Annis of Traverse City, Joel (Marsha) Annis of Charlevoix and Kurt (Connie) Annis of Traverse City; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Bonnie Lou Weber.
Along with his wife, Phyllis, Mr. Annis was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Margaret Lake.
Friends may call at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Services will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004, at 11 a.m. Officiating the service will be the VFW, Cherryland Post 2780. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Salvation Army.Lineage: Howard George Annis 1897-1991, George Russell Annis 1869-1954, Augustus Hammersley Annis 1833-1910, James W. Annis 1794-1876, Jacob Annis 1763-1841, Ezra Annis 1726-1818, John Annis 1700-c.1771, Abraham Annis 1668-1736, Cormac Annis 1638-1717
Walter Annis was born December 31, 1922 at Dorchester, Massachusetts, the son of Harvey James and Helen Mae (Belyea) Annis. He married September 24, 1950, Eva Jean Burke at Braintree, Massachusetts. A lifelong Braintree resident, he graduated from Braintree High School, where he played on the football team. He was a member of the Braintree Fire Department for 45 years, and was promoted to captain when his brother-in-law, Roland Belyea, died. Walter was disturbed that his promotion came because of a death, but his sister told him that he would have been Roland Belyea's own choice for the job.
In the 1960s, Walter was hospitalized with burns suffered while rescuing a priest from a fire at St. Thomas More rectory. He was awarded a commendation for that effort and held other citations but rarely spoke of them. His son, Bradley H. Annis of Weymouth, a Boston Fire Department lieutenant, called him a quiet man who sought no accolades. Walter Annis attended fire science courses at Massasoit Community College. He was promoted to deputy chief in 1970 and retired in 1987. Walter was part ofa proud family of firefighters. His father, Harvey J. Annis, had been one of the first permanent firefighters in the town and later transferred to the Braintree Police Department. Another brother-in-law served on the Quincy Fire Department, a son and a nephew are firefighters in Boston and a nephew serves with the Braintree Fire Department.
A radio operator and gunner with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group during World War Two, he was awarded the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon with seven battle stars.
A good deal of his time in the Army Air Corps was spent living in a tent in Italy. The crew of his aircraft stayed in touch after the war and had regular reunions. Described as a "world class putterer," he enjoyed working around his house and yard. He loved gizmos and gimmicks and did a lot of woodworking and was very talented at repairs.
Walter Annis was a member of the Braintree Men's Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the International Association of Firefighters and was a former president of the Braintree Firefighters Union. A member of the Heritage United Methodist Church, he had been a lay leader there and chairman of the board of trustees. He died on March 7, 1996 and was buried at Braintree Cemetery.Children:
Bradley Harvey Annis, born July 12, 1952
Allen Walter Annis, born November 3, 1954
Barbara Jean Annis, born September 4, 1960
Lineage is: Harvey James Annis 1899-1989, Harry Leroy Annis 1879-?, James Leroy Annis 1848-?, Joseph Annis 1818-1888, Stephen Annis 1792-1828, Stephen Annis 1756-1840, Stephen Annis 1726-?, Charles Annis 1693-c.1741, Abraham Annis 1668-1738, Cormac Annis 1638-1717
The 376th Heavy Bombardment Group Inc. Veterans Association - A link to an excellent site honoring the airmen of the 376th and that mentions Walter H. AnnisNote: Walter's grandson, Allen Bradley Annis (1981) who served (2003) with the 101st Airborne Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. A video clip of his familycan be seen at: The Boston Channel.com
Annis Family Association
Links
The Annis Family in the US and Canada
The Annis Family Honor Roll 1865-1939
