A Marine With A Unique Skill

**hftiii** · 02-09-2019, 01:09 AM

Hello everyone,

I've got a fairly large grouping of documents, photos and other items that belonged to Donald Hampton who served in the Marines from 1943-1945. The photograph collection includes dozens of photos (including many in an album) and over 100 negatives. I've only been able to have a few prints made so far: the digital quality helps I think. The photos include his training and while in theater, and include numerous captured weapons and other pieces of equipment.

I believed that Mr. Hampton initially trained as a radio operator at New River in 1943, but his fine mechanical talent and training as a civilian in his family's business, sent him in another direction in the Corps. He was sent to the Elgin Watch College for training in watch repair, a skill that he would put to use when stationed in Guam. I believe that his unit was part of the invasion, or at there at least soon after. I noticed in some of the posted photos and others that I have that weapons were kept-at-the-ready, even as he undertook his watch repair duty.

Thanks for taking a look!.

Tom

**reneblacky** · 02-09-2019, 01:15 AM

Cheers for showing Tom, fantastic lot! can't wait to seeing more negs digitized and hope you are digitizing them yourself?

**AZPhil** · 02-09-2019, 01:19 AM

Great collection of Documents and pic's.

Semper Fi
Phil

**Anderson** · 02-09-2019, 06:43 AM

The wartime photos are very interesting.

**hftiii** · 02-10-2019, 02:21 AM

Thanks guys for your comments. I plan to post more as soon as I get a chance.

Rene, I had these professionally digitized. It was a little pricey, and has limited my ability to have more printed. Also, the local camera shop that did the job has since closed. I am hesitant to send the negatives in the mail to some place. I guess I could check into buying a scanner of some kind.......any recommendations? Tom

**reneblacky** · 02-10-2019, 02:33 AM

by hftiii

Thanks guys for your comments. I plan to post more as soon as I get a chance.

Rene, I had these professionally digitized. It was a little pricey, and has limited my ability to have more printed. Also, the local camera shop that did the job has since closed. I am hesitant to send the negatives in the mail to some place. I guess I could check into buying a scanner of some kind.......any recommendations? Tom

I have this USB scanner that didn't cost a lot under a 50 at a local supermarket!, I'm sure you could find an equivalent?
here's an old neg 35mm result from a crap camera! (my late dog Gemmi)

**Anderson** · 02-10-2019, 09:02 AM

That's a great tip Rene, I need something like that myself. My mother has boxes of old slide transparencies, I've never know what to do with them.

**hftiii** · 02-11-2019, 02:44 AM

Thanks Rene. I will definitely look into it. I think if would be a good investment. My negatives are a little wider than the 35 mm from the 60's and 70's that I'm use to, but maybe it still work.

Tom