What happened to Margaret?
Six months after enlisting, Norty married Margaret Mary Toolin of Boston on his 24th birthday: May 9, 1942.
More about the wedding:
Matron of honor: Margaret’s sister (Mary D, found in Boston, Massachusetts, City Directory, 1948)
Best man: Margaret’s brother-in-law J. Edgar Swan (Mary’s husband).
Photography by Swan Photography of Boston
The church: St. Patrick’s Church in Fall River, MA is now the Good Shepherd Parish, 1598 S Main St, Fall River, MA 02724
It was just a ten-minute walk from the church to the reception at Margaret’s family’s home.
A very happy couple leaves their reception in a shower of rice. By October 1942, Norton was at Camp Elliot in San Diego, California, and by January 1943, he was reassigned to the Sixth Replacement Battalion and shipped overseas.
In April 1943, he was in New Caledonia, training with the First Marine Raider Battalion.
July 1943: A telegram arrives, but no answers.
November 22, 1943: “What does this mean?”
Dear Sir:
4 months ago I received a telegram stating my husband was missing in action.
I don’t have to tell you about the anxiety, you probably receive many letters. All these months have passed without further word and suddenly today a letter from the Personal Affects bureau arrived stating that my husband’s personal belongings had arrived at that station.
What does this mean? Is he considered lost or dead in action? Perhaps a second telegram or letter was lost in the mail.
Please help me and send some information.
Sincerely yours,
Mrs. Norton Retzsch
November 30, 1943: “No additional report”
1944: Margaret makes a decision.
August 1944: Resolution without remains.
August 2005: Norton was still missing and unidentified when Margaret passed.
