Salvation Army honors women who brought hope to troops on frontlines in WW1

During World War I, women from The Salvation Army traveled to the frontlines to serve soldiers with food, comfort, and encouragement.

Often cooking over campfires like this, they became known as the “Doughnut Lassies,” bringing hope and a taste of home to troops far from their families.

This Women’s History Month, we honor the women whose compassion changed lives—even in the midst of war.

Shared from The Salvation Army - Ansonia Facebook page.

'Turnback Tuesday' features story of Pork Hollow in present-day Ansonia

Today's Turnback Tuesday story takes place during the Revolutionary War.

Much tension and fear were affecting all the families in the colonies. There was uncertainty over when homes would be burned, livestock taken, and stores of food stolen.

Such is the case with the story of Pork Hollow. British soldiers were roaming around looking for food.

Capt. John Tomlinson from Derby happened to be in New Haven and heard of the plan to take the stores of pork located in Derby. Getting on his horse and riding as fast as he could, he rode to Derby to warn the residents to save the pork!

The residents quickly responded by removing the pork and hiding it in a hollow area. The British arrived to discover there was no pork to be found and left Derby empty handed. The location is in what we now call Ansonia on Wakelee Avenue. A monument was erected there by the Elizabeth Clarke Hull Chapter D.A.R. in 1901.

This postcard shows the monument.

Thanks goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing local history each week.