urn:taro:utexas.cah.03105 A Guide to the Annabel Murray U. S. Coast Guard SPARS Collection, 1937-1946 Original EAD encoding by Maria Soscia according to TARO 2 EAD 2002 Editing Instructions. October 2011 Finding aid written in English. Descriptive Summary Thomas, Lillian Annabel Murray, 1912-2008 Murray, Annabel, U. S. Coast Guard Spars Collection 1937-1946 Materials are written in English. 2011-292 3 ft. Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin Scrapbooks, newspapers and clippings, pamphlets, books, photographs, recruiting material, postcards, soldier’s songbooks, church programs, correspondence, U. S. Naval Training School material, a logbook, office supplies, and a CD compose the Annabel Murray U. S. Coast Guard SPARS Collection, 1937-1946, documenting the history of the SPARS, particularly, Murray’s experience as a recruiting officer in Connecticut, New York, Florida, Austin, San Antonio, and Seattle. Biographical Note

U. S. Coast Guard SPARS lieutenant Lillian Annabel Murray Thomas (1912-2008) was born in Austin, Texas, and daughter of R. V. and Jesse Murray. She attended Austin High School, graduating in 1929, and later the University of Texas (UT), where in 1935 she earned a BA in Journalism and an MA in 1940. A lover of music, Murray studied voice at the Institute of Musical Art in New York City immediately following high school, and later spent a summer at Julliard in 1936.

During World War II, Murray served for over two years with the SPARS, the third women’s service branch of the U. S. Coast Guard created in 1942 to release men from jobs at shore so they could fight overseas. It was the Dean of Women at UT, Murray believed, who initiated her enlistment with the SPARS. Murray became one of the first group of thirteen enrollees, where she served from 1943-1946, speaking at numerous war bond drives, and working as a recruitment officer in several locations across the U. S., including Austin; New London, Connecticut; New York; Palm Beach, Florida; San Antonio; and Seattle, Washington. Among the highlights of her career was a two-week war bond tour through the northwest with prizefighter and Coast Guard officer Jack Dempsey.

Once the war ended, Murray resided back in Austin, initially teaching journalism, and later as an interviewer of applicants for G. I. loans at a local bank. Through an introduction from a friend at work, she met her husband Tommy Thomas. They were married in 1947 and had two daughters, Margaret and Frances.

Sources:

Engelbrecht, Margaret. “Annabel’s History.” April 2006.

Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home. “Memorial Obituary Lillian Annabel Murray Thomas.” Accessed October 27, 2011. http://wcfish.tributes.com/show/Lillian-Thomas-84535443.

 Scope and Contents

Scrapbooks, newspapers and clippings, pamphlets, books, photographs, recruiting material, postcards, soldier’s songbooks, church programs, correspondence, U. S. Naval Training School material, a logbook, office supplies, and a CD compose the Annabel Murray U. S. Coast Guard SPARS Collection, 1937-1946, documenting the history of the SPARS, particularly Murray’s experience as a recruiting officer in Connecticut, New York, Florida, Austin, San Antonio, and Seattle.

The scrapbooks (July 5, 1943- May 2, 1944) contain photographs of SPARS, a typed Merry Christmas letter written by Murray to prospective SPARS, articles from the American-Statesman, Austin American, Corpus Christi Times, Dallas News, San Antonio Express, and several other news publications throughout Texas, highlighting information on recruitment, training, travel, events and activities, as well as some articles featuring Murray, including one on her being assigned to SPAR recruitment duty in the Austin area. Newspapers and clippings (February 8, 1943-October 21, 1945) cover similar topics as those in the scrapbooks, and additionally include publications outside of Texas, such as the Palm Beach Sun and The Seattle Times. Pamphlets contain information promoting enlistment to the U. S. Coast Guard, particularly the SPARS branch. Books (1939-1945), some inscribed by Murray, cover topics such as leadership, women soldiers, and issues concerning the U. S. Coast guards and military life. Photographs (1944-1945) capture SPARS at events, in group shots, Murray with Jack Dempsey, and a three-quarter-length formal portrait of Murray in her SPAR uniform. Recruiting material, composed of posters, cards, stickers, and stamps, promote enlistment to the SPARS through catchy slogans and advertisements for enlistment cruises. Postcards, mostly blank, are of women in uniform, and scenic and architectural views of places where Murray was stationed, including Austin, Palm Beach, and Seattle. Soldier’s songbooks are comprised of many popular hymns, including “You’re a Grand Old Flag, “God Bless America,” and “This is My Country.” Additionally included are the official coast guard marching song, and the official song of the United States Army Air Corps. Church programs (1943-1945) are from the University Christian Church in Seattle, and the Sunday morning worship service for the U. S. Coast Guard training station in Palm Beach, presumably when Murray was stationed in these locations. Correspondence (1943-1944) is composed of Photostats of letters written by Murray’s mother to family members informing them of her daughter’s acceptance as one of the first officers of the SPARS, and two letters addressed to Murray from the War Chest regarding her participation in speaking engagements. Other correspondence includes official orders to Murray, particularly while she was stationed in Seattle. U. S. Training School materials consist of numerous documents from the facility located in the Bronx, N. Y., including orders from commanding officers, assignments, and lists of soldier’s with their religious orientation, and billet and service numbers. Murray’s logbook (July 1, 1943-May 12, 1994) notes activities, articles published on SPARS, applicant information, test scores, and enlistments. Office supplies consist of three SPAR pencils, and Murray’s personal insignia stamp. Lastly, the collection includes a compact disc of SPAR WWII, UT home movies (1937-1945).

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

Use of video material by appointment only; please contact repository for more information.

Use of digital material by appointment only; please contact digital archivist for more information.

 Index Terms Subjects (Persons) Thomas, Lillian Annabel Murray, 1912-2008 -- Archives. Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983. Subjects (Organizations) United States. Coast Guard Reserve. Women's reserve. United States. Coast Guard -- History -- 20th century. Subjects Women soldiers--United States--History--20th century--Sources. World War, 1939-1945 -- Participation, Female. Places Austin (Tex.) San Antonio (Tex.) Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Seattle (Wash.) Preferred Citation

Annabel Murray U. S. Coast Guard SPARS Collection, 1937-1946, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

 Separated Material

Some material has been separated to the artifacts and library units.

 Processing Information

This collection was processed by Maria Soscia, October 2011.

 Detailed Description of the Papers Inventory 2.325/D24f Scrapbooks: July 5, 1943- May 2, 1944 July 26, 1943-March 9, 1944 2.325/OD10 Vogue (featuring an article of women in uniform),May 15, 1943 Map of Seattle Posters 4La110 Three SPARS pencils Annabel Murray’s insignia stamp Article on wearing a red feather for the War and Community Chest campaign, and three envelopes of red feathers, October 9-25, 1944 Official reproduced photographs of combat and U. S. army and navy planes Pamphlet of images entitled Vancouver: The Pacific Gateway of Canada Package of ten scenic photographs of Victoria to Vancouver Postcards (mostly blank) Photographs: SPARS, August 7-27, 1944 United States Coast Guard, Enlistment cruises, swearing in ceremonies, ships, Jack Dempsey and Annabel Murray, includes printout with descriptions of each image,June 26, 1944 -March 19, 1945 Three-quarter-length portrait of Annabel Murray in SPARS uniform SPARS recruiting advertisements: Stamps Stickers Ribbon Cards for upcoming recruiting cruises, July 23-August 27 Poster negative Annabel Murray business cards Newspapers and clippings February 8, 1943-October 21, 1945 Conning Tower, New York Naval Training School, Bronx, N. Y.: Vol. I, No 3, April 1943 (5 copies) Vol. I, No 4, May 1943 (2 copies) Vol. I, No 5, May 1943 U. S. Naval Training School. Bronx, N. Y.: Documents from commanding officer on orders, transfer, and travel, February 16-March 22, 1943 Transportation bulletin SPAR detachment to Bloomington, Indiana Uniform regulations, March 20-26, 1943 Short sea terms, January 30, 1943 Lists of officers by platoon, with billet and service number, and religion Home addresses of women officers Personnel Bulletin, with personnel change forms, March 13, 1943 Training instructions for officers in charge, and other instructional documents, April 9-12, 1943, undated Assignments, April 20-28, 1943 Memorandums Transportation bulletin April 12, 1943 Medical discharges Other documents Church programs: Palm Beach Florida, June 6, 1943 Seattle, Washington, September 17, 1944, July 29, 1945 SPAR recruiting station Seattle, Washington blank letterhead and documents Seattle maps and guides Jumbo postcards from Seattle (blank) Documents concerning Annabel Murray while stationed in Seattle: Appointment letter to lieutenant, May 1, 1945 Acceptance letter for appointment as lieutenant, March 2, 1946 Application for leave of absence, November 27, 1943 Orders and travel, June 20, 1944-November 30, 1944 New assignment, orders, travel, June 27, 1943 Orders, transfer, travel, February 5, 1943 Travel expense vouchers, October 28, 1944, November 22 1944 Other documents, 1944 Photostat of orders from commanding officer to Annabel Murray, January 18, 1943, February 5, 1943 Information on Red Cross surgical dressing class at the Driskill Hotel, Austin Allocation and Distribution of American Red Cross Gifts CD of SPAR WWII, UT home movies1937-1945 Photostats of correspondence,January 9, 1943-February 4, 1944 Captain McAfee’s talk on education Outlines of talks1944 March Menu for Toffenetti’s restaurant, New York Handwritten notes on “attitudes of returning veteran’s” and other topics Soldier’s songbooks Pamphlets, November 1942 - August 1945, undated Desk Calendar, 1944 Pocket size New Testament What the Citizen Should Know about the Coast Guard, 1941 4La111 Running Light, 1942-1943 Policies for the Administration of the Women’s Reserve, 1945 Women in the War…for the Final Push to Victory All Hands: The Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin, December 1945 List of Regular and Reserve Commissioned and Warrant Officers on Active Duty in Order of Precedence and Temporary Members of the Reserve, June 30, 1944 The United States Coast Guard: It’s History, Vessels, and Doctrine Yachting, May 1943 Naval Leadership, 1939 The Bluejackets Manual, 1940 Annabel Murray’s Logbook, July 1, 1943- May 12, 1944