1940-1944 Detailed Daily Diary of a Delaware Nursing Student Turned Young Wife to a Soldier as the War Carries on in the Background

On offer is an interesting diary detailing the daily life of a young woman in wartime America.

The diary belonged to Norma Tyson Bowen (1921-1997). Norma was born to Daniel Franklin and Lula White (Tyson) Bowen in Delaware. In 1944, Norma married William Woodrow Snyder of Madrid, New York. They married at the New Castle Army Air Base in Delaware, where Snyder was stationed. They had one child, David. At the time she wrote this diary, Norma lived in Wilmington, Delaware with her parents. She marries William (Bill) in April of 1944, and they live together for the remainder of the diary, which concludes in October, 1944. 

In 1940, at the age of 19, Bowen is a student nurse studying at St. Francis Hospital in Delaware and living in the nurses’ quarters. Entries detail the daily routines of class studies and practical work on a hospital floor. By late summer, she has completed school and spends months job hunting, naming the hospitals at which she drops applications. Throughout school she is involved with boys named Andy and Dennis. In November of 1940, she begins working for a Mr. Bogach. She does not appear to have stayed in the nursing field. Census data and her notes in her diary  indicate that she worked in administrative roles. 

“Went to morning prayer. On duty from 7:30 to 9:30, 4:00 till 7:00. In class from 9:30 til: Had test. In evening studied for anatomy test. Andy called. In bed 9:30” [Jan 30, 1940].

“Worked from 1-3, 6-9 Went to Lena’s in afternoon. In eve Adrian De Jong came to see me. In bed 12:00” [June 5, 1941].

“Up early worked from 1-3, 6-9 In eve went to movies with Dennis. Saw Belle Starr Home at 11:30” [Dec 6, 1941]. 

“Started to work at McKees Optical Co. Hrs from 8:30 – 5:30 spent evening at home in bed early” [June 30, 1942].

“Wedding day. Married 9 A.M. N.C.A.A.B. Left for Madrid, NY 22:44. Had wedding…hence. Chaplain Packs here for reception” [April 8, 1944]. 

She makes note of the U.S. declarations of war but the war doesn’t figure prominently in her daily life, other than the friendship she developed with William Snyder. In November, 1943, she visited the New Castle Army Air Base where she met Snyder. They began dating and in January, 1944 were engaged. They married in April of 1944.

In the memorandum section at the back, Bowen has noted key events by date, mixing personal, local and global notes to create a fascinating timeline. An excerpt: 

“Dec 24, 1940 Got 20 piece dresser set…Dec 7, 1941 US declared war on Japan…June 30, 1942 Began work at S.L McKee’s at 8:30AM…Feb 26, 1943 Grand-dad Bowen passed away 10:55 Memorial Hospital…Nov 17, 1943 Met Wm W. Snyder at New Castle Army base…Feb 4, 1944 Bill and I got our diamond and double wedding bands…Sept 23, 1944 Baked my first layer cake with mocha icing for Bill…”

This diary is an excellent window into the day-to-day life of a young woman in America during the war years. For a social historian, the value lies in the detail she notes of daily life. A researcher or student of Women's Studies would find this a wonderfully detailed look at the role of women in this time period – a role that was undergoing significant change.

Measuring 5.5x4 inches, it contains 365 pages and is approximately 95% complete. The diary spans January 1940 through October 1944. The hard-bound volume is in fair condition The clasp on the locking strap is missing but the pages are in good condition, though the spine binding is loosening, it is intact. The handwriting is legible.