HOPEDALE, April 18 [1944] - Henry Edward Rumse, pharmacist mate 3-c, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward J. Rumse, was killed in action April 16, while in the service of his country in the South Pacific, according to a telegram received late Monday afternoon from the Navy department. The cryptic message which conveyed the sad news to his parents, was signed by Vice Admr. Randall Jacobs.
Mate Rumse was home on furlough last September and at that time had decorations testifying to his participation in four major sea battles. Since that time letters have been received regularly from him, but in a recent letter he wrote that he had not been getting news from home though his folks were sending papers and mail.
He was born in Holyoke, April 28, 1922, and came to this town several years ago when his parents bought the former Augustus Westcott property where they conduct a poultry farm. Both of his parents served in World War I, his father in the army and Mrs. Rumse in the nursing corps overseas.
Love of adventure was evident in Henry's character throughout his life. He loved to travel and was not content until he had enlisted in the navy July 22, 1941, while a sophomore at St. Mary's High School, five months before Pearl Harbor, and had been in the South Pacific a year and a half. He loved his job and gave the best that was in his nature to the task. Loyalty and devotion to his duty were his distinct attributes.
In addition to his parents he is survived by five sisters, all of Hopedale, Mrs. Francis Durgan, Miss Francis Rumse, pupil nurse at St. Vincent's Hospital, Worcester, Gertrude, Joann and Pauline Rumse.
He is the fifth Hopedale youth to pay the supreme sacrifice. The others include Corp. Lowell Hammond, Sec. Lt. Francis I. Wallace, Lt. Leverett Clark and Tech. Sgt. Francis X. Gaffney. Milford Daily News
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