The Marlborough
Historical Society

     Ralph was born the 9^th of April, 1914 in Marlborough, Massachusetts, the only son of Roy and Ina Fillmore.  He spent his early years in Marlborough before moving to Spencer, Massachusetts following the death of his parents.  He eventually made his way to Sellersville and Hanover Pennsylvania.  He worked at U.S. Gauge Steel Company and was a member of the Hanover Volunteer Fire Department.  He also worked as a brakeman on the railroad.  On January 29^th, 1938 he married Emma Cressman. 

     Ralph enlisted into the Coast Guard the 18^th of June 1942 while living in Northborough, Massachusetts and received his basic training at Training Station Manhattan Beach, New York.  He was transferred to the receiving station at Ellis Island New York in July of 1942, and from there was sent to the Third Naval District and the Coast Guard yard at Curtis Bay, Maryland before departing for the Pacific Theater in January of 1944.  He was promoted to Motor Machinist Mate 3^rd Class shortly before departing for the Pacific Theater.  He was assigned to Detachment M, Unit 195 and sent to the staging area on Milne Bay, New Guinea arriving on the 1^st of March 1944. On the 3^rd of July, 1944 while at working in a Naval supply depot, Ralph was riding in a truck moving supplies when the vehicle stalled.  A large spool of wire fell from the vehicle onto Ralph killing him instantly.  He was buried at Military Cemetery #2 at Finschhafen, New Guinea, grave 3287.  His remains were repatriated to the United States in 1949 and he is buried at Maplewood Cemetery in Marlborough, Massachusetts.

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