Brian Wolfe

Here is the address. One of the reasons I purchased this postcard was because it was addressed to Hamburg and I live in New Hamburg which is just outside of Kitchener (formally Berlin, Ontario). As if I need an excuse to add to the collection. Any help with the translation would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Brian

Is it possible for anyone to read the writing on the back of the card? It may give some idea if this is indeed the 76th Reserve Division. Thanks Brian

Something was wrong with the upload, I'll try again. Brian

Hi Chris, I think the Cold War had a little to do with this lack of general knowledge, which resulted in decreased interest. At least for my generation the Russians were portrayed as the potential the enemy so I would think the governments in the West thought that the less we knew, especially positive information, the easier it was to control our opinions. There was also a matter of national pride and the West made all of the movies, which is as close as many ever get to historical research. I've attached a photo postcard of what the seller described as the 76th Infantry Reserve Division. The shoulder boards do have a 76 on them but I can't read any of the writing on the card. Here is a list of their engagements: Eastern Front Second Battle of the Masurian Lakes 1915 Gorlice-Tarnow Offensive 1915 Romanian Campaign 1916 (I noticed that the exact dates were not available from my source on the internet unlike those of the Western Front - which makes your point, Chris) Western Front (after Russia withdrew from the war) Second Battle of the Marne 15 July - 5 Aug. 1918 Aisne-Marne Offensive 18 July - 5 Aug. 1918 Oise-Aisne Offensive 18 Aug. - 16 Sept. 1918 Meuse Argone Offensive (a.k.a. Battle of the Argon Forest) 26 Sept - 11 Nov 1918, which was the last battle of the war. I hope you like the photo and it is in keeping with your post. Cheers Brian

Here's a view from the other end. Brian

HI Ed, My Kai Gunto has copper and brass mounts in the sun ray pattern. I've attached a couple of photos, I think I've posted this sword about a year ago on the forum. Cheers Brian

Here's a closeup of my favourite part of the instructions. Wouldn't it have been great if they had added "CONTINUE BREATHING" to instruction #2. I hope you like this little item from my collection. Cheers Brian

Here's the back.

The packet's front

Here is a shot of the headband. I hope you can see the date, 1942.

Helo Everyone, A friend of mine gave this interesting item to me after his mother passed away and they were getting her home ready for sale and found it in a drawer. It is a cardboard packet with two eyeshields that were to be used in case of a gas attack. The packet is dated 1942 as is one of the shield's head bands. One of the things I liked about this item is the instructions and I hope these show up well in the last photo of this post. So remember kiddies, as the packet's instructions suggest, "When gas, other than spray, is detected the alarm given will be the GAS BATTLE or the shout of "GAS", on hearing either, STOP BREATHING AND ADJUST FACEPIECE." I would have thought that the whole point of the gas attack in the first place, at least from the enemy's point of view, was to get you to stop breathing! I hope you like this artifact, it had been stored away in a drawer since the war. I wonder how many survived, considering the disposable nature of the kit. Can anyone add more information on these? Cheers Brian

Hi Ed, Thanks for the additional pictures. Nice sword. Do you think the blade is stainless steel? I have one that is rather "massive" compaired to most other WW II blades and it is stainless. Cheers Brian

Hi Chris, I have been thinking about do that for some time now. When I find some time I'll put it together and post his story. Cheers Brian

Hi Ed, That's interesting. What is the Tsuba like? Cheers Brian

Thanks Chris. I've done a ton of research on this fellow. Cheers Brian

All that remains of James Willis resides in my humble collection. His family has forgotten him and has no interest in his history so it is up to an amateur historian and archivist to preserve hundreds of photos of his family from the late 1800s to the 1950s. All of this was on its way to the landfill when it was offered to me for safe keeping. RIP James This ones for you Brian

Here is his Death Certificate.

James Willis was killed in action on 6 December, 1917 and was laid to rest in the Sucrerie Cemetary, Ablain-St. NAzaire, Polt 2 Row 6, Grave 9.

After he landed he was attached to the 1st Canadian Infantry on 17 May, 1917. He is photographed here around OCtober or November 1917. His face now lacks that construction worker attitude he was known for back home, to be repalced with a look of a man who has experienced war and knows his new trade well. I think it is a bit of a grim look, the old 1000 yard stare I think they now call it. By the way, before I get raked over the coals about the "construction worker attitude", I know it all too well as it is my former profession and forms a part of my present (bad?) attitude.

He signed up on 20 May, 1916 at the age of 41 in Berlin (Kitchener) Ontario. This photo shows James just after he landed in England on 6 February, 1917, he sailed on the the S.S. Scandinavian. He still has a cockey attitude that my research shows he possessed in his early years.

Hello Everyone, This is a short pictoral history of 751750 WILLIS, James, Pte. 118th Battalion, 1st Canadian Infantry. The first photo would have been taken around 1912. In this photo he is the fellow to the viewer's left. His trade was "bricklayer".

Hi paddywack, I hope you find the photos. I would be interested in seeing one of these aircraft. If I'm not mistaken the Fairey Gannets were sub hunters that sported 2 contra-rotating propellers in the nose of the plane. A unique craft that was also known as the ugliest aircraft in the world. Cheers Brian

In the meantime while you are getting your photos ready I would suggest you search the web. There are dealers who list such items for sale and that would give you at least market value. Check several sites and take the average as the first one may want a very high price and that would not reflect the true market value. You might even try eBay but remember that some days the closing bid is a buyers dream and the next a nightmare. While I appreciate your comment about the brave young men who wore the helmets keep in mind this has no bearing on value if you are intending to sell these items. Good luck with the photos and your sale. Cheers Brian

Thanks Ed. Brian

Thanks gumbirsingpun. Cheers Brian