Rich

Just wondering whether anyone can confirm what I think reads the award of the Iron Cross 2nd Class in January 1915 and also the wound badge in July 1918 (less certain, does not seem to fit with German script but cannot think other than 'verw. abzeichen' would fit), but cannot make out in what grade. I have highlighted these areas. I cannot make sense of the remainder of the script, so if anyone could have an attempt it would be appreciated. Does it show any other medals or distinctions? It is to a a soldier of the 175th West Prussian Infantry - more of the other documents are (mistakenly) in the AH section. Thanks, Richard

Thanks for the information Tony. That would make sense. It seems he had a very busy war looking at all those battles and time in the trenches. Yes, that German 'copperplate' script is useful. Someone shared similar with me a few weeks ago on the site when I was trying to decipher some handwritten Iron Cross documents. I will save that example as it has upper and lower case together! Cheers Richard

Thanks Tony for taking the time to have a look. I shall have a look in more detail when I get time. It's learning the script and the military jargon that's difficult, especially when not a native speaker. Thank you, Christian. Much appreciated.

And the main reasons why I purchased the lot, the certificates for his German and Austrian WW1 medals. The first is commonplace, the later not so much. If he had an Iron Cross certificate our Ausweis paperwork (to which I think it shows entitlement in his book pictured above) it would have been more complete. I do wonder whether he also applied for the Bulgarian WW1 medal too; but the set was otherwise so complete I'd have been sure that material would have been kept too. PS - now we have found out he was German, perhaps we need to move this to the German section?

Thank you, Tony - I usually buy British medals but I do like the ephemera that comes with other nations' WW1 awards because, with their medals being unnamed, it is the only tangible link to these men. I saw this set for sale and so just had to buy it. I think you might be right, Christian thank you. I could not see the wood for the trees - I think I got swept up with the Austrian medal application angle and neglected the obvious - the front of his Militarpass does indeed look German! I've also got his discharge letter but I cannot decipher much of it; does this provide any more information about his wartime service? Cheers Richard

I think this states he was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd Class in January 1915, but I cannot make out any other awards - presumably a silver medal for bravery and a Karl Truppenkreuz should also be listed? If anyone could decipher more I'd appreciate it.

I have a bundle the Soldbuch/Wehrpass and commemorative medal applications and award certificates relating to a former Austrian soldier of the 175th and 343rd Infantry regiments, who subsequently settled in Germany. Thought this original correspondence that came with the Legitimation certificate for the Hungarian WW1 Commemorative Medal might prove of interest. I've seen the pink receipt before, but not the other paperwork that came with it. I'm not a native speaker so excuse any mistranslation. He also successfully. applied for the Austrian and German medals, which might explain why the booklet he sent off to verify his claims is in such poor condition after all that time in the post, with civil servants leafing through it. Legitimation Certificate no 268935, dated 28.4.37 Hungarian Medal Document: Very honoured comrade! I have the honour to inform you that His Serene Highness, the Imperial Administrator of Hungary, has awarded you the Hungarian War Remembrance Medal. I am sending you the medal and the authorization (certificate) that entitles you to wear it with the sincere wish that you will be able to wear it for a long time in loyalty to Hungary and in good health. In order to counteract various doubts that may still be harboured, we hereby announce that holders of the German World War Cross of Honour are permitted to wear this medal without authorization. With comradely respect and Hungarian greetings, von Farkas, Colonel a. D. Small paper insert also with the Hungarian Medal Document: In response to general and repeated requests, certificates in artistic execution will be produced for the award of the Hungarian War Remembrance Medal. Every holder of the Hungarian Kr.-Er.-Med. has the right to purchase one from me for 1 Reichsmark, subject to his legitimation of the Hungarian Kr. Er. medal, which will then be sent back to him with the certificate. Postal check: Berlin No. 137 467. Colonel a. D. by Farkas. Did they ever produce this 1 mark illustrated medal certificate? He also seems to have had a busy war - his list of postings and campaigns (presumably) seem to be pre-printed and glued into his booklet.

Thanks very much for the link, very useful I think - my handwriting is pretty untidy so I think I'll have a head start. Much obliged.

Thank you once again for your help - that handwriting always baffles me! How Interesting - just an 'in the field' note to state he has been awarded the Iron Cross and will later on received the formal certificate. Richard

I also have a second Iron Cross certificate and I'd be grateful if you could help fill in the gaps. I can read the recipient as (I think) August Potthast of the "Ober-Elsässisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 172" (3rd (Upper Alsatian) 172 Infantry Regiment), born 16 June 1894. Cannot read where. I googled this regiment and it seems to have been signed by a Lt Col Kurt Panse. Again, if someone could help fill in the gaps and give me a translation if would be much appreciated. Also, is it possible to easily search a database to find out if this man survived the war? Thanks Richard

I never thought to ask about the signature at the bottom as it seemed so faded. Now you have said it, I can make out a 'Becker'. Thanks again. Only fly in the ointment is I looked a bit more into the Albert C T Muller of Stralsund who married in 1894 and it shows him as being born in 1848... bit too long in the tooth for WW1 it seems. Cannot find a son or anyone else of that name though. Back to the drawing board... If you belong to the free family Search site, this is the entry https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6FT5-PSF3

Thanks again for having a look - I agree, the O does look like it was due to the ink - and if the transcription on Family Search is as haphazard as Ancestry then I doubt they'd have spent much time looking before typing it onto the database - one of my British medals belongs to a "Defective Constable" instead of Detective Constable on the 1939 Register according to Ancestry... At least it gives me a point to dig deeper to see if I can find any more. I'm assuming the WW1 service papers are all gone, following 1945? Richard

I had a quick google and one potential candidate could be the following, temptingly similar and no others seem to fit as well. A marriage in 1894 might also fit with Landwehr service in WW1 due to age? Big problem is that surname is listed as MOLLER, not Muller, and the original marriage documents seem to have an O and not a U. (Of course, it is possible that the EK2 document has him incorrectly/interchangeably listed as MULLER?) Not enough to stand up in court, but I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Thank you both very much. I've always liked German documents, but sometimes the script defeats me, as does the research potential. Thanks also for the link -an amazing find. Richard

I recently acquired this certificate - excuse the photo quality but it is under glass in a very old, sealed frame. Awarded to a member of the 20 Landwehr Division in September 1917. A bit of googling suggests this was when the unit was on the Western Front. If someone could verify the handwritten information I would appreciate it, as I am not certain of the rank etc. preceding the name. I read the name as "Christian Theodor Albert Muller" of 3 company Landwehr Infantry Regiment 387. Is his first name Albert, as that is underlined? I'm not familiar with the protocols Also, from which part of Germany was this regiment raised, and are there any research possibilities? I'd also be interested in knowing whether he survived the war. Thanks in advance Richard

Just gave the Verdure medals a bit of spit and polish for the first time in probably a century and it seems it is the 1st class version he received in 1910, noting the gilding on the suspension. Hopefully his second class medal is out there, or was awarded unnamed! Richard

Hmm, I shall try that too. I've registered with Geneanet and some of the more common names have come up trumps!

I have found one or two of my men with the basic search - but they had unusual surnames. I can see the Premium version would be much better. You still get quite a lot of information for free.

Hi Michael that is excellent information. Thanks once again for your help with my research. I shall have to look at Geneanet again as looks really useful. Cheers Richard

I have just acquired a Bronze medal for Honor and Devotion, named just X Blay. After some patient work with the site Hendrik showed me, I have found out it was issued to an SNCF man in July 1948, a Xavier Blay.

Felix Chanas' military service records - ties up with his later Algerian police service http://anom.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/regmatmil/osd.php?clef=Chanas-Félix Maurice-1916-2059-Algérie-Alger-1896-11-20-Dolfusville-Alger- I am also trying to research a bronze honour/devotion medal (as per above to Verdure) named to an X (Xavier?) BLAY in the Journal of France, but I cannot find any mention of the award. I found an X Blay who was a French sailor killed in WW1, but that is the nearest. The medal seems old. If someone better skilled could locate the date/reason for this award I'd be much obliged. Thanks Richard

Bonsoir Gerard That is very kind of you to offer, and such a coincidence! Apologies I have only just seen your post as I have had busy week and not checked-in to the GMIC. I would be very grateful if you could help me locate M Verdure's police record. It seems - from my reading of the French language! - that they will happily provide service papers for free, in a reading room. This is there website with the detailes https://www.prefecturedepolice.interieur.gouv.fr/archives If you read through it and would still be willing to help by going and copying or photographing the Verdure's papers, please let me know and I would happily take up your kind offer and pay you for your time and any expenses. Thanks, Richard PS: Medals arrived today, I have added some pictures.

Thanks very much. I will have to investigate Parisian researchers once I have a few more gendarmes to research. Much obliged. Richard

I have just used that website and found another of my gendarmes - one Felix Chanas, a policeman in pre-WW2 Algeria. Excellent I have also found Verdure's pre-service military service document - it seems he was exempt from mobilisation as he was a police officer https://archivesenligne.pasdecalais.fr/v2/ad62/visualiseur/matricule.html?id=620474663&imgpage=frad062_1r_9163_0361.jpg&cote=1r_9163 Showing he came from St Omer South, and served in the 10th Arrondisement (?) of Paris.

"The food here is bad as a dog's ass" Excellent. Really brings the past alive. Richard