David Biggins

Glenn, Having only worked with Boer War records and information in the past, I find the German information almost impenetrable. A chap called Neil very kindly translated his biography for me. It reads: He previously took part in the Boer War campaign and was later in the Argentine service. As a true German patriot, inspired to be of service to his beloved Fatherland, he requested his immediate resignation from the Argentine army. After overcoming unending difficulties he eventually reached the Dutch coast on 27/6/1915 under false papers. In August he served on the staff of Commander of the motorized troops of 11th Army and took part with the army of von Mackensen in the whole of the Serbian campaign. On an official journey during the night by motor vehicle he met with an accident and plunged down a slope before the Maas bridge in Namur. Thus he was flung in the river and met his death. Do you know of many German officers who served in the Argentinian Army before the Great War? Many, many thanks David

Ed, The QSA is impressed as I would expect it to be. It is named to 9705 Cpl A Von Stosch, Kitchener's Horse. His medal was sent to him in 1907 via the British Embassy, Berlin. The QSA has no clasps but he is entitled to the clasps 'Cape Colony', 'Orange Free State', 'Transvaal' and 'South Africa 1901'. Here's a partly blurred picture of the rim of the QSA. Regards David

Glenn, If I had the wrong von Stosch, does that mean Alexander von Stosch is not entitled to the Franz Joseph? I cannot read German but I cannot see anything in the text you inserted. This is the except from the army list that I used. Many thanks David

Rick / Glenn, This is amazing information. Thank you so much for taking the trouble to look him up for me. All that I have is his QSA. It is very unusual in that the normal suspended and bars have been removed. A loop suspended has been added so that he could waer this medal in the normal German style. The medal was accompanied by the except from the 1898 Army List as well as his attestation and discharge certificate from Kitchener's Horse, with whom he had served for just over a year in 1901. It really is a very unusual QSA and this is the main area of interest for my brother and I. Can I take it that he would not have gained any further medal entitlement for the Great War? The combination with the Commander of the Order of Franz Joseph is in itself very unusual. Many thanks again for all your help With best wishes David

I am new to this Forum and this is my first post. I am looking for help in tracing whether a German officer served in the Great War. He is listed in the May 1898 Army List as Hauptmann (Captain) in the 3rd Garde Regiment zu Fuss. He was the second son of a Countess and lived in Braunsberg, East Prussia. His name is Alexander von Stosch. He served in the Boer War on the British side in Kitchener's Horse. He was 26 during the Boer War so 40 years old in 1914. I am wondering if he served in the Great War? Can anyone suggest how I pursue this enquiry please? Many thanks David