Tim B

A quick question possibly relating to the member's card above. I noted a cufflink/lapel pin to the National Federation of Combatants (Federation National des Combatants Belgique) which was posted above with all the other pins. It's the one with the green circle. I assume the member might have been a member of this organization, though as stated earlier I am not sure the pins are original to the group, or if they were just tossed in by the seller. If he was a member, what would the qualifications be for him to have been awarded the Cross of the National Federation of Combatants, which was awarded by Belgian veterans association? Tim

Thought I would throw this into the fray. It's the membership card for Fraternelles De Armee de Campagne. Tim

Colony related??? :speechless:

The next two PIC's are of documents that I really don't have a clue on what they are. I thought perhaps they dealt with military leave, as the booklet has several pages for these entries and most are empty. The second PIC is loose papers of the same type items, so perhaps the member's "carry" copy? Tim

Here's the "Services" page and I circled the entry where I beleive it shows when he entered military service. Tim

Adding some more tonight. Here's the front cover of the Livert Militaire. Note, it's marked "duplicate", so I have no idea where the original is. Tim

Again, only trying to learn here but, these two examples are what I have to come to consider original Croix de Guerre with the double Legion of Honor Fourragere. Other thoughts? Tim

Here's a close-up of the fourragere and the circled area makes me question the authenticity of the piece. Tim

Okay, here's an interesting one and I wanted to wait until the ebay auction was over in case there were bidders (or the seller) here. This one sold for $129.50 if I remember correctly. What do you guys think of this one? I personally think the ribbon is very new looking and suspect it is replaced. What really begs the question is the fourragere. I have never seen a double-fourragere melted/blended like this one. All the pieces look modern. I honestly do not know and only ask for increasing my knowledge base; again the auction is already ended. Tim

and the mark. I still can't figure what the symbol above is.

Here it is. I still think the mark is an M & N with something above the apersand symbol. Lighting can make it look like an M&M, but the right-hand letter is IMO, a "N". Tim

Well, believe it or not, I just now received the item. Haven't had the time to take any real good shots but, looping it, the mark looks to be a triangle with M & N with some design above the apersand symbol. Not sure what it is yet, but will post a little larger PIC of the same design below taken from another seller's piece. I could find M&M and M.N. but no M&N. So...anyone? Tim

...and some trinkets thrown in, though I don't know if they were from the veteran. Tim

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I also have (almost two complete sets) this pamphlet for the Croix De Feu. It really is only the cover, two pages of "trench art" and the back cover is just a small photo of somewhere on the front lines. I'll post the cover and trench art, didn't bother with the reverse cover. Enjoy!! And again, I welcome all comments and again, a special thanks for the help Hendrik! Tim I added a medal to the PIC for S&G's.

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Some "eye candy" as promised. This appears to be an official "Program" for a January 1935 ceremony, honoring the soldiers that served at the front. I am assuming this took place in the city of Spa, Belgium; which is south of, and in the province of Liège. I would imagine this type of ceremony took place in several locations throughout the country. Tim Pg. 1

I can take a PIC tomorrow of the Relation Des Services page in the Livert Militaire. It appears to list his service entry date and some other service dates out to 9 November 1939. Tim

Is there anything in the other paperwork that can corroborate this ? He would as such have been entitled to some purely colonial awards too (service star, medal in a colonial order). Let me check more into his Livert Militaire. I also have some loose paperwork: Cartouche De Conge (Verlopas) Avis De Mutation (Bericht Van Overplastsing); Militares en Conge Illimite

Hi Hendrik! Thanks so much!! I see I am not too far off in my thinking but, you really cleared up some of the confusing parts. I kind of figured this Livert Militaire was similar to the German Wehrpass. Okay, great so far. Now, for some eye candy that came along with the grouping. More answers are welcome!! Tim

Fact is he got 8 (huit = French for 8), the maximum awarded. Would help if I only read things correctly, uh? I still get confused on the timelines. I assume the last period (qualifying bar) was only three months (Aug-Nov 1918)? Because the Fire Cross was not instituted till 1934, the fire card existed prior to that. Thanks, I was kind of thinking along those lines more today and makes total sense. Complete at the time of issue, shortly after the war's end ... later awards were not necessarily reproduced on the card. Again, makes complete sense. Many thanks again my friend. Tim

VERY NICE Dieter! Congrats on an excellent piece! Tim

One thing of interest. He was originally from Liège and, as assigned to the 4th Chasseurs à Pied, went back to defend the city in August 1914 when the Germans attacked the city and surrounding fortress. Of course, then he should have received that "unnofficial" medal as well, though there is no documention on it. Looking at his assignments, you can see he started out in the 1st Regiment and then went to the 4th Regiment as war broke out. Here's some interesting information: At the mobilization in August 1914, the 1st Regiment Chasseurs à Pied lay in garrison in Charleroi. From its ranks, the 4th Regiment was formed and both regiments formed the 15th Mixed Brigade. These regiments were the only units to exist during the whole war. The 15th Brigade was sent on August 5 to Huy and Liège to reinforce the 3rd Army Division. The unit assembled on August 6, 1914 at Fragnée and marched in the direction of Brussels. The 4th Regiment took part in the fighting near the hamlet of ‘Lesson Communes’ and retreated over the Muese around 10 o’clock. The 1st Regiment succeeded in pushing back the German 43th Brigade at Sart-Tilman, in spite of heavy losses. Both units became part of the Brigade N of the 3rd Army Division after the retreat from Liège. The two regiments took part in the attacks from Antwerp on August 24 and September 9, 1914. On October 14, the Chasseurs Brigade defended the IJzer (Yser) river front from Schoorbakke to Tervate. During the battle in the sector Pervijze Kaaskerke it was kept in reserve. During the period of stabilization the regiments occupied different sectors of the front. They took part in the battle at Merkem on April 17, 1918. 1st Regiment Chasseurs à Pied was mentioned in dispatches and King Albert decorated the standard with the Léopold Order. On January 30, 1918 both regiments formed together with the 14th Linieregiment, 9th Infantry Division. During the liberation offensive, the Chasseurs took Langemark, Poelkapelle, Westrozebeke, Oostnieuwkerke and Most. On October 4, 1918, they were at Roeselare. Between October 14 and October 20, 9th Division took part in the battles at Torhout and Tielt. The division progressed along Lotenhulle, Nevele, St-Martens-Leerne, Deurle, Bommelhoek and De Pinte and on November 11,1918 the division was in position on the left bank of the Schelde(Scheldt or Escaut)river from Zevergem to Eke. The 1st and 4th Regiments Chasseurs à Pied won the citation: Liège – Antwerp – Ijzer – Merkem – Oostnieuwkerke So, the guy saw more than his fair share of action. :beer: