IrishGunner

I am looking at this again; our subject has the sleeve insignia on both right and left lower sleeves. Now I'm confused. That does make it seem more like rank insignia. But why so low? Maybe it's not original...

Sorry that haven't jumped in here earlier. Life is intervening heavily. From my info, "four stripes" designate a "Quartermaster Sergeant"; in this case, probably a "Battery Quartermaster Sergeant" But these are "rank" insignia and I think should be higher on the sleeve. In your photo, the Sergeant's rank (3 stripes and gun badge) are higher and on both sleeves. Good conduct stripes look similar - 4 for 18 years; and are lower and but only the left sleeve. These were removed after the soldier advanced in rank beyond corporal. Therefore, I suspect the owner of the uniform just may be as Chris suggests, a Gunner (no rank stripes) with long service, which makes sense for a Territorial. But I am by no means an expert in British Army ranks. The "Gun Badge" should indicate the owner is a "Master Gunner" - but I do not know if a gunner had to be a certain rank to earn this distinction. Here's a good link with some basics about the Territorial Force. T-RFA-LONDON shoulder title designates 1st London (City of London) Brigade RFA (TF). This is wikipedia; however, it's the most info available: City of London Artillery There may be clues for further research among this info. I am not familiar with the "rosette" on the sleeve. A Chris suggests, this may not have anything to do with artillery and could be TF related. Here's where I will hand off to a broader UK expert.

Thanks Glenn! Jock - I know what you mean. It's all about organization. Or chaos.

Jock, this period of the war was called the Race to the Sea. After the Battle of the Marne, both sides continued to look for opportunities to turn the northern flanks, trading actions and ground until they reached the Belgian coast. That is when things settled into the static front that would last through the remainder of the war. 100107885.pdf

Here's an example for the NY Times 2 Oct 1914; while it doesn't mention specific units, it gives a very good impression of the artillery action vicinity Albert. 100328569.pdf

Jock, those newspaper accounts are often very good. I often search the New York Times online archive for events of a specific day. There are many eyewitness reports, as well as official reports from capitals frequently published. I find that newspapers in those days were much better at simply printing the facts and leaving the conclusion to the reader. I also have a NY Times printed book with news photos of the first months of the war in 1914. A lot of photos that are otherwise unavailable. Today, news is more about sensationalizing the facts with outrageous opinions - because that's what sells the news to a public that is unwilling (or incapable) of coming to their own conclusions.

I'm looking for information - from the German point of view - regarding the First Battle of Artois, (27 September - 10 October 1914). I believe this is the French name for the battle and suspect the Germans called it something else. I'm particularly interested in the II. Bavarian Armeekorps during this time - possibly somewhere between Albert and Baupame. Any help or directions toward an online resource is appreciated.

Ooh la la...

Thanks for the info. At least she can try and get her money back if it sells!

This is an item my wife picked up at antiques market; she thought it was some sort of medical syringe (she collects old medical instruments). She paid $10 for the item even though she wasn't really sure what type of "syringe" in might be... Well, it turns out that it isn't a syringe at all. From the markings on the item - "Patent A. Jarmai Wien IX" - a Google search turned up only one reference to the item: 1902 Jarmai Brass &Wood Hand Sewing/Embroidery Machine So, made in Austria; the patent supposedly was registered in Belgium. Measures about 8-10 inches long; about an inch or so in diameter at the widest point of the handle. Anyone know anything more about this thing... Especially possible value? (I almost posted it as a Brian Wolfe lotto scratcher contest!)

To his memory...

Looks like we have some sort of collar badge. Can you read the scrolls under the figures and provide the words?

Tristan, welcome and thanks for posting. You have a great opportunity for some very interesting research. We hope you will share your observations and discoveries.

Bernhard, thanks for that info. I've been going through 251 Divisions and have noted several "Reconnaissance Flights" "Balloon Squadrons" "Artillery Observation Sections" At some point, I will do an article on aviation support to artillery. But this is a very long way away.

Bill, that's how I translate it as well. The passage describes selection of gun positions, including survey and fortification, including concealment. For an artilleryman, it's a very interesting passage about artillery preparations for an upcoming offensive.

Bernhard, thanks for your comments. This research is for an upcoming article on Königlich Bayerisches Reserve Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 1; specifically related to a "sterbebild" I have of a 1. bRFuAR kanonier.

I made a mistake; Bernhard and Andy would be correct, it should be "Fliegermasken" -I read the fraktur character for "k" as "t". Not a photo; It's from a paragraph in Königlich Bayerische Schwere Artillerie about artillery preparations for an upcoming offensive: "Vorbereitung von Fliegermasken und Deckungen gegen Sicht, Erkundung und Bestimmung der Beobachtungs= und Befehlsstellen" I'm usually pretty good at reading fraktur, but the eyes get tired.

Ich brauche bisschen Hilfe. Wie übersetzt man "Fliegermasten" auf Englisch? This word is used as necessary for artillery preparations in support of an offensive.

On the left: Royal Artillery cap badge - King's Crown; WWI to WWII On the right: Royal Canadian Corps of Signals cap badge - probably WWII vintage

Where did you find that? Andy, the amount of beer I owe you keeps increasing!

I suppose now you'll tell me this isn't a hot French babe in a bikini...

Now I feel stupid.

Here's a curious photo that I found while doing a Google search for something else... A French artillery unit with "Death's Head" on their Casque Adrian. I thought the "Death's Head" was only a German motif. Anyone seen this before with the French, especially artillery? For the curious, that's a 220mm mortar; Mortier de 220mm Modèle 1880

I guess that's why I thought he might have received the Brit "War Medal 1939–1945" But then I'd have to look up the criteria; maybe he didn't qualify.

Interesting. Thanks for translating for those of us who can only order Petit Déjeuner. Did he not receive any WW2 awards?