Jef

Chris,

According to his early war Erkennungmarke, he was in the 1.Komp.

Chip

Yes Chip,

Just like you I was thinking about this E.M.

Kind regards,

Jef

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Hi Jef,

Wow... those are great! That one certainly looks like it took a lot of intricate workmanship to produce... cutting around the full inscription as well as the central design. Beautiful!

I'm so glad more are coming out of the woodwork. I think most numismatists would turn their noses up at such things but I really think they're great.

Thanks so much for sharing them.

Dan

Hello dan,

Glad you like the coins. I think I owe you the reverse of the coin.

These things were made by Belgian people during WWI, as an act of resistance against the German's. But I don't know if it was worn by the makers. Maybe after the war?

Lot's of new born children got the name of the Belgian king or queen: Albert for a boy, Elisabeth for a girl.

So you see , people were inventive ... another way of passive resistance.

With kind regards,

Jef

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Hello Dan,

Since your helmet is a Model 1915, your captian might be a soldier of the First War ( although lots of Adrian M 1915 were in use during the Blitzkrieg of May 1940) So I tried the list of "de houders van de vuurkaart/carte du feu", 'cause there was a chance his name is on that list. Later these men received " het vuurkruis/ croix du feu / fire cross. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to find a captain with that name, but there are two soldiers mentioned. Andr? ( 1st Rgt Engineers) and D?sir? ( 5th Line Infantry Rgt.)I don't know if that list is complete, but I think an officer would be mentioned(?) You can find this list online http://www.tenboome.webruimtehosting.net/guldenboek/gbf.pdf.

You also might try these addresses ( all addresses are in Belgium):

-Legermuseum Jubelpark, 1000 Brussel ( that's the armymuseum in Brussels)

-Stamboek HRG A/N, Bruynestraat, 1120 Neder over Heembeek

-Stafdepartement Inlichtingen en Veiligheid, Aanvraag dossier officieren, Sectie Archieven, Kwartier Koningin Elisabeth, Eversestraat,1 , 1140 Evere.

Hope this is helpful,

Jef

What do you think about these Belgian cut-out coins which were used as a patriotic badge?

The first one was a 10 cents coin from the reign of Leopold II, the second one was a 1 frank ( franc) coin used in the beginning of the First War.

Jef

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And another.

Jef

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Hello again,

As promised, the documents which were sent with the medals

Jef

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Here's a monument to Thomas Ricketts here in my hometown of St. John's Newfoundland. It's a few minutes from my house. A V.C winner we are quite proud of here. He was only about 17 when he won it. I thought someone might enjoy it. Here's some more information.

http://www.answers.com/topic/thomas-ricketts

Thank you Steve for posting this. Actually Pte. Ricketts won his VC near "the Beurt Farm", Gulleghem, South West Flanders. I got a lot of info about Pte Ricketts by Mrs Joy B. Cave, but I never saw that memorial stone before, thank you again. After winning that VC his battalion fought his last battle in the place where i live. British cemeteries in the area were visited this summer by 5 Newfoundlanders ( at least, i could count 5 names in the cemeteryregister) And they put a Newfoundland flag on every cemetery. Harlebeke New British Cemetery, Vichte M.C. and Ingoyghem MC are counting a lot of flags.

We will remember them.

Jef

Thank you John and Michael for your reaction. Think i will make another attempt to have a copie of the letter which was sent togheter with the medals ( keep your fingers crossed).

I also enclose another photograph of the medals. It's a photo of Cecil's brother and sister holding the medals. With respect for their privacy, i only show the medals.

With kind regards,

Jef

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Still issuing condolence slips 60 yrs on?! That does suprise me, any one seen one. Am interested to know.

Incidentally the ribbon of the 1939/43 star was illustraited in a pamphlet I picked up printed in 1944 by "Taffrail" which illustrated ribbons in wear up until that time. The final one listed was the Africa Star.

Regards

Matt Gibbs

Hello John & Mat,

This evening I got a mail of the family with a message there was no condolence letter with the medals. I'm afraid i got no answer on my question: what kind of documents were sent with the medals, sorry.

Jef

Hello Robert,

Maybe these pics are helpfull. Found it in the book:" The pickelhaube" by J.A. Bowman, vol 1.

Jef

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Hello Gents,

Several years ago I published some studies about the fightings in South West-Flanders, October 1918.

The 1st Bn. Newfoundland Rgt. fought their last battle (and got a Caribou monument in Harelbeke)in WWI. During the search for info, someone told me their nickname ( i'm wondering if the last word will show tiny stars?) : the five bob ######s. I was told the Newfie's were paid five bob ( five shilling's??) a day , more than a British soldier. Is there anyone who know's the pay of a British soldier during WWI?

Was wondereing if someone could confirm this, or can throw a light on this.

With kind regards,

Jef

More...

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Could it be an "improved" French knife ?

Hello Chris,

Don't think it's an improved French knife. According to " German Military Fighting knives" written by Gordon A. Hughes, there were a lot of German " Nachkampfmesser' similar like yours.

Kind regards,

Jef

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Jef,

Thanks for showing another interesting image.

If I recall correctly, the Belgian army still has an armoured unit training centre there (Leopard 2, etc.).

Does anyone have any contacts to forces stationed there? It would be interesting to see what the place looks like today.

David

Hello David,

I'm afraid i don't have any info about the modern Belgian Army, but if you are looking in GOOGLE using "Kazerne Leopoldsburg", i'm sure you find a lot of information.

succes,

Jef

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Hello David,

Still have some Beverlo pics, but had some difficulty in sending it.

As I can see Camp Beverlo was in Leopoldsburg ( province of Limburg, french name Bourg- Leopold) It was used by the Belgian Army before WWI. During WWI and II it was used by the Germans. Between the wars and uptill now it is still used by the Belgian Forces.

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