army historian

Wow! Leutwein Thanks you just nailed the Colonial campaign and his award of the Warrior Medal. What is the reference please. Again Many thanks. George

Cladius - I was commenting on the boutonniere. I found this from the Imperial War Museum Catalog: German First World War patriotic 'Victory' medalet (or 'Victory penny', designed to be worn on a watch chain) , number 45 in a series of over a hundred coin-sized pieces in silver, chronicling German naval and military successes, and those of her allies, in the first two years of the First World War. The obverse bears the standard design for the series, a winged figure of Victory holding a flaming sword and victor's laurel wreath crown together with the variant inscription 'GOTT SEGNETE DIE VEREINIGTEN HEERE' ('God hath blessed the allied Armies'). The reverse text commemorates the operations, in the Indian Ocean, of the Imperial German Navy's commerce raider SMS Emden (commanded by Kapitän Karl von Müller) , which was sunk by the Royal Australian Navy cruiser HMAS Sydney on 9 November 1914. The text is translated as 'The glorious activity of the cruiser Emden, 2 August - 9 November 1914'. - Cheers Captain George Albert

Yes if it is genuine - Considering that of the crew of about 360, less 15 or so on he Exford, less 40 in the Landing party = about 305 (311 on the ship during the Sydney battle). Muller and all the Officers were awarde the First and Second Class EK. Fifty (50) EK 2nds were awarded to the rest of the crew. There were 129 dead from the battle, and 182 survivors not counting the missing 55 others or 237 total. This man who's boutonniere I have was one of the 50 to be awarded the EK2 (or an Officer), and was not a very long service sailor (no Long Service Medal/cross). Since he lived to 1934 and got the WW1 Honor Cross with swords, he more than likely got the Colonial Badge (1922 Elephant Order) also. Very interesting item. I know one thing, that what ever his last name was, he would of had "-Emden" added to it. Cheers

I believe this has been common pratice for a long time. I have had a Model 1902 US Army dress visor caps that had a felt insert under the sweat band, Model 1882 US dress helmets with the same. I also have used simular (felt or cardboard) on my service visor caps. One other thing I have lined the complete inside of a Model 1902 US visor with cardboard to reshape it (had been lopsided).

Joe, great collection - thanks for sharing.

Thank you both for the insight and information. Yes Bavarian - you could be correct. The possibiltiy that he may have been awarded the "Warrior's Medal" is intriguinng. I can tell he was Naval also. It is too bad that there isn't more information on enlisted men. Cheers George

I picked this little gem up lately - Let me know your reactions. Thanks

Wow - incrediable photo - congradulations. Captain Albert

Wow - very nice group. You should write the Military Records people to see If you can get his history and possible photo.

Not an expert but looks good.

I understand I've missed a few.

Very nice, I love it when collectors can ID a group, bar, etc and find a photo. Outstanding (I know how hard that is). It putting history back together.

Thanks Hardy - I kind of thought so, and a Happy New Year to you my friend. George

Hello all. I am looking for information on the fakes or copies of the Imperial Colonial Medal awarded to Native troops, I think they are 27.9mm x 3mm? I have seen a lot on the market lately. Cheers Captain Albert

Wow - extraordinary! Congratulations Chris.

In doing some research I found out that in the Imperial German Navy 14 year olds could enlist in a "Ship's Boys" unit and receive training until age 17 when they were enrolled as sailors. Since AKO4 indicated he (Pschorr) later served in the 1st Marine Division, I guess this would make sense, and he could of been awarded the Kaiser Wilhelm Centennial Medal in 1897 at the age of 14. Strange. This could also indicate he was a career sailor or marine. Cheers Captain Albert

Thank you AOK4 - that is very helpful. I tried on Ancestry.com (Chris's suggestion) but have been having problems finding the right Josef Pschorr. But this information is sure to help. Since I don't read German a little help with the entry would be appreciated. Cheers Captain Albert

Here are more: Nurnberg

Arriving on shore: Ships in background Scharnhorst, Nurnberg (in front of another ship), two of the old gunboats.

Another interesting photo:

Some more Samoan natives.

Monument to sailors lost in 1889 Typhoon.

Here are a few more - Samoan beauties.

Hello all - just getting around to scanning some photos from a 2 album set (155 pictures) of Leading Seaman Georg Meinert of the S.M.S. Scharnhorst 1909-1913. I will need to spend some time on these, but wanted to post an example. Cheers Captain Albert.

Very nice - I noticed the "Corduroy" tunic - I seen others. Thanks for posting. Cheers George