A super group to Gustav Roeder, Imperial Germany to West Germany !

[Paul L Murphy]

This is one of my recent purchases which came from the family of the recipient. I had difficulty working out which section to post this in since he covers all periods of German history ! Up first are the medals I was able to get, they have promised me the rest of the medals if they find them.

I know the first medal is not Imperial German but it is the biggy of the group. A German Cross in Silver. Zimmermann manufacture and one of their lightweight pieces.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up is the final medal he got, many years later, the 1st Class Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.

[Paul L Murphy]

And now we get into the interesting bits, the documents

His Soldbuch has the usual entries and when I get around to it I will scan all the pages. He was from Stuttgart.

[Paul L Murphy]

This is a certificate dated 20 May 1914. As you can see, some of the printed script has started to fade and it is all in that terribly difficult German scribbly stuff that only Rick seems to be able to read these days !

[Paul L Murphy]

If you thought that was bad get a load of this. It is dated November 1915 and I cannot for the life of me say what it is !

[Paul L Murphy]

Any help on understanding the content would be appreciated.

[Paul L Murphy]

Another document from November 1915

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up a handwritten letter to him/about him ?? Don't worry, it gets easier after this

[Paul L Murphy]

Hi certificate for the Iron Cross 1st Class awarded in 1917 when he was an artillery lieutenant.

[Paul L Murphy]

A rather faded post war document.

[Paul L Murphy]

Some more docs in no particular order.

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2008/post-1487-1221505600.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2008/post-1487-1221505614.jpg

[Paul L Murphy]

At last a photo, looking rather stern.

[Paul L Murphy]

Next up is a nice Weimer era document from 1924. The eagle stamp is very impressive in reality.

[Paul L Murphy]

This next doc has some useful details about him.

Next we have his certificate for his Combatants Cross.

[Paul L Murphy]

In 1935 he got promoted up to Captain in the reserve.

[Paul L Murphy]

In 1939 he got his 25 Year Faithful Service Medal for working in the postal services and we have documents regarding that.

[Paul L Murphy]

In December 1939 he is getting the West Wall Medal so he was obviously one of the early recipients of this.

[Paul L Murphy]

In June 1940 he gets the bar to the Iron Cross 2nd Class.

[Paul L Murphy]

In September 1942 he gets the War Merit Cross with swords 2nd Class. Unfortunately the signature on the document (and his subsequent 1st class award) appear to be stamped rather than hand signed. By now he is a Major.

The 1st class award follows ......

[Paul L Murphy]

Finally the biggie for 3rd Reich collectors, in May 1945 he gets the German Cross in Silver.

[Paul L Murphy]

Another late war doc., June 1945

[Paul L Murphy]

Despite all this he starts to make himself useful to the new powers that be ......

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2008/post-1487-1221506609.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2008/post-1487-1221506621.jpg

[Paul L Murphy]

And finally gets discharged ......

http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2008/post-1487-1221506685.jpghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_09_2008/post-1487-1221506700.jpg

[Paul L Murphy]

Enter a new era ....... but where have I seen that eagle stamp before ??

[Paul L Murphy]

His certificate for the Federal Republic Merit Cross. I suspect this was a final retirement award, although he was pushing on by this stage.