EK 1914 WWI Iron Cross 2nd class research?

[Mark McM]

Hi All,

I recently acquired a fine 1914 Iron Cross 2nd from the grand-daughter of the recipient. I have the soldier's name, region where he was from and what his family business was, but no information about unit, service, etc. He survived the war and immigrated to the US where he became an attorney. Is there any way to research a Great War German soldier by name and region of residence? Thanks for any input...

Regards,

M~

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

depends VERY much on the region.... which Region is it?

[Mark McM]

He's from the Solingen area. In fact, his last name is Ern and his family business is one of the large knife, razor and scissor makers that carried the Ern name.

Edited November 20, 2013 by Mark McM

[turtle]

If he was wounded or taken POW you maybe will find him here: http://des.genealogy.net/eingabe-verlustlisten/search/index

But the list is only 70% completed at the moment.

[Chris Boonzaier]

I am a cutthroat razor shaver. I used to have an old ERN Razor to do the dirty. I must go through the box and see if i still do!!

[Mark McM]

Thanks for the lead, turtle. Two Max Ern's show up in that database and both are from Solingen , but the grand-daughter had no knowledge of him being a POW. However, the family was always tight lipped about his background, which was most likely a biproduct of the times (as a German ex-pat in 1930s and 1940s America who is trying to be a successful attorney, he seems to have kept a tight lid on his German army service history). The mystery continues...

Chris, yes, they were prolific razor makers and the Ern name is associated with high quality. I've searched around some of the online auction sites and it's easy to find them!

[Mark McM]

Gentlemen,

Through some additional digging, I've pretty much narrowed the search down to Gefr. d. Res. Max Ern, Reserve Infantry Regiment Nr.53, II Bataillon, 8. Kompagnie. Is there a resource available that can confirm awards? Thanks!

Edited November 28, 2013 by Mark McM

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Mark,

unless you turn up his Militärpass, zero i am afraid.

By the way, i saw some pics of a nice ERN made WW1 combat knife... I wonder if he got a discount on those ;-)

[Ulsterman]

Is there an RIR 53 book?

[Mark McM]

Hi Chris,

I've seen one or two Ern knives and thought about looking for one as it would be cool to display with the IC. Max may have been able to get a discount, but I doubt I will!