saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) Friedrich („Fritz“) Hermann was born on 17 march 1868 in Lauenburg/Pomerania. From 1883 to 1899 he served in the Navy and left it as Deckoffizier (Torpeder). During the Boxer Rebellion he went to China where he became a civil servant („Marine-, Kasernen- und Lazarett-Oberinspektor, Kontrollführender Beamter und Vorstand der Kaiserlichen Garnisonsverwaltung Kiautschau“). He married (1900) and fathered three children. In 1914 he was taken prisoner and spent the next 6 years in Kurume (Japan). Back in Germany he worked as a customs officer as which he retired in 1933. On his medal bar we see: Prussia, Rettungsmedaille am Band Prussia, Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse 1914 Weimar Republik, Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer Prussia, Dienstauszeichnungskreuz der Offiziere German Empire, China-Denkmünze für Nichtkämpfer 1901 Prussia, Zentenarmedaille (1897) Russian Empie, St-Stanislaus-Order, 3rd class Among Hermann's distinction are quite some interesting ones. He received both his iron cross (1920) and his 25 years cross (1922) at very late point in time due to being a POW before. In addition, we are well informed why he received his live saving medal. Last but not least he must be one of only few Germans to receive a Russian award in connection to the Russo-Japanese War. Edited October 17, 2014 by saxcob
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) In Tsingtao: -promotion document -summer uniform -wife -kids -kids fraternising with the japanese enemy in 1914 Edited October 17, 2014 by saxcob
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 In the POW camp of Kurume: -with the other guys from Schleswig-Holstein -Xmas 1917 - japanese docs - spending money (25 Yen, 20 Sen) for the journey back home - Red cross helps: a new suit
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 Back home: -as a customs officers - retirement doc - a lifetime on a sheet of paper -with wife - "Ordnung muss sein!"
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 The life saving medal. The Unteroffiziers-Zeitung, No. 12 of 24. march 1899 informs us on how Fritz saved a nonswimmer from drowning on 28 July 1898.
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 The FEK, PSL(in circle)= Paul Schulze & Co, Lübeck. Note how Fritz first drafted his application before filing the original!
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 The 25 years officers' cross (and precursors).
saxcob Posted October 17, 2014 Author Posted October 17, 2014 (edited) The star of the Group: St. Stanislaus Order, 3rd class During the Russo-Japanese War the Russian ship Tsesarevich was forced to head for the German treaty port of Tsingtau with three destroyers for escort. Upon arrival the following day, Tsesarevich and her companions were interned and disarmed (last picture). As the responsible officer Fritz had to care for the accommodation of both the healthy and the wounded. In return for his efforts he received the award. Edited October 17, 2014 by saxcob
IrishGunner Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 The star of the Group: St. Stanislaus Order, 3rd class During the Russo-Japanese War the Russian ship Tsesarevich was forced to head for the German treaty port of Tsingtau with three destroyers for escort. Upon arrival the following day, Tsesarevich and her companions were interned and disarmed (last picture). As the responsible officer Fritz had to care for the accommodation of both the healthy and the wounded. In return for his efforts he received the award. Interesting. I was waiting to see why he was awarded this during the Russo-Japanese War... Just happen to be reading about that conflict now
Claudius Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 :jumping: This is just an outstanding group and medal bar. The documentation and research is wonderful. Congratulations SaxCob on getting it and keeping it all together. With the detail you have, I don't think I have any information to add. It is groups like this that made me so interested in the Tsingtau campaign and the fate of the men at the siege. Bravo! Thank you for showing it. If I ever get back to working on my book "The Men of Tsingtau 1914", I would love to feature this gentleman. It would be featured prominitely next to my other Tsingtau groups.
VtwinVince Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 Absolutely first-rate Nachlass, congratulations.
Claudius Posted October 17, 2014 Posted October 17, 2014 In the POW camp of Kurume: -with the other guys from Schleswig-Holstein -Xmas 1917 - japanese docs - spending money (25 Yen, 20 Sen) for the journey back home - Red cross helps: a new suit I didn't notice it before. In the group photo, sitting right next to Fritz Hermann is a guy I have the documents to -Charles Thibaut! I have a photo of him, but I was not aware of this picture. Outstanding! http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/28046-marine-stabzahlmeisters-charles-thibaut/?hl=thibaut
Rogi Posted October 18, 2014 Posted October 18, 2014 I didn't notice it before. In the group photo, sitting right next to Fritz Hermann is a guy I have the documents to -Charles Thibaut! I have a photo of him, but I was not aware of this picture. Outstanding! http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/28046-marine-stabzahlmeisters-charles-thibaut/?hl=thibautDouble awesome hehehehehe :D
saxcob Posted October 18, 2014 Author Posted October 18, 2014 (edited) If I ever get back to working on my book "The Men of Tsingtau 1914", I would love to feature this gentleman. I would be more than happy to offer any support you might need. In the group photo, sitting right next to Fritz Hermann is a guy I have the documents to -Charles Thibaut! Great. Therefore what GMIC has joined together, let no one separate. Edited October 18, 2014 by saxcob
turtle Posted October 18, 2014 Posted October 18, 2014 This is an absolutely outstanding set, thanks for showing! Did he never apply for his Kolonialabzeichen?
dond Posted October 18, 2014 Posted October 18, 2014 A great grouping. You have the person's entire life still intact in one location.
saxcob Posted October 18, 2014 Author Posted October 18, 2014 Paul C Posted Today, 13:44 Very nice group and presentation. Thank you, Paul! It was a pleasure meeting you in Gunzenhausen. I hope it has become clear in between that my GMIC Name is not "sex cop" ;-)
Brian Wolfe Posted October 18, 2014 Posted October 18, 2014 Thank you for posting this interesting and historic group. The gentleman certainly had an intertesting career. Regards Brian
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