In an attempt to digitize my growing collection of WWI panoramic “yardlong” photos, I’ve been scanning and editing my collection to post here on PortraitsofWar. This photo comes from a small town in Central Massachusetts, not far from my hometown. I found the photo at an antiques flea market in Palmer, MA. The glass was incredible dirty, and the photo has considerable moisture and mold damage, and was in need of some TLC.
The variety of service members is incredible! Of particular interest are the Postal Service member, the Marines, two tankers, and a handful of 26th Division members. What a great image, one worthy of display here at PoW.
Portraits of War 
This is a great photograph. My Grandfather was in the 104th Co. D. I have a photograh of him in France with three other gentlemen I can’t identify. Wonderful digital quality of this panoramic. I’m going to go through it to see if my Grandfather is in it. I realize you got this in a flea market, but is there anything written on the back? Thank you. – Rachel (Lancour) Clark
Rachel,
Excited to help. I’m assuming your grandfather was from Spencer? All of the 26th Division (104th was included in this) are posing on the right side of the photo. Would love to help – send along a scan of the photo and I can try to help. I have access to some material from the 104th and can possibly help ID the guys.
Brennan
My Great Uncle PFC William Edwin Swallow was part of MEDICAL DETACHMENT 54TH ARTILLERY COAST ARTILLERY CORPS. If you could identify the section to help me narrow down where he might be, I would appreciate it. Thanks so much
And he was from Spencer?
it looks like there are some men from Canadian regiments there!
I noticed that! There were many French-Canadian who worked in the mills and factories in the area so I’m guessing he may be a Canadian citizen.
Without a doubt! I have a few cousins that should be in this photo.
I counted 4 individuals, one from the Canadian Engineers, one from The Canadian Field Artillery, One from the Royal Canadian Regiment, and one that could either be an artillery man or a machine gunner, the cap badge is difficult to make out properly.
also there’s two nuns standing on the far right!
I’ve been pouring over this photo for hours! It’s absolutely amazing! And taken in front of the old town hall to boot!
Hey Brennan,
I’m have a few questions with regards to this photo, and I’m wondering if you would be able to email me at daniel42803@gmail.com
Best regards,
Dan
A friend of mine found a ww1 dog tag in Palmer, MA while metal detecting. I’ve been trying to research and locate the soldier to no avail. It is heavily corroded but you can see first initial W, and last name ends with HOSKY. It is stamped PVT COK104INF. Hand carved on the back is April (11?) 1917
Any help would be great!
Are there any serial number digits present?
none that i can see. There is a symbol(?) Stamped before the W in the first name and the might be an A after the W but I’m not 100% sure.
I tried looking searching for a name with those letters but no luck. I might try to look up the transport logs for the that company and might have luck…
I read that names could be misspelled if heard incorrectly so I’ve been going through online searches with a similar sounding names
What are you using to search? The best way to find the roster is to use the ancestry.com WWI Transport Records. I went through the full roll for Co K. 104th and only found a few possibilities.
Does it clearly end in HOSKY and clearly start with W?
yes, I can send a photo of possible
Sure send me an email of the photo hugehistorybuff at gmail
Photos sent. These photos are from the ones sent to me from my friend who is in possession of the tags.