The world of WWI photo collecting is becoming increasingly expensive; good identified photos are beginning to bring big bucks in the eBay world. I was lucky enough to “steal” this gem of a portrait from the realm of auction obscurity. Identified to a Sgt. Alex Arch of C Co. 6th Field Artillery, 1st Division. I was blown away when I learned that Mr. Arch was the first US soldier to fire against the Germans on October 23rd, 1917. He technically pulled the firing cord of a French 75mm while in Xanrey in the Luneville Section. A great addition to the collection!
Portraits of War 
Hello my name is Randy, I just aquired a WWI 8″ x 10″ Real Photo of Sargent Alex L. Arch sitting down in his Uniform and Helment with a Artillery Casing. This Photo was bought at a local auction, the Photo is personnelized to a Russell Warren who was in the Color Guard per a family member. This WWI Photo is signed by Sargent Alex L. Arch and reads Best Wishes to Russell Warren, From Sgt Alex L Arch Battery C 6th Field Art 1st Division. This is a original Real Photo! Can anybody tell me if this is a rare Photo?
Photos of Alex Arch are not uncommon in the WWI collecting field. I’ve seen a dozen or so over the past few years. One that is signed by him would be considered rare an is likely worth a few hundred dollars. Nice find!
In collaboration with the First Infantry Division Museum on Fort Riley, Kansas, I am producing a 100 year commemorative anniversary exhibit at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan in honor if the First Infantry Division. The exhibit will open August 26, 2017. We are featuring Sgt. Arch in the WWI section. I would appreciate any images you may have of him, his uniform and equipment. We will give credit in the exhibit for your generous support.
Roy Garrett
Exhibits and Operations Manager
Flint Hills Discovery Center
is it possible to post a photo of my picture of Sergant Alex Arch?
Randy Tipps
Sure thing! Send it to my email address. Brennangauthier1986 at gmail dot com
Alex Arch was my Great Uncle. The pic you have is rare to me. I don’t have any pics of him! 🙂
I just emailed my picture to Brennan 11/21/12 to post on his Web site of your uncle, If you would like me to email you a copy contact me at Tipper58@woh.rr.com.
I wonder if the shell casing in my picture be the first shell he fired?????
Alex Arch was my grandfather. My cousin, Alex S. Arch has the shells. My mother and aunts (his daughters) don’t have many memories beyond the few stories he shared, but he wasn’t very talkative about his wartime experiences. As children, my immediate family went with him and my grandmother to West Point where the gun used to fire those first shots was kept (1960’s). The curator took us to a basement room. Grandpa had to drop one of the shrapnel shields to find where his name had been painted and showed us the ‘ding’ where his finger was hit by a piece of bullet or shrapnel. Although I may have been only 10 or so, I can remember that visit vividly. We also visited one of his Army buddies in Stoneham MA during the same trip. We lived next door for a while in 1977-78 when our son was born and I remember Grandpa holding him on his lap. I think my son was the last of his great-grandchildren he held as a baby. We are proud of him and his service to our country.
Sorry for not replying to this incredible comment earlier. Would you mind if I added it to the main body of the post? What great memories….
I don’t mind at all. Also, if you have any pictures of him you’d like to send me, I’d appreciate it. Thanks! — Ken
Hi all…
Ken Roush and Dave Barkley..Alex Arch is my G-G Uncle on my moms side..the Hungarian/Austrian side. He was my moms grandmother Rose’s brother. I knew about him as well and all this before all these pictures the family didn’t have showed up online.
On 07/08/2016, I (63) went with my son (39) and oldest grandson (7) to West Point where we met with one of my cousins (64), his son (37) and HIS two older children (5 & 3). We got a VIP tour from the curator at the museum and took many pictures of the gun used almost 99 years ago! I remember “Aunt” Rose minimally as I was born in November 1952 and was quite young while she was alive. Grandpa and Grandma Arch lived on Dubail Avenue and Aunt Rose (from what I remember) lived on Indiana Avenue (around the corner from each other). It’s great to hear from another close family member!
Danae wells my email is kroush1152@yahoo.com
Ken
May i get your email address,,,?? My g-grandmother Rose died when my brother was about a year old in 1969. But her brother Alex (who we speak of here) lived to the 70s I believe. I would love to hear about your side of the family…I only came back here (saw that post) as our remembrance day in Canada is this Friday. Yes she lived on Indiana Avenue from what I know.
Hope to hear for you soon
Danaé Wells
Kroush1152 at yahoo
This was cool to find out. My grandfather told me about this. I’m related to Alex Arch. My grandfather has his medals and uniform. This is a huge accomplishment for my family. This was a cool fact to learn.
Any chance you can take a photo of the uniform?
Hello
I have acquired a picture of Sgt Arch sitting next to a shell in his uniform with his helmet on. It is signed. If uknow the person that has the medals and uniform keep it in the family so many people sell their family stuff like that and I just think thats horrible. If u want a copy of the photo I have email me @ ball7881@outlook.com
In collaboration with the First Infantry Division Museum on Fort Riley, Kansas, I am producing a 100 year commemorative anniversary exhibit at the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan in honor if the First Infantry Division. The exhibit will open August 26, 2017. We are featuring Sgt. Arch in the WWI section. I would appreciate any images you may have of him, his uniform and equipment. We will give credit in the exhibit for your generous support.
Roy Garrett
Exhibits and Operations Manager
Flint Hills Discovery Center