I picked up this little gem in a Palmer Massachusetts antique store a few months back and never took the time to look at the photo closely until this past week. The frame was intricately created; something not often seen in run of the mill WWI photos. The gold stars on the corners and bottom of the image should have been a dead giveaway. Once I decided to look at the photo a little closer, I took the frame apart from the back and began to uncover the identity of the soldier depicted in the image. I knew he was a member of the 7th Infantry Regiment; this was evidenced in the collar disc. The 7th New York eventually became the 107th Infantry Regiment of the 27th Division. Harold was in Company H.
The reverse of the photo was beautifully inscribed with everything I needed to know to track this fellow down.
Harold Edward Manners
Killed in France in the
Great War, Sept. 29th 1918
aged 23 years
After extensive research I’ve learned that Harold was killed during the operations before the Hindeburg Line east of Ronssoy, September 29th, 2918. His citation for the day reads:
“This soldier, with great gallantry and determination, advanced against unusually difficult enemy positions composed of strongly fortified machine gun nests until killed.”
I found an auction result online that showed his medals which were sold in 2008 at an auction in NY. A beautifully inscribed NY veterans medal for a KIA was included. I wish I had that grouping!
For more info on H Company of the 107th please check out the following posts: http://txinid.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/eugene-masterson/ , http://txinid.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/pfc-eugene-masterson-kia-part-2/
Provided by Steve M. of http://txinid.wordpress.com/
Portraits of War 
My great uncle was 107th Co H, killed in the same action as Manners. See http://txinid.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/eugene-masterson/ and http://txinid.wordpress.com/2013/03/25/pfc-eugene-masterson-kia-part-2/ for details.
Wow. Touching. Would you like me to link this to my post?
That would be great…thanks!
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Thanks! – I referred to you here: https://portraitsofwar.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/wwi-107th-infantry-regiment-27th-division-ny-kia-portrait-photo-harold-e-manners-meuse-argonne-offensive/
One of the namesakes of our American Legion Post served with this unit. Any information about him would be a blessing. In the process of doing a history on our Post.
The soldiers name was Edward W. Kells from Staten Island NY
Gladly Mr. Modelowitz,
This one wasn’t hard to find.
His army serial number was 1,210,209 – his residence at the time of enlistment was 11 Brook Street, Thompkinville, NY. He was born in Brooklyn and enlisted at the ripe old age of 23. He was with Co. C of the 107th. He fought in the trenches of Dickebush as well as at the Hindeburg Line. He was killed on September (or cited as KIA) 29th, 1918. Nearly 96 years ago…..
What else would you like? I can try to find a photo……. with some luck 🙂
brennan
Hello. My great grandfather’s nephew, Morgan S. Baldwin, was in CO G 107th Reg 27th NY Div and was mortally wounded on same day. I assume as part of same offensive. Sad to think of the carnage. Here is a link to the experiences of Company L which I assume were quite similar. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101073206318;view=1up;seq=9;skin=mobile