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WWI 26th Yankee Division, 102nd Field Artillery Doughboy – Walter Laskowski

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Originally a member of the 8th Co. Coastal Artillery based out of Narragansett Bay (RI) until April 1918, Walter eventually joined the 102nd Field Artillery of the 26th Yankee Division.  I was lucky enough to acquire two inscribed photographs depicting Walter in both roles.  His seated portrait was taken before his June 1918 departure for overseas service.

An interestingly decorated backmark shows that the seated portrait was taken in at 162 Thames Street in Newport, RI.  The Electric Studio’s logo includes a fanned array of lightning bolts emanating from the written portion of the backmark.

For further information on the Rhode Island National Guard unit Walter belonged to, click the link below:

http://www.or.ng.mil/sites/RI/army/56tc/a219sf/default.aspx

WWI 2nd Army Engineer – Immaculate Portrait Photo

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2nd Army Engineer

The crisp details of this photo make it the best 2nd Army portrait in my collection.  Although we can’t know which Engineering unit he served with (there were many in the 2nd Army), we can deduce a few things from the elements present in the photo.  The crisp focus on his collar discs allow us to see that he was in Company E of an engineering unit of the 2nd Army.  Note that the disc on his cap lacks the E designation.  His 2nd Army SSI patch is well stitched and placed perfectly below the shoulder line.  His WWI victory ribbon has one campaign star.  A super example of a 2nd Army photo!

2nd Army Patch

WWI 12th Veterinarian Hospital RPPC Photo Pair in Treves Germany

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Members of the 12th Veterinarian Hospital

Straight from the bowels of a poorly listed eBay auction comes this tantalizing pair of WWI photographs.  At first glance the images seem to contain little information to help aide in their historical dissection, but upon further sleuthing I found some clues to their identification.  After scanning the first image on my super-duper Epson V700 scanner (awesome BTW), I zoomed in on the wagon using Photoshop.  The name VET HOSP 12 can be faintly seen between the wagon wheels.  A quick google search yielded a website dedicated to the 12th Veterinarian Hospital, which dealt with the care of horses during the Occupation period.  I looks like the hospital was started in late December of 1918, and continued to service 3rd Army horses for the bulk of the Occupation.

The obverse of the second RPPC shows a date and location of January 1st 1919 in Treves Germany made out to a Mr.Arthur Fessler (hard to make out the last letter) in Philadelphia, PA.  The card is a German postcard paper, and the style of chair is one I see almost exclusively used in German portrait studios of the period.  The young doughboy is not wearing a shoulder sleeve insignia (aka Patch) but I assume he soon received one, as the first photo shows the patch in wear.

Interested in learning more about the 12th Veterinarian Hospital?  Check out this site:

  http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~gregkrenzelok/veterinary%20corp%20in%20ww1/veterinaryhospitalno12ww1.html

Or check out the U.S. Army Veterinarian Corps  Historical Preservation Group Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Army-Veterinary-Corps-Historical-Preservation-Group/127549193983683

Posing in a German Studio

The Ladies of the 388th Bomb Group – Air Nurses, WACS, Red Cross Women

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One of Alva’s favorite subjects to photograph was the ladies around Knettishall.  Some are too risque to post here, but a number show various female service members.  Included are WASPS, Air Nurses, WAC Ladies and Red Cross workers.  I will post a few here to show the range and the quality of the collection.  Please feel free to message with requests!

An Air Nurse Poses for a Portrait

WWI Doughboys w/ Mascot Dogs – A Photo Study

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One common thread that tends to run throughout all participants in global conflict seems to be the mascot dog.  I’ve seen hundreds of WWII photos that show happy soldiers posing next to furry companions.  In some cases, the dogs are military service dogs whose main goal is to aid in combat or medical roles. More often than not, these photos depict unit or personal mascots who helped boost morale.  This post goes out to the mascot dog.  Without you these fun WWI photos would not be possible!

Field Medics w/ Mascot Dog in France

A Vet and a Dog

Advanced Sector w/ Croix de Guerre and Mascot Dog

Civil War 150th Anniversary Posting – 6th Vermont Surgeon Edwin Phillips

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Just in time for the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War!  One of my favorite Civil War portrait photos comes from a pawn shop in Shelburne Vermont.

After purchasing the image, I went on a rampage of research and documentation to figure out who this fella’ was.  Turns out he was a prominent surgeon in the 6th Vermont during the war.  I still have more reading and writing to do on this piece, but I wanted to post it as a kick-off for the 150 year celebration of the Civil War.

More to come…………………………….