Interesting Swagger Stick

[tfhiii]

Hello,

 

I came across this swagger stick the other day and thought I'd post pictures of it. It's nothing fancy but I think interesting nonetheless. Etched into the stick is "Bermuda...Sgt. C. R. Reid...April 20, 1941". I have done some background research which indicates that the U.S. Army established a base in Bermuda just prior to America's entry into WWII. The intention was to counter German U boat activity (an early successes) and the threat of German raiding parties. I have not had any luck tracking down information about Sgt Reid, however. Any help with this, or suggestions for further research, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

 

Tom

[MattS]

That's a really cool item! Maybe someone can turn up a unit roster.

[tfhiii]

Thanks Matt. I found a reference to the the regiment that was sent, but it escapes me at the moment. April 20th is the date listed in online sources for a regiment being sent to Bermuda to be garrisoned.

 

I'm curious about the tip of the stick. It looks to be a bullet of some sort, possibly a .306 or a larger caliber? Anyway, thanks for your comments and interest.

 

Tom

[MattS]

"1941. April 20. USA sent garrison troops to Bermuda. Newfoundland on the northern flank, Trinidad on the southern, and Bermuda in the center were the first of the new Atlantic bases to be garrisoned. The first contingent had arrived in Newfoundland in January 1941, ahead of the construction forces, and in April the first garrison troops arrived in Trinidad and Bermuda, only a few weeks after the advance party of construction people."

 

From http://www.bermuda-online.org/milquit.htm

 

Funny that the dates coincide, he must have dated it for the day he arrived.

[MattS]

I agree, .30 caliber bullet I'd guess.

[tfhiii]

Thanks for the information! If I have any luck with the name I'll repost.

 

Tom