Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Share #1 Posted August 18, 2018 An acquaintance of mine brought me an envelope filled with photos of his grandfather's US Army service on the Mexican border with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1922-23. Some appear to be personal photos taken by friends, and some photos appear to have been made into postcards by the division and sold to the soldiers in the unit as keepsakes? The soldier's name was Charley Herren, who evidently served with the 2nd Machine Gun Squad in the division. There's a large number of photos and I've just started scanning them, but thought I would share what I've got so far with the forum. I'll add more photos as I have time go through the group. First, there are several photos of the 1st Cavalry Division on review on the parade grounds at Fort Bliss, Texas. According to the text on the photos this review took place on March 13, 1923. Zooming in on soldiers in the foreground I could spot shoulder insignia worn on the shirts and campaign or service ribbons worn by some of the officers or NCOs. Interestingly the shoulder insignia does not seem to be the familiar black on yellow division patch. Instead, the colors seem to be reversed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #2 Posted August 18, 2018 More review photos... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #3 Posted August 18, 2018 ...and more review photos, including the trooping of the division's colors and guidons! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #4 Posted August 18, 2018 Here's a close up of the trooping of the colors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted August 18, 2018 Some photos of the cavalry on patrol in the desert near the border... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #6 Posted August 18, 2018 Here is a photo of trooper Herren and two Army buddies. What makes this photo interesting is the canvas leggings. Look closely and you will discover that the leggings have been painted in long vertical stripes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #7 Posted August 18, 2018 A photo of trooper Herren somewhere at Fort Bliss, showing off his sidearm, which looks like a 1911 Colt in the close up. More photos to follow as I have time to scan them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Red Devil Posted August 18, 2018 Share #8 Posted August 18, 2018 Fantastic photos. Thank you for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Backtheattack Posted August 18, 2018 Share #9 Posted August 18, 2018 Interesting pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade Posted August 18, 2018 Share #10 Posted August 18, 2018 Could the leggings be half leather half canvas sewn vertically with the leather side toward the horse and taking the most abuse? I have seen other early leggings with leather around the base at the front and back (by the shoe) and canvas as the balance that is a referred to as cavalry leggings? Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #11 Posted August 18, 2018 Hi Renegade. Could be. It would be nice to see an original example of cavalry-used leggings from this era Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade Posted August 18, 2018 Share #12 Posted August 18, 2018 Here is a link with similar photos of leggings and mentions being leather. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/25532-1939-schofield-barracks-mp-photos/?hl=%2Bleggings+%2Bleather&do=findComment&comment=183965 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade Posted August 18, 2018 Share #13 Posted August 18, 2018 Here is a better link showing the leggings. http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/264603-leather-canvas-wwi-cavalry-leggings/?hl=%2Bcavalry+%2Bleggings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade Posted August 18, 2018 Share #14 Posted August 18, 2018 Another http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/264603-leather-canvas-wwi-cavalry-leggings/?hl=%2Bcavalry+%2Bleggings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share #15 Posted August 18, 2018 You nailed it, Renegade, and they make sense. Might have to see if I can locate a pair! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ronnie Posted August 19, 2018 Share #16 Posted August 19, 2018 Yes they are definitely leather. Ronnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Nier Posted August 19, 2018 Share #17 Posted August 19, 2018 Could the leggings be half leather half canvas sewn vertically with the leather side toward the horse and taking the most abuse? I have seen other early leggings with leather around the base at the front and back (by the shoe) and canvas as the balance that is a referred to as cavalry leggings? Just a thought. Having lived in deep South Texas (Corpus Christi) for 40+ years, I've gotten used to our two season climate in these parts -- January and SUMMER. But newly transferred Cavalry troopers would immediately find the dry desert heat to be an exuisite form of torture. That's where their boots fitted with canvas panels facing outwards would provide some relief, by ventilating their legs. And the canvas is a strong fabric that will protect the legs when riding through thorny brush (Every desert plant I've ever encountered when camping with the Boy Soouts has mild to vicious thorns.) Lastly, the canvas panels reflect much more solar heat than a boot made with all dark brown leather. These canvas paneled boots must have been ideal for this southern climate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
American Heritage Posted October 26, 2018 Share #18 Posted October 26, 2018 what awesome photos!! What a thrill it would be to have been a member of those units! Just amazing history and no-doubt proud service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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