AEF Service Coat. Special Unit 40th Engineers Camouflage, O. Read

[mccooper]

Recently acquired a uniform named to Oley Read, Co. A, 40th engineers, with named occupation as painter. House or artist? The 40th was the US Army's group of camouflage experts, and I would love to know more about them, including their personnel, as they recruited American artists for the job. Google and book searches to date have turned up only one name, an artist by the name of Kerr Eby, very well-known for his later book "War." Any bios of him I found did not contain any meaningful info re: his time in the 40th.

 

Do any of you fellows have any data on the 40th? Or, could you steer me in the right direction? Looks like an interesting topic to research further. Thank you.

 

mccooper

 

 

[Salvage Sailor]

Aloha mccooper,

 

Have you checked out the National Archives website

https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2012/spring/camouflage.html

 

There is a well researched article in Prologue magazine which should give you some info on the 40th.

[mccooper]

Aloha back to you, Salvage Sailor-

 

And a huge "thank you" for this information. The article gives me much info on the 40th, and sources for further investigation at the National Archives. I see there is a daily diary for the 40th, Co. A. Fascinating topic which just got better! Thanks again!

 

mccooper

[mccooper]

Found this book, which also gives a very good account of the 40th in the chapter on the Engineer Corps, "Essayons."

 

mccooper

[mccooper]

Further reading indicates two KIA in the 40th: sculptor Harry Thrasher and artist Everett Herter.

 

mccoooper

[cwnorma]

Great Thread!

 

My Great-grandfather was a corporal in 40th Engineers, Co A. I used to ride my bicycle to my Grandparents' house to spend afternoons with him when I was in Jr High School. He gave me his WW1 uniform, and started me down this road of fascination with that particular conflict.

 

Pop's uniform

Photo of Pop--taken in Asbury Park, NJ before he left for France

Like all members of this unit, Pop was a professional artist. This is one of his watercolors

from his wartime sketchbook.

[cwnorma]

Because of Pop, I also have an affinity for this unit. I've seen a good amount repro patches but over the years I have come across very little material related to this small unit. One interesting item is this engraved watch:

 

It is missing the band, still runs when wound, Waltham with a SS wire-lug case It probably could use a cleaning though...

Engraved: "1st Lieut A. B. Embury 40th Eng A.E.F"

[mccooper]

cwnorma-

 

Thanks for sharing your family info. Also glad to see the watch. Is it yours now? Here is some data on Embury. Now hope to find out who the artists were.

 

mccooper

Aymar Embury II.pdf

[mccooper]

Speaking of artists, attached is a list of those whom I have been able to identify to date; a distinguished group whet you read their bios.

 

mccooper

Known Member of the 40th Engineers.pdf

[trenchbuff]

Amazing uniforms gentlemen! Chris, thanks for sharing the family connection with your group.

[34BDQ]

One of two recorded French made DUIs.

[34BDQ]

[34BDQ]

[Ivydiv]

Brooke, great find. Glad to see you are still at it. See you at the MAPS show. Dave

[Michael the Young AEF Guy]

Hello, wanted to ask a question & join the conversation. Here's a helmet I picked up at SOS this year, 40th Engineer Regiment with a strange flash/insignia on the right side. 3 black bars below a thick black bar. I thought it could be YMCA/Red Cross related but I wanted to gauge public opinion. Thanks in advance!

[vtoldstuff]

Here’s a 1919 photo of 40th Engineers, Company K. Marked “The Pictorial News Co., NY (No. 334).”

[atb]

On 3/4/2024 at 3:58 PM, Michael the Young AEF Guy said:

Hello, wanted to ask a question & join the conversation. Here's a helmet I picked up at SOS this year, 40th Engineer Regiment with a strange flash/insignia on the right side. 3 black bars below a thick black bar. I thought it could be YMCA/Red Cross related but I wanted to gauge public opinion. Thanks in advance!

Looks like a British helmet marking. Maybe the 40th Engineers had some of their own helmet markings.

[Lind007]

 

Heres two more examples.
 

 These are part of a very large 40th eng group I pulled out of the woods last year.