doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Share #1 Posted December 18, 2015 Going through a small lot of insignia I had gotten a few years ago I came across a small metal piece in the bottom of the box.It was brass in appearance and had a bit of wieght to it.In the center it had a nice machined hole.Also was a small scrap of paper with a piece of twine/cord wrapped around it.I hadnt paid to much attention to it and continued looking throught the ribbons and other items.Once sorted through it dawned on me the paper was about the size of the odd piece of brass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted December 18, 2015 For size comparison here is the brass piece beside one of the ribbon bars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted December 18, 2015 For size comparison here is the brass piece beside one of the ribbon bars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted December 18, 2015 When I opened the paper I saw this written on the paper. I have seen a lot of things brought back by veterans but this has to be one of the more unusual things. I read it as "Window LATCH Off of the H.M.S Queen Mary" Appears the latch had been wrapped in the paper but came out of one end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WW2JAKE Posted December 18, 2015 Share #5 Posted December 18, 2015 wow i wonder how they got that, wonder if they got it before or after it was sunk? either way seems weird... only reasonable explanation i can think is they were first to the scene and they took wreckage from the water?regardless, that is a pretty cool piece! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted December 18, 2015 Not sure but all the items were from a soldier of the 1st infantry division and appeared to be occupation era.The ribbon bars are all mounted to be sewn on and a couple have German wool backing.There are a half dozen woven CIB badges that are german made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AAF_Collection Posted December 18, 2015 Share #7 Posted December 18, 2015 Rather than being from the HMS Queen Mary, which was sunk during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, I would suggest the GI actually meant RMS Queen Mary, the luxury liner which was converted into a troop ship during WWII. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hink441 Posted December 18, 2015 Share #8 Posted December 18, 2015 I am pretty sure this was from the Vet's ride to Europe. Great piece. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katieony Posted December 18, 2015 Share #9 Posted December 18, 2015 What a unique souvenir...thanlks for posting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted December 18, 2015 Share #10 Posted December 18, 2015 Typical GI behavior to take pieces off your transport ship as you disembark... which means someone had to later go through and replace everything that was missing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted December 18, 2015 Thats what I was thinking Gil, just something taken to remember the ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted December 18, 2015 Rather than being from the HMS Queen Mary, which was sunk during the Battle of Jutland in 1916, I would suggest the GI actually meant RMS Queen Mary, the luxury liner which was converted into a troop ship during WWII. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Queen_Mary Thanks Matt I agree its from the transport liner.Vet just wrote it this way.Probablt didnt know the differance Matt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mustang Posted December 18, 2015 Share #13 Posted December 18, 2015 What a conversation piece.I like it.I wonder how many of those are still in existence? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted December 19, 2015 Share #14 Posted December 19, 2015 Very unusual find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddyboots Posted December 19, 2015 Share #15 Posted December 19, 2015 You could always send a pic to the museum in Long Beach to see if it matches. But you never know the ship may have been refitted after the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted December 19, 2015 Share #16 Posted December 19, 2015 I have stayed on the ship many times. Its great. Looks like one of the latches. owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFMike Posted December 19, 2015 Share #17 Posted December 19, 2015 Never know what somebody keeps for a souvenir. I cut a piece from a parachute I jumped once. Also got a compass I took from a crashed C130. Saw a funny show once where a guy was kidnapped by aliens and held on a spaceship. When asked if he could prove it, he said, "I got a knob." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROBS Posted December 19, 2015 Share #18 Posted December 19, 2015 haha I guess those GI's will steal anything, Ron!! -Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USCapturephotos Posted December 23, 2015 Share #19 Posted December 23, 2015 This Gi souvenir made me smile Ron. Thanks for sharing. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ssgmac Posted January 8, 2016 Share #20 Posted January 8, 2016 Neat, probably a farm kid, and his 1st boatride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolved Posted May 20, 2016 Share #21 Posted May 20, 2016 If authentic, probably one of the only pieces you will find like this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted May 20, 2016 Share #22 Posted May 20, 2016 I posted a similar Queen Mary souvenir in March and nobody even commented. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BROBS Posted May 20, 2016 Share #23 Posted May 20, 2016 http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/262962-port-hole-dog-from-the-hms-queen-mary/ just for others who want to see.. material (brass) seems to match the window latch. apparently the soldiers stole items from the only thing they could get alone with.. the porthole! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 26, 2016 Author Share #24 Posted May 26, 2016 If authentic, probably one of the only pieces you will find like this. I gave it to friend..guess if its fake he will have to decide............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Revolved Posted June 17, 2016 Share #25 Posted June 17, 2016 I posted a similar Queen Mary souvenir in March and nobody even commented. BKW Maybe something to do with pieces like this being hard to identify. Im not really sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now