Post Your Span-Am to WW I Full-Length Soldier Photos

[world war I nerd]

Based on the location, the gear strewn around the pup-tent, and the abbreviated Illinois stencil on the canteen, I'm guessing that this is a National Guardsman down on the Mexican border in 1916.

[world war I nerd]

I'm really happy about this image. I finally found a decent photo of an AEF veteran wearing a British 1902 pattern Service jacket.

 

Loads of these were purchased by the AEF and issued to Doughboys Over There, but they rarely show up in period photographs.

 

This one is complete with rank insignia, service chevrons and regulation bronze eagle buttons. It's a shame that no collar discs are visible.

 

A closer view of the regulation eagle buttons sewn onto the British service jacket.

[everforward]

A closer view of the regulation eagle buttons sewn onto the British service jacket.

Were they gilt, or is the blackening just worn off....?

[world war I nerd]

I think the buttons were used and much of the bronze finish has been worn off of them.

[SA1794]

My grandfather Arthur Garlick (seated) with two fellow soldiers while serving in the Philippines (circa 1900)

[atb]

Another shot of the 1902 Dress Uniform probably taken around 1904 or so. This time the blues are worn by a member of the 88th Artillery Regiment.

Numbers below the crossed cannon indicate a Field Artillery Battery or a Coast Artillery Company from 1901 until the Field Artillery units went back to a regimental organization. The Coast Artillery retained separate companies (except for the regiments organized for WW1 overseas service) until after WW1.

 

With the high number of "88," the soldier is more likely a member of the 88th Coast Artillery Company from before 1916. That's when the companies were renumbered within each Coast Defense Command.

[mconrad]

Another shot of the 1902 Dress Uniform probably taken around 1904 or so. This time the blues are worn by a member of the 88th Artillery Regiment.

 

My rule of thumb for CAC is that later rather than sooner for M1902 dress uniforms. The CAC was last in line for 1902 dress uniform coats and I have seen many CAC photos with the M1902 hat but pre-1902 dress coats. So instead of "around 1904 or so", I would haphazardly say "around 1910 or so."

[agate hunter]

 

My rule of thumb for CAC is that later rather than sooner for M1902 dress uniforms. The CAC was last in line for 1902 dress uniform coats and I have seen many CAC photos with the M1902 hat but pre-1902 dress coats. So instead of "around 1904 or so", I would haphazardly say "around 1910 or so."

This soldier appears to be wearing the 1885 dress coat, which CAC men were among the last to wear until around 1906 plus or minus a couple years, prior to receiving the new 1902 dress blues. Also this soldier wears the new 1902 dress blue cap.

[USARV72]

First is my Grandfather with friend about 1907. He was signal corps, assigned to Alaska, interesting stories.

Second is his brother with soon to be wife in France about 1921, he was in North Russia, she a Nurse. He had all his stuff including 1911, Original Painted helmet, uniform and picked up items. Son was a drunk, pawned or sold all .

[USARV72]

First is my Great Aunts boyfriend in 1918 at Camp Gordon, Ga. She never married.

Second is unkown, nice early 20th Century.

[world war I nerd]

atb & mconrad, thanks for refreshing my memory regarding the number placement on CAC & FA collar discs … for some reason, I can still never get that straight!

 

agate hunter, the same goes for your correction in respect to the 1885 and 1902 Dress Coats. I never really studied the early dress uniforms so getting the correct ID on them is still a little bit hazy for me … Thanks for making the correction.

 

And finally, thanks for the great additions USARV72. There are some great shots there.

 

Now I'll add a few more of my photos ...

 

Not sure if these guys are Army or National Guard. They appear to be wearing 1904 Leggings, 1902 or 1904 Campaign Hats, 1903 Service Breeches and blue shirts left over from the Spanish American War.

 

 

[world war I nerd]

Willee Britton, 2nd Army Doughboy.

[world war I nerd]

Francis Carroll, 26th Division Doughboy.

[world war I nerd]

Joe G. Smith, Battery B, 132nd Field Artillery, 36th Division.

[world war I nerd]

Unnamed 90th Division Doughboy

[world war I nerd]

Machine guns of the 17th Infantry in camp at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio , Texas, probably around 1909-ish.

[world war I nerd]

This image shows the cramped quarters below decks on a homeward bound troop ship in 1919.

[world war I nerd]

Good shot of an early Connecticut National Guardsmen sometime between 1910 and 1914. The 1909 Mounted Cartridge Belt, 1909 Revolver Holster and 1906 Saber seems to indicate that he is equipped for mounted duty. I can't quite make out his collar disc though.

 

Closer view of the guardsman's head and shoulders … Anyone recognize the collar disc?

 

A closer look at the collar disc.

[world war I nerd]

Civilian truck drivers hired by the Army to ferry supplies down to the Punitive Expedition's forward operating base in Mexico in 1916. Note the mixture of civilian and military garb.

 

The Army had planned on using Mexico's railroads to move men, equipment and supplies south of the border, but the Mexican government said no way. General Pershing wanted to take over Mexico's northern railroads, but the War Department said no. Because of this, the Quartermaster Corps purchased dozens of heavy trucks to substitute for the off-limits Mexican railroad system. The Army, however, didn't have enough qualified motor truck drivers or mechanics, so civilian contractors were hired to fill the gap.

 

Slightly closer look at the contract truck drivers.

[world war I nerd]

Kitchen police detail circa 1918.

[world war I nerd]

Members of the Maine National Guard sometime between 1904 and 1907.

[world war I nerd]

National Guardsmen, "Bert Miller, Elmer Overlock & John Lampman" circa 1910-1916.

[world war I nerd]

Pre-WW I U.S. Army officers wearing overcoats. Note that both 1907 and 1911 Service Caps are being worn.

[world war I nerd]

Early 20th Century Army infantryman circa 1906-ish, wearing a dark blue shirt, olive drab trousers and khaki leggings.

[world war I nerd]

A cropped view showing just the guardsman.

 

This is either a Nebraska or Maine National Guardsman ( I cant' tell if the initials on the collar disc read "ME" or "NE") circa 1909.