CO. A 305th Labor Battalion ID'd Mess Kit - Colored Unit?

[mds308]

Found this at an outdoor market in Smithfield, Virginia.  The WWI mess kit is stamped SGT. FORREST BON (backwards D) S.  CO. A. 305 LABOR, BN. Q.M.C. U.S. 

The handle has the same stamping and this too has the backwards D.  I wonder if the stamper was confused with the letter D.  

I believe this was a colored unit.  Any thoughts?  Thanks.  

 

 

[everforward]

Good chance it is. I have a uniform of an officer that was in the 335th Labor Bn…..he was a white officer but the troops of the 335th were black.

[mds308]

I got some WWII and WWI items including a letter.  Everything came from Smithfield.  I believe this small group involves 4 soldiers.  Two from WWI and Two from WWII. 

They could all be of African lineage.  I was told these pieces came from the same estate.  Unfortunately, all four sir names are not the same.           

[hist3891]

WWI draft card.

[hist3891]

South Carolina service abstract.

[mds308]

Thanks hist3891.  Last night I found his grave site at findagrave.  They have his birth year at 1888.  All else matches up.  He's buried at Pine Pleasant Cemetery in Greenwood County, South Carolina.  Thanks again for your help.

[hist3891]

Glad I could help.  Could you let us know what date and manufacturer is stamped on the mess kit's handle?

[mds308]

The handle has taken a beating.  I can see U.S. and 1917.  The rest is on the forum.  Thanks.  

 

[hist3891]

That's cool.  It could actually be the kit that he was first issued and carried through the war.

[kwc271]

I have a officer uniform from a surgeon in the 334th service battalion