Has anyone have, or seen a WW1 Air Service Chaplain Uniform? Are there any known rosters of Chaplains, specifically Air Service?

 

I just picked up a very nice matching Tunic and Pants with US Made "US"s & Winged Props, Bullion Christian Crosses and Felt/Wool 1st Army w/Roundel SSI. One matching (to Crosses) Bullion OS Chevron.

 

Thanks, Rich

 

http://www.wittworldwide.com/ReBayImages/W...inUniformxm.jpg

 

http://www.wittworldwide.com/ReBayImages/W...ainTunic1xm.jpg

 

http://www.wittworldwide.com/ReBayImages/W...ainPants1xm.jpg

Pilots needed them just before they took off. The uniform is right as rain. Dave

Sorry, I don't have a roster however, seeing that I have a strong focus on Chaplains items in my collection, I can say that this uniform looks legit and in beautiful condition! :thumbsup:

Hi Rich - long time no talk to. Glad you found your way to the forum so WELCOME! This is not my area but I have to say this is a first for me to see such a uniform... very cool!

 

Cheers

John

I like the crosses so far. Here is an example I had from the 82nd. The uniform had the embroidered cross a little higher than the rank. Same idea though

Concerning the rosters, do you have a name or initials?

Nice uniform.

Beautiful sight to see, thanks for showing it.

Concerning the rosters, do you have a name or initials?

Nice uniform.

 

On first glance it looked like the name Dolman was written in the white cotton neck liner. But this appears to be printed on further inspection, and part of the custon tailored accessory to the jacket. Otherwise, I can't find anything else marked on Jacket or Pants, as it is just an increadibly clean set.

 

I know approximately the area it came from, and hoped that there would be a very small number of Chaplains in the AS, with some stateside information in rosters, and fully understand it is a long shot to drill down to a potential ID....

 

This is not really my primary area of interest, as I am a Medals/Decorations and Insignia guy, but greatly enjoy doing the research, and exploring the history of each significant item I handle. I will rarely sell or trade anything until I have exhausted all reasonable research options.

 

Was interested in the approx. number of Chaplains in the AS, and the AEF as a whole?

 

I do appreciate the help and comments folks!

 

Regards, Rich

Was interested in the approx. number of Chaplains in the AS, and the AEF as a whole?

I do appreciate the help and comments folks!

Regards, Rich

Some numbers. The following is taken from Up from Handyman by Stover, pages 188-189.

 

Wherever American troops were stationed, and for whatever purpose, they were accompanied by chaplains. Compared to its pre-war strength, the size of the chaplaincy during the war was massive. On the day of the United States' entry into the Great War, 74 chaplains were in the Regular Army; they were soon joined by 72 National Guard chaplains who were called to active duty with their units. By Armistice Day, 2,217 other clergymen had been commissioned as chaplains in some component of the Army.' In spite of the ultimate wartime strength of the chaplaincy, ho~ver7er. there were numerous places where chaplains were in short supply. The Act of 25 May 1918, which authorized one chaplain for every 1,200 men, did not become law until 13 months after the declaration of war. At that time the number of chaplains increased at rapid rate, and about 150 joined Pershing's A.E.F. each month. On Armistice Day there were between 1,250 and 1,300 chaplains in France for more than 2,000,000 troops, but Bishop Charles H. Brent, whose appointment as "General Headquarters, A.E.F. Chaplain" Pershing had arranged in January 1918, said that the "very lowest computation" should have been 1,800. Brent as an old friend of Pershing who had baptized him and his family, confirmed the general and his wife into the Protestant Episcopal Church, and consoled him when Mrs. Pershing and three of their children died in a house fire.

Some numbers. The following is taken from Up from Handyman by Stover, pages 188-189.

 

Wherever American troops were stationed, and for whatever purpose, they were accompanied by chaplains. Compared to its pre-war strength, the size of the chaplaincy during the war was massive. On the day of the United States' entry into the Great War, 74 chaplains were in the Regular Army; they were soon joined by 72 National Guard chaplains who were called to active duty with their units. By Armistice Day, 2,217 other clergymen had been commissioned as chaplains in some component of the Army.' In spite of the ultimate wartime strength of the chaplaincy, ho~ver7er. there were numerous places where chaplains were in short supply. The Act of 25 May 1918, which authorized one chaplain for every 1,200 men, did not become law until 13 months after the declaration of war. At that time the number of chaplains increased at rapid rate, and about 150 joined Pershing's A.E.F. each month. On Armistice Day there were between 1,250 and 1,300 chaplains in France for more than 2,000,000 troops, but Bishop Charles H. Brent, whose appointment as "General Headquarters, A.E.F. Chaplain" Pershing had arranged in January 1918, said that the "very lowest computation" should have been 1,800. Brent as an old friend of Pershing who had baptized him and his family, confirmed the general and his wife into the Protestant Episcopal Church, and consoled him when Mrs. Pershing and three of their children died in a house fire.

 

 

I greatly appreciate the information. Regards, Rich

Reopening a 15 year-old post. 

Here is another Air Service Chaplain. This one is even a RMA.

 

I believe this photo came from Tom Fife, but I saved it so long ago I did not have it tagged properly. 

Very nice.  I have never seen this combination of insignia.  Thank you for sharing.

Rock Island Auction is currently offering a purported WW1 Air Service Chaplain's uniform in their upcoming auction:

 

 

Posted for educational purposes.  No endorsement or denigration should be implied or inferred.

 

Chris