{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwi-1st-division-medic-s-engraved-m1910-mess-kit-with-travel-diary-and-exact-date-time-of-wound-at-cantigny-featured-in-the-book-trench-art-an-illustrated-history-by-jane-kimball-on-page-225","title":"Original U.S. WWI 1st Division Medic’s Engraved M1910 Mess Kit with Travel Diary and Exact Date \u0026 Time of Wound at Cantigny - Featured in The Book “Trench Art, An Illustrated History” by Jane Kimball on Page 225","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a really phenomenal 1st Division engraved mess kit to Frederick J. Barker, Serial Number 2552 (Extremely Low), Ambulance Company 12, 1st Sanitary Train, 1st Division. Barker was one of the first soldiers overseas, embarking on August 13th, 1917. While overseas he was wounded at Cantigny on June 9th, 1918 at 4:00am, as is engraved on the side of his mess kit. What an interesting bit of specificity!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exact mess kit was also featured in The Book “Trench Art, An Illustrated History” by Jane Kimball on Page 225.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mess kit is dated 1917 by Landry, Fray, \u0026amp; Clark (L.F. \u0026amp; C.), so Barker certainly carried this throughout his time in service. The front of the lid is engraved \u003cstrong\u003eF. J. Barker Amb. Co. 12 1st Div. 2552 A.E.F. World’s War 1914-1918\u003c\/strong\u003e with the names of the countries \u003cstrong\u003eAmerica France England Belgium Italy\u003c\/strong\u003e engraved in the corners. The reverse of the lid is engraved with a large Red Cross with \u003cstrong\u003eAmerican Red Cross \/ Field Service\u003c\/strong\u003e engraved above and below it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bowl of the mess kit is engraved around its circumference: \u003cstrong\u003eCAMP MERRITT 4-19-19 CAMP UPTON 4-27-19 WOUNDED AT CANTIGNY 6-9-18 - 4AM.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bottom of the bowl is engraved \u003cstrong\u003eFred J. Barker Amb. Co. 12 1st Div Landed in France 6-29-17 Left France 4-9-19 Arrived in U.S.A. 4-19-19.\u003c\/strong\u003e One of these lines is incorrect, as according to his transport log, he arrived on August 13th, 1917, but he may have been referring to when the first elements of his division arrived in France, as 1st Division soldiers were very proud of this distinction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is really one of the best engraved mess kits we have offered, and the wear on the inside of the bowl truly shows how often he had to use this. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42175304106053,"sku":"ONSV23WHS271","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV23WHS271__01.jpg?v=1737778062","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwi-1st-division-medic-s-engraved-m1910-mess-kit-with-travel-diary-and-exact-date-time-of-wound-at-cantigny-featured-in-the-book-trench-art-an-illustrated-history-by-jane-kimball-on-page-225","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}