Item: ON4511
Original U.S. WWI POW Coblenz Prison Trench Art with Scrapbook - 42nd Infantry Division
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Original item: Corporal William C. Reekie was a member of the 117th Field Signal Battalion in the 42nd Infantry Division and fought in World War One. At some point during the war he was captured and put into a Prisoner of War camp in Coblenz Germany. While in prison he elaborately carved his mess tin. On the top in the center it reads:
W.C. ReeKei
117 F.B.S.C.
42 Div
Around the circumference of the lid:
CHAMPAIGN - BACARRRAT - ST MICHEL - VERDUN - CHATEAU THIERRY
The bottom reads:
SEATTLE Wash.
U.S.A.
Wm C. ReeKie
Coblenz
RAINBOW
U.S.
Around the circumference of the base:
Engraved in COBLENZ Prison December 17, 1918 GERMANY
CARL LEFT - CELL 105 - 12/19/18 - MEMORIES - GOT OUT - CELL 105 - DECEMBER 20
The tin is also engraved with flags, iron crosses vines, stars, arrows, insignia, etc.. It is the most ornate and detailed trench art mess tin we have ever encountered.
Also included in this breathtaking set is a scrap book that begins on page one in the following manner:
Pictures and notes of my sad army life. I am through this time but if anything ever comes up again I will be with them.
Property of
Corporal WIlliam C. Reekie
117th Field Signal Battalion
42nd Division
Started April 13, 1919
The Famous Rainbow is all gone
The scrap book is full of notes, memories, dried flowers, insignia, tickets, news articles business cards, stamps, paper currency, correspondence, orders, photos, postcards and more. Almost everything is accompanied by a personal caption.
This is one of the most personal views into the life of a soldier during and after the Great War that we have ever encountered, truly one-of-a-kind.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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