71st Artillery, C.A.C.

Colonel Frank S. Long

In response to the demand of the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for heavy mobile artillery, the General Staff prepared plans for the organization of a great many regiments which were to be equipped with guns of all calibers. Among these was the 71st Regiment, designated by War Department orders for service with 8-inch howitzers, motorized. On May 2, 1918, the Northeastern Department was notified to proceed with the organization of this Regiment from the personnel then on duty in the Coast Defenses of Boston. A list of officers was provided from the office of the Chief of Artillery and the Coast Defense Commander was directed to select the enlisted personnel from the Regular Army, National Guard and National Army men within those Coast Defenses. The Colonel of the Regiment, Frank S. Long, was designated to command and proceed with the organization, assisted by Major Simon F. Nolan and Captain R. C. Harrison. The Coast Defense Commander Colonel Maurice K. Barroll was induced to go forward with the tentative organization prior to the arrival of the order assigning the officers. PERSONNEL The personnel of this Regiment taken as a whole, was probably the best of any of the new regiments. The officers coming from the Artillery School, with the careful instruction given them there, were fully equipped, lacking only experience. Many were from the East but there was a large sprinkling from the West, and the combination was excellent. Sixty out of sixty-six officers were college graduates and nearly all had some previous military experience or good business training. A large majority of the officers were technically trained, presenting a fine field from which to select telephone, radio and mechanical experts. Only four orienteur officers were required for the Regiment and there were fifteen available for this duty. The telephone officers selected had spent years in the installation, construction and the maintenance of telephone systems. The mechanical officers were men thoroughly conversant with motors, gas engines and everything pertaining to motor traction. There were a great many athletes among these officers accustomed to handling men in college athletics, who became natural battery commanders and battery officers.

PREPARATION

There was the usual delay in organization, due to the fact that an effort was being made to continue the old methods of supply through requisitions, each one taking its proper position in the list regardless of whether troops were going overseas or were to remain in the United States. Sometimes this was very exasperating, and some of us felt that those in authority had not yet realized the fact that we were at war. The requisitions went in however, followed by personal requests of the Regimental Commander and the stationing of officers at supply depots.

As a result, the Regimental Commander was able to report the Regiment in readiness to sail on July 14, 1918. Montreal was designated as the port of embarkation and Hoboken the shipping point for equipment. This was later changed, and again the Regiment prepared to sail and was disappointed. On July 30, 1918, however, in a pouring rain, the Regiment, together with its complete equipment, was loaded on two British ships, the HMS Margha and the HMS Anselm at Pier 3, East Boston, Mass., Colonel Long with nine-hundred and ninety-two troops on the Margha and Major R. C. Harrison with ten hundred and fourteen troops on the Anselm.

ON THE WATER.

Both ships, forming part of a small convoy, sailed from Boston Harbor out past Fort Strong on the morning of July 31, 1918. The wives and sisters were grouped on the shore to wave us off, and the Jessup with a great crowd on board ran right in alongside, about 9:00 am. This was the final farewell for at 10:01 am we weighed anchor and started out. Thursday night we were off Halifax Harbor and Friday morning early passed in by the forts and the town and anchored in the inner harbor. Here we lay until Sunday. August 4, when we sailed as part of a field of seventeen transports, at 11:30 am under convoy of HMS Roxburgh.

We had an exceedingly pleasant trip, with but few noteworthy incidents. Officer's schools were held regularly on both ships, and calisthenics drills and calls to boat stations kept the men busy. The Regiment was highly complimented on both transports by their respective captains for its excellent discipline and the cleanliness of quarters and decks.

Early in the morning of August 13 we picked up our destroyer escort consisting of the USS Terry DD-25 and the USS Jenkins DD-42. Our men greeted the American ones flying the American flag and manned by our own bluejackets with prolonged cheers. On Thursday August 15, we sailed into Liverpool, with flags flying and the band playing on the deck for the first time since leaving Halifax.

ENGLAND.

Both sections of the Regiment debarked from their respective transports in the afternoon and marched independently to the American rest camp at Knotty Ash, where for the first time the Regiment was united. While at Knotty Ash Camp, every officer and enlisted man was presented with a letter of welcome from King George.

On August 16 the Regiment departed in three sections on three trains for the Romsey rest camp, in Romsey, England. The first train, No. 90, left Knotty Ash at 12:55 pm under command of Colonel Long. The second train, No, 1, left from Stanton, at 1:30 pm under command of Major Pendleton, and the third from Stanton, at 2:05 pm under command of Major Harrison. After an all day journey through the beautiful English midlands, and a short march from the station the Regiment arrived at Romsey in three sections late at night.

The men in bathing and in a general cleanup spent Saturday, August 17, after their long journey. On Sunday, August 18, the officers and men of the Regiment were the guests of Colonel and Mrs. Ashley at "Broadlands" the old estate of Lord Palmerston. Monday morning was spent in drill and in the afternoon a ball game was played between the Battery E team and one made up from the rest of the Regiment. Battery E won, 6 to 2. In the evening Colonel Long and Captains Elder, Nightingale and Blodget were guests of Colonel and Mrs. Ashley at dinner.

On August 20 the Regiment moved to Camp Standon, England, where we were in quarantine on account of a few cases of suspected typhoid fever. The march was about six miles and the men arrived in good condition. At Standon Batteries C and D, Medical Detachment and Headquarters Company were camped on one hillside and the rest of the Regiment about one-quarter of a mile off on another hill with the officers in tents below the first camp. Standon was a very dirty and poorly managed camp.

On Saturday evening the band played at the Vicarage in Hursley to the joy of innumerable children of the village. Owing to the quarantine there was little leave for the men, but as far as was possible groups were taken to Winchester to see the sights of the town and a limited number of men were granted passes during the last day or two. On August 29 the Regiment marched to the American rest camp at Southampton where we embarked on the old SS Harvard

FRANCE.

We arrived at Le Havre early the next morning after an uneventful voyage. We disembarked at 7:00 am and at 7:50 started our march to the rest camp, which was above the city some nine kilometers from the dock. We were greeted enthusiastically by the French populace and just before we reached our camp were met by a delegation of citizens who presented the Regiment with a bouquet of flowers and a letter of welcome. This day was spent in cleaning up, but we were destined to get very little rest, for in the afternoon orders came for us to move the next day in two sections. On August 31 Batteries E and F left camp and proceeded to the railroad station, where they entrained. The remainder of the Regiment marched to the station in the afternoon where we had our first experience with French railroad accommodations. The men were packed in thirty-five to a car,"40 Hommes, 8 Chevaux." The officers had an old first-class six-wheel carriage in which they were packed seven to a compartment. It was an interesting, if not comfortable, trip and it was a long one.

We went via L'Agile where we had a chance to wash and get some coffee at 6:00 pm, from there to Alencon and Le Mans and then to St. Sylvan, where we arrived at 3:30 pm and detrained. The Regiment was met by a number of officers and an ammunition train, which moved our baggage into the little town where we were to be billeted, the men marching in with their packs. The Regiment was distributed in billets as follows:

These little towns lie within a radius of three or four kilometers of each other and about seven or eight kilometers from the city of Angers, winch is the principal town or city in the department of Maine et Loire, and the center of the heavy artillery training district known as Operations and Training Center No.4.

The first few days were spent in resting, getting the Regiment settled, cleaning the billets, and in making ourselves as comfortable as circumstances permitted.

In the several towns the officers were assigned to billets, which usually consisted of a completely furnished room, and the men were stowed away in rather overcrowded quarters, in many cases old bowling alleys, where at first they were forced to sleep on the ground, which was none too dry. Little by little, as we were enabled to get additional billets, conditions in this respect were improved.

At Angers we found the Headquarters of the 34th Artillery Brigade (C. A. C.) to which we were assigned by General Order No. 133, G. H. Q., A. E. F., 1918. The other two regiments in the brigade were the 64th and 70th (C. A. C.), which were already in the vicinity of Angers and had started their training some little time before us.

Schoolwork was started at the O & T, Center No. 4. While this work was in progress, eight-inch howitzers were given to the Regiment for instruction purposes, and French instructors, who had at least two years experience serving this class of guns in position warfare, were detailed to instruct the enlisted personnel, particularly gun commanders and gun pointers.

One of the 8-inch Howitzers of the 71st Artillery Here is a Receipt for two 8-inch American Howitzers and 2 limbers to the 1st Battalion, signed by H. E. E., who I believe was Major Herbert E. Ellis Commander of the 1st Battalion, 71st artillery. This receipt shows that the 1st Battalion received these two American assembled 8-inch Howitzers on 23 September 1918. The 71st was to be equipped with the British made 8-inch howitzers and this document shows that they may have also used the 8-inch howitzers that were made by the Midvale Steel Company in the United States from the British blueprints. There is also another name on the receipt which is Burkey, Fred R. who may have been the person who delivered these two guns to the 71st Artillery. This receipt also shows that on 23 September the 1st Battalion was stationed APO 733 (Army Post Office) which I believe to be at Angers, France.

One of the Holt Tractors used to pull the guns with.

While waiting the return from school of the men taking the course in tractor driving, drivers were loaned us from the other regiments of the brigade. Simple maneuver problems were carried on, first by batteries and then by battalions in connection with the drill periods during the entire month of September. In October more extensive maneuvers were attempted by battalions and beginning with November regular maneuver problems, some originating in the Regiment and some furnished by the Commanding Officer, O & T Center No. 4, were executed daily.

With the experience gained by the Field Officers at the front, these problems became the final instruction of the Regiment for service. No details, however small, were omitted and on November 11 when the armistice was signed, this Regiment lacked only its target practice to be completely instructed. On November 20 the Regiment was to have arrived at Montmorillon, France, for its service practice at the firing range.

The signing of the armistice did not check the instruction, which was carried forward most faithfully until orders were received about November 20 to turn in the equipment and prepare to return to the United States. Fulfillment of this order was completed in a few days and the Regiment ceased, for all practical purposes, to be an artillery organization. Daily infantry drill, calisthenics and school instructions were carried on. Close attention was given to the matter of disposing of all surplus property and to fully equipping all men with the minimum mobile allowance of clothing.

On 4 December 1918 Orders were received from Headquarters, 34th Artillery Brigade that only the reserve officers of the regiment were to return to the States with the 71st Artillery. This meant that 16 of the officers of the 71st would be transfered to the Artillery Replacement Regiment at Le Courneau (Gironde) for new duties. This was I believe the 54th Artillery Regiment which served as the Artillery Replacement Regiment.

Here is the document that transfered out the 16 regular officers to the Replacement Regiment. The order is given by command of Brigadier General Ketcham and carried out by Major,William D. Cottam, CAC, Adjutant. This copy has the offical AEF Seal and 6 other stamps by various departments on it. This copy was from the personal effects of Captain Ralph Beatley, CAC of the 71st Artillery. It has a notation on it in Beatley's handwriting: "Left Angers Dec. 5, 1918. Reported to Le Courneau 6 P.M. Dec 8, 1918". This copy was found at West Point in the summer of 2003 by Major Brian J. Lunday, Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematical Sciences United States Military Academy, West Point. Major Lunday found this and several other documents of Captain Beatley's in an attic room at West Point. Captain Beatley himself was a Professor of Mathematics at West Point after the war. The 16 officers were: Major Ralph C. Harrison, Major Herbert E. Ellis, Capt. Hugh N. Mavor, Capt. Harrison G. Overend, Capt. Ralph Beatley, 1st Lt. James C. Corliss, 1st Lt. Thomas J. Delaney, 1st Lt. Wilton L. Dodge, 1st Lt. Eugene R. Guild, 1st Lt. Arthur Duffy, 1st Lt. Chester E. Ames, 1st Lt. Kenyon P. Flagg, 1st Lt. Charles M. Black, 1st Lt. Waldo H. Rice, 1st Lt. Claud T. Gunn, 1st Lt. Winslow B. VanDevanter. All were Coast Artillery Corps officers of the Regular Army.

On December 23, 1918, orders were received from the Brigade Commander to spend at least one-half of each day except Sunday, in schoolwork. An examination was immediately held of all enlisted men of the Regiment in which many of the questions included those, which could be answered by grammar school boys, and others included those usually permitted the separating of the Regiment into classes and instruction by officers and competent enlisted men was started. Great interest was aroused, and with the offer of some slight privilege for men who showed good progress, the interest was maintained up to the time the Regiment was ordered to a base port.

On 15 January 1919 an officer of the Inspector Generals Department inspected the Regiment. He reported it equipped and ready for transfer to a base port. On February 5 telegraphic orders were received to prepare to move the next day for St. Nazaire.

Prior to leaving every effort was made to adjust all claims submitted by the French people for damage to property and settlements of personal accounts. At 5 o'clock on February 6 the Regiment entrained, departing from La Plessis Grammoire railroad station and arrived at St. Nazaire early in the morning of the seventh. A board of three officers was left behind for twenty-four hours to check any claims that might be presented at the last moment. On the completion of this work they rejoined us at the port of embarkation. On arrival at St. Nazaire the Regiment was marched to the isolation camp for temporary station. Colonel Parsons, the Commanding Officer of the camp, had an excellent system whereby men were able to get comfortable quarters and meals at regular times.

The next day the delousing process was started and in two days time a careful physical examination of every man had been completed, each one having been given a hot shower bath and clean underclothes. All soiled clothing was salvaged and new or serviceable clothing substituted.

The system pursued at this base port was a model one. As a result the Regiment was ready for embarkation on February 10, and on the morning of the eleventh broke camp and marched to the U.S. Transport Manchuria. About 2:00 am of the twelfth the Manchuria sailed for the United States. In addition to the 71st Artillery Regiment, the 70th Artillery, C.A.C., and about 1,000 wounded men made up the passenger list.

HOME.

The trip was a very quiet one, with excellent weather throughout. A good mess was served and clean, comfortable quarters were provided for all. A few days out several mild cases of influenza appeared, and at once the medical officers, assisted by large details from the line, prepared gauze masks for each person on the ship and placed in isolation all persons who were suspected of being infected with the disease.

Below decks applications of creosol mixture were applied on all floors and officers lectured the men on the necessity of caring for their health, warning them not to spit or in any way contaminate any part of the ship. It is believed that this prompt action proved a successful combat against the dreaded disease. In spite of all precautions, however, there were four deaths among the enlisted personnel, including one from this Regiment.

The ship was docked at Hoboken about 12:25 pm, February 22, 1919. Immediately the debarkation officials proceeded with the movement of troops from the ship to the railroad, and with the exception of a large detail, which remained behind to police the ship, the Regiment moved out by train to Camp Merritt, New Jersey arriving there about 8:00 pm.

After the necessary medical inspections and delousing process, the officers and enlisted personnel were divided into detachments and sent to join those under orders to proceed to the same camp. The Regulars were sent to the Southern Defenses of New York, with the exception of first sergeants and supply sergeants.

About 2:00 pm on March 1, 1919, the Regiment, now reduced to twenty-seven officers and five hundred and fifty-nine men, marched to Dumont, New Jersey, and entrained for Camp Devens, Mass. The train was routed by way of the West Shore, New York Central and the Boston and Maine. The Regiment detrained at Camp Devens at 6:00 am, on the second. From then until March 6, 1919, the time was spent in preparing the necessary forms for demobilization and the holding of medical inspections.

The officers were removed to the Casual Officers Detachment with the exception of Headquarters and Staff and the Regiment ceased as an organization on March 6, 1919. Some of the men remained temporarily in the service as casuals, and the commanding officer of the Regiment, Colonel Frank S. Long, was placed on a leave status awaiting assignment to a new station in his Corps.

From a purely military standpoint all regretted the demobilization of this Regiment. It had been carefully instructed, had potential value, excellent discipline and the spirit that usually conies only after arduous military service in the presence of the enemy.

Loyalty was the one predominating characteristic in this Regiment. Both among the officers and enlisted men, in intelligence, ability and education there probably has never been its equal. Its standard of efficiency, which began at Boston Harbor, followed it across the seas, through England and France, and every member of the organization was exceedingly proud and jealous of this excellent reputation.

It was not a one-man Regiment nor an organization sustained by a few individuals, but was developed as the result of the united effort of every member of the Regiment. There were no scandals, and it was not necessary to make explanations of misconduct on the part of the personnel. The pride that each man had in his organization was like the pride that the American citizen feels for his own home and people. Only one serious misfortune was experienced and that was that the Regiment was mustered out without firing at least a few thousand rounds at the Boche.

To the Good Old “71st”

Of course you’ve seen the two cards, On the Colonel’s big machine, And, like many more, you’ve wondered, Just what these cards could mean. It’s a cinch they stand for something; Placed there in open sight, If you didn’t read their message, It’s up to me to put you right. The numbers, you remember, Were a “Seven” and an “Ace” Each one of them a Diamond, Each in its proper place. The Ace means that we stand ace-high, At home and o’er the sea; In other words “A number one” Which is just as it should be. There are seven things the Colonel wants, In the outfit he commands, First, “Loyalty” from every man That in the outfit stands. The second is “Obedience” From officer and buck, If you can’t show that virtue You’re strictly out of luck. The third point is “Ambition,” In good soldiers it stands out; He can tell it in a soldier By the way he goes about. “Neatness”--- There’s another thing For which the Colonel’s strong, The slack untidy soldier Sure as hell will get in wrong.

“Moral courage” has its Diamond, too; And in a foreign land, The man that’s strong on this point Generally has lots of sand. “Love of Country”, “Love of Home” He demands of every man, He can read it in your bearing, If you he’d chance to scan. For the man that hasn’t got it, Cannot look him in the eye, When it comes to an inspection, Why he simply can’t get by. The Colonel doesn’t want men like that, As soldiers they’re no hit, You’ve got to have the seven points, If Ace-High you wish to fit. So now you know the meaning, Of the two cards in the rear; Just try to keep them always, In your memory bright and clear. If you can’t be the best soldier, At least don’t be the worst; And always give the best you’ve got, To the good old “Seventy-First.” Edward J. Carey, Sergeant Battery D, 71st Artillery, C.A.C.

7 of Diamonds and Ace of Diamonds

This is a hand painted non-standard insignia US Army helmet attributed to the 71st Artillery. It is owned by Anderson Militaria and they were kind enough to share these photos with me. Inside on the webbing was found a name. It was a last name only and it was "Montgomery". It is not known which of the 3 men that it belonged to but one thing is for sure, which ever one it was he had some talent with a brush and paint. I have a complete roster of the officers and men of the 71st Artillery. If you may have a relative that was in the 71st or any of the Artillery regiments on my web site please contact me as I may have his name on a roster list.

There are 3 Montgomery's in the 71st Artillery. They are: 1) Montgomery, Paul W. Rank: Wagoner Occupation: Farmer Address: RFD Mead, Colorado. He was with Battery A 2) Montgomery, Levi A. Rank: Pvt. 1cl Occupation: Cow Puncher Address: Boise, Idaho. He was with Battery B 3) Montgomery, David Rank: Private Occupation: Salesman Address: 505 Lansing St.., Utica, NY. He was with Battery C

The Regimental emblem of the 71st Artillery, C.A.C.

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On the left is a photo of Pvt. George P. Frandsen in uniform. You can see one overseas stripe on his lower left sleeve and the shoulder patch is of the 1st Army Artillery which the 71st Artillery was part of. Above is one of his dog tags.

Sgt. Aaron S. Thurston, (576716) HQ Co.

Aaron S. Thurston prior to WWI

Aaron Stephen Thurston was born 28 October 1894 in Mechanic Falls, Androscoggin, Maine. On the 12th of June 1900 5 year-old Aaron lived with his maternal grandmother (Arvilla Ham Thurston) and step-grandfather (George Prince) in Androscoggin, Maine. Aaron was the eldest son of John Phinney Thurston (1868-1958) and Gertrude Chase (1879-1948). Aaron was named after his paternal grandfather Aaron Sanderson Thurston (1828-1898) who was himself an artilleryman – a veteran of the 1st Battalion, Maine Light Artillery in the Civil War. On April 4th 1913 Aaron Thurston at the age of 17 entered the US Army. He enlisted at Ft. Slocum, New York in the Coast Artillery Corps and was with the 2nd Company, C.A.C., Ft. Banks, MA from enlistment until moved to the 5th Co., C.A.C. Ft. Andrews, MA on July 29th 1917. He was with the 5th Co. until formed into Headquarters Company, 71st Artillery, C.A.C. on May 14th 1918. Upon entering the Coast Artillery in 1913 Thurston was seen as a leader of men and on September 10th 1915 was advanced to Corporal and again on August 23rd 1917 was again advanced to Sergeant while with the 5th Company at Ft. Andrews. During 1917 Sgt. Thurston married Isabelle Brown. Sgt. Thurston sailed with the entire 71st Artillery on two British ships, the HMS Margha and the HMS Anselm at Pier 3, East Boston, MA on July 31st 1918. Sgt. Thurston returned with the 71st Artillery on the U.S. Transport Manchuria as they sailed from France on the 12th of February 1919. The ship was docked at Hoboken, NJ about 12:25 pm, February 22, 1919 and the Regulars were sent to the Southern Defenses of New York, with the exception of first sergeants and supply sergeants. The remaining men in the regiment were sent to Camp Devens, MA and demobilized. Sgt. Thurston being a Regular Coast Artilleryman was then sent back to the Railway Artillery Reserve for duty with that group until he was discharged from the Army on April 3rd, 1920. On the 2nd of January 1920 when the Census was taken on Parsons Street in Brighton, MA, Aaron and Isabelle lived in a rented home at 189 Parsons Street. Aaron worked as an electrician for a heating supply company. Also living in the same house was Isabelle’s sister and brother-in-law William and Emily Murphy, Isabelle’s brothers James and Cornelius Brown and another sister Catherine Brown.

At an unknown date Isabelle and Aaron’s marriage ended and later in life Aaron married Helen Elizabeth Murphy on June 9th 1951 in Auburn, Androscoggin, Maine. Helen died on August 21st 1967.

Thomas Frank the grandnephew of Aaron Thurston remembers this about Aaron.

“My father Hal Thurston Frank and his brother Royal Thurston Frank both shared an apartment with "Uncle Aaron" in Boston for many years after Aaron’s second wife Helen died. I remember Aaron as a kind and generous man with thin silver hair. He would often give me a silver dollar on weekends when I would visit my father. I have been told that Aaron convinced his mother to name my grandmother Geneva Vanessa (after two former girlfriends). I’m not sure if his mother knew where Aaron got the names. During the First World War Aaron served in the 71st Artillery, Coast Artillery Corps. He actually enlisted in 1913 and served until 1919 when he was honorably discharged as a sergeant. He went to France with the AEF but saw no action there. He worked as an electrician in Boston. One story I was told was that during the Second World War, he and his wife stopped into a bar for a drink. They engaged a sailor in the bar in conversation. The barman mistook them for a couple of hucksters who were known locally to con sailors out of their money and threw them out saying, "I know you two. I've seen you operating around here before." Well Aaron was incensed and humiliated, and to exact revenge, went around to the back of the bar and, using his electrician's skills, cut off the barman's power. He then made the mistake of going back to the front of the bar to gloat a little whereupon the barman clocked him and put “his” lights out!”

Aaron Thurston died of cancer on 18 May 1973 at the VA Hospital in Boston and was buried in Forest Hills Cemetery, Jamaica Plain, Suffolk, Massachusetts.”

Cpl. Richard S. Gummere, 443021, Battery C

Richard S. Gummere was born sometime in March of 1897 in Pataskala, Ohio. On May 2, 1918 Richard enlisted into the U.S. Army at the Columbus Barracks, Columbus, Ohio, He was given his service number of 443021 and sent to the 20th Company, Coast Artillery Corps in Boston, MA. There he was stationed at Ft. Andrews with the 20th Company until April 12, 1918 when his Company was formed into Battery C of the 71st Artillery, C.A.C.

On July 3, 1918 Private Gummere was advanced in rank to Corporal. Twenty-eight days later on July 31st Cpl. Gummere and the rest of the 71st Artillery sailed for France. Cpl. Gummere was with the 71st Artillery throughout the war and returned to the stated on February 12, 1919 and was honorably discharged on March 8, 1919.

In April of 1930 Richard Gummere was living in a boarding house located on Church Street in Hartford, Connecticut. Richard worked at the time as an insurance salesman. Mr. Gummere did marry and at the end of his life was living in Springfield, Ohio. On December 7, 1963 at the Mercy Medical Center in Springfield Richard Gummere at the age of 66 years passed away.

PFC Stanley Klimaitis, Battery C

Stanley Klimaitis was in Battery C of the 71st Artillery, C.A.C. and served overseas with the regiment during WWI. Before the war his home was located at 83 Watkins Terrace, Rochester, New York and his occupation was that of a trunk maker. Stanley was born on May 18, 1887 and passed away in August of 1962 in the State of New York.

Stanley is Lithuanian by birth and immigrated to the United States in 1906. In 1920 after he came back from France he was living as a boarder at the same address he lived at before the war on Watkins Terrace in Rochester. He was single at the time and was still working the same job he had before going to France, that of a trunk maker. Nothing more of Stanley is known until his death in August of 1962.

Matt Leonard has been a collector of military artifacts for about 24 years (started when he was in 5th grade!) Matt tells about how he came across this hat... "As my collecting went on, I became more interested in the German artifacts but I did collect artifacts from all wars and all sides." Matt continues the story...

"One weekend while out antiquing, I stopped into a local shop in Norfolk, MA, scoured around and found this hat.  It had a 7$ price tag on it, cheap as chips... so, knowing it was worth more and because I liked it... I bought it.  I’ve held onto it for some 15+ years.  The other day I took it out of safe keeping to do some inventory and decided I’d try to find out what the writing meant.  I’m glad I did!"