Please Can You Help!
Do you recognise a location, name or person? The following submissions have been made with little or no information and we are looking for any help on identifying these people. If you think you may know something about one of these pictures, please get in touch with us via the contact form in the sidebar.
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1. A German Postcard
This postcard is from a German soldier writing back to his family in Stuttgart. The soldier states that he is writing on the 28th October 1914 still in the same position as 4 days ago and the noise of shooting and fighting is all around. His name is either Norbert or Robert Giessenhoffer. We have attempted to translate the postcard and below is the transcribed text:
The front of the postcard reads:
Feldpostkarte = Field Dispatch 28/10/14
Mr and Mrs Giessenheimer
Stuttgart
??...str 137
‘Heir...und... then something like ‘something very welcome’, I wish you, he wants and currently. And Gruesse Norbert (Greetings Norbert)’
The back of the postcard reads:
Bei Beselare 28 October 2014
‘Liebe Eltern,
Wir liegen noch immer wie vor 4 Tagen in derselben Stellung ung haben ein fuerchterliches Flakgetoese um uns herum. ich bin zur Zeit Fuehrer von 2 Munitonsversorgern und … folgen immber bei den …,… 3 km Dichte heute in einem grossen Bauernhof. Eure Grusse und Karten vom 12, 14 und 16 habe ich bekommen und danke Euch herzlich. Hoffentlich… die Wasch… und. Ich habe sie bessern Tag bringen.’
(English translation)
Near Beselare 28 October 2014
‘Dear parents,
We are currently still in the same position as 4 days ago and have terrible shell noise all around us. I am currently leading 2 soldiers providing ammunition and … follow always with the … 3 kilometers density today in a big farm. I have received your greeting and cards from 12, 14 and 16th October and am thanking you very much. Hopefully… the wash… and I have them… bringing a better day.’
From this we can see that the soldier regiment is: Battallion: XIII (Royal Wurttembery) Army Corps in Stuttgart. The Stamp shows it was sent from the armee post office of the Division 27 reserves. We have no more information on the soldier or his family.
Courtesy of John Bailey
2. East Kent Regiment
If you have any information please contact us on the link to the side of the page.
Courtesy of Great War Memorial Archive: ww1photos.org
3. Unnamed Sergeant – Kent Regiment
If you have any information please contact us on the link to the side of the page.
Courtesy of Great War Memorial Archive: ww1photos.org
4. The Buffs East Kent Regiment and Labour Corps
If you have any information please contact us on the link to the side of the page.
Courtesy of Great War Memorial Archive: ww1photos.org
5. The Parrott Family
Linda Richardson has submitted some pictures and a rare letter from the trenches by her Grandfather ‘Charles Henry Parrott’. The photo below shows a picture of the Parrott family which was taken around the same time as the writing of the letter: November 3rd 1916.
The following images show the Certificates both Bertie and Herbert received. The first is addressed to Bertie Parrott, presented on Empire Day 1916.
The second is addressed to Herbert Parrott which acknowledges his help in the Christmas Day Gifts project which saw gifts delivered to Sailors and Soldiers away from home. The third is also addressed to Herbert for Empire Day 1915 again for the help in sending comfort and happiness to the Sailors and Soldiers fighting in WW1.
Also included here, is a letter which was written from the trenches by Linda’s Grandfather and Bertie and Herbert’s Father. The letter gives us insight into what life was like for Soldiers fighting in the Somme.
Linda is looking for any information regarding what regiment Charles Henry Parrot was in.
All information and pictures are courtesy of Linda Richardson
6. Joseph Judd
‘I have been trying to find my grandfather's Army regiment; however, I have been told that a lot of records were lost. Joseph Judd (my grandfather) was born in 1889 so when joining up for WW1, he had to lie and say he was younger I believe.
During WW1, he was badly injured losing a leg and obtaining other injuries and was eventually sent to the convalescent home in Folkestone ‘St Andrews Home’(for more information on St Andrews Home, click here). He went on to marry my grandmother in 1926 after he left the St Andrews Home.
I have found a card of Folkestone and letter from the St Andrews home from someone who was also a resident there. Wishing him well on his wedding and having to decline his invitation as he was not well enough to go. Unfortunately I cannot read his name.
My grandparents lived in London and went to Essex to start a business called the Fobbing Tea rooms. Which they were still running during the Second World War, Joseph even tried to join up in WW2 without his leg. Of course he was sent packing. Many service people used the Fobbing Tea Rooms during WW2, someone might even remember him. Annie was a very good cook and spent WW2 feeding the boys and girls as she used to say.
Joseph died in 1952 in Essex.
If there are any records of the residents at St Andrews I would love to get in touch with whoever has them. I would love to know what regiment he was in, I can email the card and letter to anyone who thinks they might be able to help with any information’
Courtesy of Sally Burke
7. Siege Artillery School Lydd camp 1915
Simon Coxhill is looking for any more information on his great grandfather.
This photo is taken from a family album and reads:
‘Just a gentle reminder H. Coxhill Lydd Camp Kent 21.8.15’
Courtesy of Simon Coxhill
8. A series of censored postcards from Sgt Burchett to Mrs Wood
This postcard is part of a series of correspondence (see also 145RAM below.) In this card, Sgt Burchett is expressing his frustration that he is still waiting to come home. The card was sent 4th March 1919
The transcribed text reads:
"Dear Sadie, Just a line hoping you are keeping quite well and fit. No word of getting away yet, but will do someday I suppose. Hope johnnee is well and going along A.I. Yours Best Sergt. R Burchett"
‘Mrs J Wood, 56 Margate Road, Ramsgate, Kent’
This second card is also from Sgt Burchett who was still away, a reminder that the soldiers were still stationed abroad after the Armistice on 11th November 1918. We believe that Sgt Burchell was part of the Army of Occupation in Germany. This card was sent 9th May 1919
The transcribed text reads:
"yours received will be writing later. Hope all are well and how is John is he demobbed yet. yours Bob. R.E Burchett. Sgt."
‘Mrs J Wood, 56 Margate Road, Ramsgate, Kent’
Courtesy of D Price