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Ancestors in Uniform.

Discussion in 'Free Fire Zone' started by Hilts, Feb 2, 2011.

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  1. Hilts

    Hilts Member

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    Bobby (A-58) gave me the idea for the thread, he suggest posting pictures and a small piece about our ancestors that had fought in previous wars, so here goes,

    My Grandfather Joe Marks, born 1899, enlisted Dec 1914, Middlesex Regiment, then transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. Fought at Loos, The Somme but mostly Ypres.

    Lovely man, real Londoner, loved watching boxing and a pint! Worked for the Yanks as a civvy during WW2 on the 8AAF base at Ridgewell, Essex.

    20558

    I still miss him!
     

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    Hilts, Feb 2, 2011
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  2. dazzerjeep

    dazzerjeep Member

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    Hilts this should turn out into a great thread, I'm starting to did some photo's up now
     
    dazzerjeep, Feb 2, 2011
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  3. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    View attachment 12574

    Here are two more of my father. He was a Staff Sergeant. He originally served in the Coast Artillery in North Africa. His unit was disbanded and he spent some time in AA/AWB. That unit was later disbanded and he was trained as Infantry. He went into Salerno with the CA and served from 1942 to 1945, staying the whole time in the Italian campaign. He had 4 battle stars on his EAME ribbon, earned a CIB and a Bronze Star. He died in 1990 at the age of 73.
     

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    LRusso216, Feb 2, 2011
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  4. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    Great pic and I would hate to have met him in a back Alley for a fist fight ;-))
     
    C.Evans, Feb 2, 2011
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  5. C.Evans

    C.Evans Expert

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    Nice pics Lou, and believe it or not? but, he looks like my friend Tom who is in Corpus Christi at the moment.
     
    C.Evans, Feb 2, 2011
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  6. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    I was thinking the same thing!
     
    A-58, Feb 2, 2011
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  7. Hilts

    Hilts Member

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    Awwww, he was only 5 foot 3 but you know what they say, 'It's not the size of the man in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the man'!!

    He was a corporal 3 times but got busted twice for thumping his sergeants, hey-ho!
     
    Hilts, Feb 3, 2011
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  8. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Interestingly, that was also my father's height. He trained as a boxer when he was a kid. When I was 17, for the first and only time, I raised my hands to him and he slapped me silly. It was one of the few times he actually put his hands on me. Earning his disapproval was usually enough punishment.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 3, 2011
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  9. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    Here is my great grandpa and I'm posting from work (shhh) so don't have all the info on him right off hand. He was a PFC in WWI and I'm still researching info on him...without much luck. My grandpa's mom's dad fought in the Civil War for Maine and I will get him to scan the only picture we have and I'll post it later.
    View attachment 12591
     

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    Krystal80, Feb 3, 2011
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  10. Gebirgsjaeger

    Gebirgsjaeger Ace

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  11. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    My grandfather boxed in the amy and is around 5'2" maybe weighed 115. He had a pair of golden gloves (whatever those are as I never saw them myself) but they were stolen from him the same time his medals were. I would like to replace them if anyone knows how or where to ask.
     
    Krystal80, Feb 3, 2011
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  12. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    Krystal, the Golden Gloves is a boxing tournament. Here is its website Official Golden Gloves of America Website. The history page has a list of national winners in each weight class, beginning in 1923. It might be worth contacting them to see what kind of an award he actually received and if it can be replaced.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 3, 2011
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  13. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    I didn't see him on there although that sure would have been neat. My dad must have misunderstood, but from his explaining they were tiny medal/gold gloves for some kind of award. Thank you for the link though.
     
    Krystal80, Feb 3, 2011
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  14. LRusso216

    LRusso216 Graybeard Staff Member

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    It's entirely possible that he was given them for a local or regional Golden Gloves tournament. I would still contact the organization to see if they can tell you if the award was shaped like small golden gloves.

    And thanks for the salute.
     
    LRusso216, Feb 3, 2011
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  15. Hilts

    Hilts Member

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    There is a lot of crime in the World. And as far as I'm concerned stealing a Vet's medals makes you the lowest scum society creates. Oh how I wish, just here and there, the thief would come unstuck and get a right pasting! (Rant Over!!) :mad:
     
    Hilts, Feb 4, 2011
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  16. Biak

    Biak Boy from Illinois Staff Member

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    I didn't notice if anyone had mentioned you can get his medals replaced. Go here to start;

    Start Your Military Service Record (DD Form 214) Request

    Good luck
     
    Biak, Feb 4, 2011
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  17. Krystal80

    Krystal80 Member

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    Oh thank you, but because of this forum I was able to do just that and get his brother's medals that was KIA. I'm working on shadow boxes, just taking forever to get everything and get it all put together. When I am all done, we are going to hang the 3 brother's shadow boxes on the wall with all the old military photos. Also put notebooks of all 3 with their division morning reports and each has a divisional history book. As you can see I spend way too much time here and everyone is way too helpful (but it has been fun and informative)!
     
    Krystal80, Feb 4, 2011
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  18. wtid45

    wtid45 Ace

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    This is my Dad he is fourth from the left the pic was taken on Mandalay hill March 1945, and I am in the long drawn out process of finding out what I can about that time and that leading up to it.And for those intrested in how my search has gone see here. http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/burma-india/19281-mandalay-hill.html
     

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  19. AndyPants

    AndyPants Ace

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    Great Thread guys......very interesting too
     
    AndyPants, Feb 4, 2011
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  20. A-58

    A-58 Cool Dude

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    Great picture there, and your Dad and his buddies look like they're going to enjoy their well earned rest. Keep posting what you find for us to see. Not much information is available on the CBI as the ETO and PTO.
     
    A-58, Feb 4, 2011
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