Item Description
Original 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!
This exact mess kit was also featured in The Book “Trench Art, An Illustrated History” by Jane Kimball on Page 225.
The mess kit is dated 1917 by Landry, Fray, & Clark (L.F. & C.), so Barker certainly carried this throughout his time in service. The front of the lid is engraved F. J. Barker Amb. Co. 12 1st Div. 2552 A.E.F. World’s War 1914-1918 with the names of the countries America France England Belgium Italy engraved in the corners. The reverse of the lid is engraved with a large Red Cross with American Red Cross / Field Service engraved above and below it.
The bowl of the mess kit is engraved around its circumference: CAMP MERRITT 4-19-19 CAMP UPTON 4-27-19 WOUNDED AT CANTIGNY 6-9-18 - 4AM. The bottom of the bowl is engraved Fred 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. 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.
This 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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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