Original Items: One-of-a-kind-set. Horace E. Gerberick Army serial number 1918197 was born on January 30th, 1894 and enlisted on September 29th, 1917. He was a member of the 307th Engineers, Company E. The 307th was stationed in France from May 1918 to May 1919 and saw active combat between June and November 1918 in the following engagements: Toul (Lagney Sector), Marbache, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne. Included in this incredible collection is an original typed History of the 307th. Engineers Aug. 11 1917 - Mar 1, 1918 where every battle, movement, casualty etc is documented. Of particular interest are the penciled notes made by Gerberick about Gas attacks (multiple), shelling, deaths such as his commanding officer in E company Lt. J.H. Claxon who was killed by a mine on the 14th of October 1918, and much more.
Included in this grouping are the following items:
1917 Wool uniform tunic with fantastic rare French made 82nd All American patch to the left shoulder, Engineers collar device, private chevron and overseas service bars on left sleeve. Original size label still found in collar (38 Regular). Offered in excellent condition.
1917 fine weave lightweight wool uniform tunic with 82nd All American patch to the left shoulder, Engineers collar device, private chevron and overseas service bars on left sleeve. Original bakelite buttons still intact. Offered in excellent condition. This tunic can be seen in photographs of Gerberick included with this set.
Original dog tags that read Horace Gerberick U.S.A. and on the reverse 1918197
Original U.S. WWI Army Doughboy Gas Mask Set date 1917 under the flap of the carry bag and on the reverse H. E. Gerberick Co. E. 307 ENG. Offered in good condition (mask is brittle).
2 x 1917 overseas side caps (one with private insignia, the other with metal engineers pin).
1917 fine weave lightweight wool uniform pants with leather belt. Pants marked GER.
1917 heavy wool uniform pants with web belt.
1917 wool shirt.
Toilet bag / sewing kit complete with two spools of Clarks thread, needles in original packet, buttons, thimble as well as a toothbrush, comb, straight razor in excellent sharp condition with box, soap stick for shaving a So Sew Soldier sewing roll with more needles and thread.
A wonderful GOT MIT UNS German match book holder in brass that is a copy of the belt buckle worn by German soldiers. It holds a pack of French made/labeled matches.
Pair of eye glasses in case with label that is named to Gerberick and DR. J.O. COOKERY., Optometrist, York Pa.
Pages and Pages of documents snd books including original typed History of the 307th. Engineers Aug. 11 1917 - Mar 1, 1918, History of the 82nd Divisions A.E.F., Original Honorable Discharge listing his time overseas and battles he fought in, Original Enlistment Record, Original 307th Engineers Company E Service Overseas One Year Roster, as well as pages and pages of news article magazines, WWI dated correspondence, dozens of postcards (WWI dated) and much more.
4 x period photographs of Gerberick in uniform three of which are large 8 x 10 format in rigid cardboard frames and one is a 4 x 5.
One period photograph of the 307th Engineers Company E featuring including Gerberick.
Pillow sham for his sweetheart that features an American flag, a USGI and the 307th Engineers insignia.
Many more, books, docs, small pieces etc
Overall an incredible complete grouping full documented of a member of the 307th Engineers that saw action in 4 campaigns in 1918.
