#july 1st 1917

[chaplinfortheages]

The Sunday Tribune, Providence R.I. July 1st 1917

[spookyfoxdreamer]

[whencyclopedia]

Erwin Rommel

Erwin Rommel (1891-1944) was a German field marshal who gained fame as a tank commander in the Fall of France in 1940 and then as the commander of the Afrika Korps in North Africa, where he gained numerous victories. Known as the 'Desert Fox' for his daring tactics, Rommel was obliged to commit suicide when suspected of involvement in the plot to kill the leader of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler (1889-1945).

Early Life

Erwin Rommel was born into a middle-class family on 15 November 1891 in Heidenheim an der Brenz, southern Germany. His father was a mathematics teacher, a subject Erwin showed a talent for when he was not cycling and skiing. Keen to study engineering and perhaps join the Zeppelin airship company, Erwin ended up joining the army in July 1910, specifically, the 6th Württemberg/124th Infantry Regiment. In the German system, future officers joined the ranks to gain their first experience of military life. Rommel earned his sergeant stripes and an insight into the private's life, which would serve him well as a commander throughout his career. Completing his officer's training at the War Academy of Danzig (modern Gdańsk) in early 1912, Lieutenant Rommel served in the infantry regiment he had first joined in 1910.

By the time the First World War (1914-18) broke out, Rommel was a platoon leader. One biographer memorably describes the young officer as "the perfect fighting animal, cold, cunning, ruthless, untiring, quick of decision, incredibly brave" (quoted in Boatner III, 462). During the conflict, Rommel won both the 2nd and 1st class versions of the Iron Cross. He was next assigned to a special group of mountain troops where he served as a company commander. Here he learnt the value of mobility in modern warfare. For his role in capturing Monte Matajur near Caporreto in the Italian Alps in October 1917, Rommel gained another medal, this time the Pour le Mérite (Prussia's highest decoration), one of only two he would proudly wear for the rest of his life, the other being the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Oak Leaves, Swords and Diamonds (the highest German decoration). By now a captain, Rommel saw out the war as a staff officer.

Continue reading...

[pinturas-gran-guerra-aire]

1917 06 Black Flight briefing - Russell Smith

Black Flight Brief depicts the famous Sopwith triplanes of Royal Naval Air Service 10 Squadron's "Black Flight". Although it was the last of the RNAS Squadrons to be equipped with the Triplane, Naval 10 is perhaps best known for its use of the Triplane in combat. B Flight, or "Black Flight" as it was more well known, was made up entirely of Canadian pilots and led by the legendary Raymond Collishaw. The flight become particularly iconic for its black-nosed triplanes, all of which bore the word "Black" as part of their name.

In his book Air Command, Collishaw said of the Triplane:

"The three-wing design was adopted to permit the pilot the widest possible field of vision, and also as a means of ensuring maneuverability. The middle wing was at the pilot's eye level, and interfered very little with his vision. All three wings had a narrow chord, and because of this the top and bottom wings blocked off less from the pilot's view than in the case of biplanes, which had wings of far greater chord, or measurement from leading to trailing edge." Based at Droglandt Aerodrome during the summer of 1917, "Black Flight" shot down 87 enemy aircraft between June 1st and July 28th 1917 and was one of the most successful units of the war.

[kemetic-dreams]

Lucien Victor Alexis (1887-1981)

Not very much is known of Lucien Alexis’ early childhood in New Orleans, but what is known are the achievements he would make in later years to come. Born on July 8, 1887 to Louis Victor and Alice Saucier Alexis, he was educated in the local schools where he excelled academically. Alexis was determined to attend Harvard University. Not having the finances to do so, he began working in 1907(at the age of twenty) as a railway mail clerk, saving for the education he so desperately desired.

By the time he reached twenty-seven, he had set aside enough money for four years of college. He applied and was accepted at Harvard but was asked to attend (for one year) Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, a prestigious preparatory high school. While at Exeter, he lived in the home of Mr. H.F. Quimby and soon developed a keen interest in foreign languages and the sciences. By now he had only enough money for three years upon entering Harvard, so he managed by graduating “cum laude” a year early (1917). It was there, at Harvard, that he earned the nickname: “The Negro Einstein.”

That same year, Alexis entered Officers’ Training School in Des Moines, Iowa and was commissioned as a 1st lieutenant and assigned to the 367th Infantry on October 15, 1917. World War I was raging in Europe and Alexis sailed for service in France on June, 1918. Two months before departing, Alexis married Rita Holt in Gulfport, Mississippi and together they would have one son, Lucien Victor Alexis Jr.

Upon returning to New Orleans, Alexis took up the profession of teaching. He was assigned to McCarthy Elementary in 1921 and appointed Assistant Principal in 1923 at Willow Elementary. But his greatest reward came in 1926 when he became principal of McDonogh #35, the only public high school opened for the education of colored students in the city of New Orleans. For the next nearly 30 years, he would leave an indelible mark on this institution which is still being echoed by many of his formal students up to the present day.

“It was not unusual to spot our principal walking up and down the corridors of the Rampart Street School reading scientific works printed in German. Noted for his mastery of Latin, he often found time to instruct advanced classes in the subject.” (Class of 1936)

Other graduates affectionately tell stories of his successful administration but also his dreadful “army”. Being a former military man, Lucien was said to be strict but fair as well as famous for his method of disciplining students. Students who violated his dress or discipline code were forced to join Alexis’ “army” and ordered to march up and down the second floor of the school building.

Respect for Mr. Alexis soon extended beyond the school grounds and into the community. Since McDonogh #35 was located on South Rampart and Girod Streets, the students had to pass through a neighborhood of sleazy bars, houses of prostitution and various other vices. Often the girls were meddled by men on the way going and coming from school. Fortunately, once it was known that you were an “Alexis” girl, you were never meddled again. They respected Mr. Alexis and knew to show respect to his students.

The “Negro Einstein” did not give up his interest and love for science once he became principal. For five years he engaged in serious scientific study and soon published a 40 page brochure outlining his principles of a new theory which he termed his “ethonic” theory.

From 1929 to 1937, he published the following scientific articles: Fundamentals in Physics & in Chemistry, The Thermo-Electric Formula, The Riddle of the Magnetic Field, An Empirical Disclosure of the Fallacies of Relativity, A Counter-Deduction from Bent Alpha Tracks, Radiations-Their Loci of Travel and Their Loci of Origin, The Co-Origin of Gravity&Cosmic Rays, Simple Formulae for Measuring Atoms, Their Speed, and the Speed of Light.

Upon retirement, the brilliant educator and published author opened Straight Business School on North Claiborne near Esplanade Avenue and Mrs. Alexis basically ran it. Lucien Alexis also was president of the Supreme Industrial Life Insurance Company, founder and executive director of the School of Post-Modern Science in New Orleans, and a charter member of Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Alexis also spent a great deal of time on his favorite hobbies at home. On the 25th Anniversary of his graduation from Harvard, he told the Harvard press of these hobbies:

“Don’t interfere with my physics and chemistry, which I have raised from the ignoble position of a hobby into the dignified status of a science. Don’t interfere with my Italian which I have picked up since leaving you fellows. Don’t interfere with my German, my French, or my Spanish which I have kept plugging at. These are my near hobbies. You may interfere with my gardening and my frequent efforts at directing operettas, especially the Gilbert and Sullivan ones, for there you are in the field of real hobbies of mine.”

Lucien Alexis passed away December 18, 1981. He is buried in the family’s tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No.3.

[scotianostra]

Alexander Edwards was born on 4th November 1885 in Lossiemouth.

Alexander was the son of Alexander Edwards, fishermen of Stotfield, Lossiemouth and Jessie (née Smith); his brother James was lost at sea and his younger brother John, CSM Seaforth Hldrs awarded MM July 1916.

Alexander was educated at a local school in Lossiemouth Sch.ool, he was employed as a cooper making barrels for fishing industry;

On 1st September 1914 he joined the 6th (Morayshire) Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders,[a part of the 51st (Highland) Division. After training in Bedford, the battalion travelled to France in May 1915.

By 1917 Alexander Edwards, had reached the the rank of sergeant, and on 31 July 191 demonstrated tremendous bravery at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge 7 on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele.

The London Gazette of 14 September 1917 recorded:

For most conspicuous bravery in attack, when, having located a hostile machine gun in a wood, he, with great dash and courage, led some men against it, killed all the team and captured the gun. Later, when a sniper was causing casualties, he crawled out to stalk him, and although badly wounded in the arm, went on and killed him. One officer only was now left with the company, and, realising that the success of the operation depended on the capture of the furthest objective, Serjt. Edwards, regardless of his wound, led his men on till this objective was captured. He subsequently showed great skill in consolidating his position, and very great daring in personal reconnaissance. Although again twice wounded on the following day, this very gallant N.C.O. maintained throughout a complete disregard for personal safety, and his high example of coolness and determination engendered a fine fighting spirit in his men.

Sergeant Edwards was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions. Returning to Britain, Edwards received his Victoria Cross from King George V at Buckingham Palace on 26 September 1917. A week later he attended a reception in his honour at Lossiemouth, where he was presented with a gold watch and war bonds. He later returned to France and rejoined the 6th Seaforth.

On 21st March 1918 the Germans began their Kaiserschlacht (Spring Offensive). On 24th March Edwards was wounded and posted missing in action, presumed killed, at Bapaume Wood, east of Arras, France.

[latibvles]

i cant wait to learn more about the new clubmobile girls!! is there anything you can say, any hcs or fun facts about them?

im glad you’re excited for them friend!!! Yeah I can drop some stuff about them down below :)

—

ISABEL GARCÍA

Born November 1st, 1920

Mexican-American, born in San Francisco, lived in Los Angeles prior to the war

Went to UCLA! She majored in Education :)

She’s bilingual (Spanish and English)

Friends call her Izzy

Really loves to dance, all over the floor constantly switching from partner-to-partner. And also the go-to girl to give the other club girls a bit of a break from that kinda thing

Good about remembering names and faces (you could make an angst fic outta that— [GUNSHOTS])

She and Anita Rivera from Pasadena Nena are buddies. They shoot the shit together, often in Spanish.

She’s apart of that demographic of “I wanted to help and they gave me this!” as for why she joined the Red Cross. She’s also a sister, so I think she has family currently in the service.

Little Miss Workaholic Guys…. she’s a hard worker but does not know how to take a break

big ol’ crush on everett blakely bless that stupid man’s heart

CATHERINE PRICE

Born July 7th, 1917

From Massachusetts, but moved further South when she was 13

As aforementioned, she and Crank did grade-school together :)

(average guy having a crush on the girl who read the big world aloud in his class)

Anyways, she’s a military brat “affectionate.” Her dad served in the Marines (he’s not in combat during WW2, but he is training guys down at Parris Island)

Friends call her Kitty! Or Cat! She doesn’t mind either

Has a sweet tooth. If she could get away with baking in the mess hall kitchen she would (and will)

Donut smuggler. Holds onto the extras. Shares with Harrie. They’re buddies

I could see her coming into ownership of a stray British cat

Which is to say she’s really sweet. Fitting in consideration to her hobbies

And she joined the Red Cross because her dad would have a fit if she tried to go into the infantry or piloting or anything like that, but she still wanted to help

[captain-price-unofficially]

Red Cross nurses serving bread and coffee to American doughboys of the 16th Infantry, 1st Division, upon their arrival in Paris, 4 July 1917

[rabbitcruiser]

Canada Day

All those who celebrate Canada as their home and native land celebrate Canada Day on July 1st. The day commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, which consolidated three territories into the single nation of Canada,  way back in 1867. That’s right — Canada celebrated its 150th birthday in 2017!

When is Canada Day 2024?

“O Canadaaa!” The country and all things Canada are celebrated on Canada Day on July 1.

History of Canada Day

Until 1982, Canada celebrated Dominion Day as their national holiday. The day was then renamed ‘Canada Day.’ The history of Canada isn’t splattered with a ton of wars and bloodshed, unlike many other countries. Throughout the mid-1800s, the possibility of unification between the British North American colonies was discussed. On July 1, 1867, the British Parliament brought the British North America Act into effect, leading to the creation of independent Canada. The territories within the dominion consisted of Upper and Lower Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Through this act, Canada was divided into Quebec and Ontario, allowing provisions for neighboring colonies to join in the future. This is how present-day Canada came into formation. The British North America Act served as the constitution for Canada until 1982.

Dominion Day was established in 1879 but wasn’t celebrated by many Canadians, as they still identified themselves as British citizens. This changed on the 50th anniversary of the confederation in 1917, when Dominion Day started becoming more popular. A bill was forwarded in 1946 to rename Dominion Day, but the passing of the bill was stalled due to disagreement in the House of Commons over what the new name should be.

In 1967, on the 100th anniversary of the nation’s creation, there was an increasing interest in Canadian patriotism, and celebrations really took off. Even before it became official, citizens would refer to the holiday as Canada Day, and the name was finally adopted in 1982.

Canada Day timeline

1867 Canadian Independence

Britain grants Canada its national independence.

1879 Dominion Day

A federal law makes July 1 a statutory holiday as the ‘anniversary of Confederation,’ later renamed ‘Dominion Day.’

October 27, 1982 It’s Official

Dominion Day officially becomes Canada Day.

2017 Canada turns 150!

The 150th Anniversary of Confederation is celebrated jubilantly.

Traditions of the day

Is it possible to have a patriotic celebration without a grand parade? We think not. Big and small parades are held in villages and cities all over Canada. Other traditions include wearing the national flag colors, having outdoor picnics, sporting events, festivals, and fireworks.

Canada Day FAQs

Why is Canada Day celebrated?

Canada Day commemorates the anniversary of Confederation in 1867 when the British North America Act was passed.  

How old is Canada this year 2020?

Canada turned 153 years old in 2020.

Is Canada Day like the Fourth of July?

Similar to how Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, Canada Day celebrates the country’s independence and its unity.

Canada Day Activities

Bust out the Canadian flag!

Whip up some Canadian delicacies

Get out to a Parade

No Canada Day celebration is complete without the Canadian flag, be it hung from a window, draped from the shoulders, or painted on the face!

Canadians love to celebrate Canada Day with traditional Canadian foods, whether it be Poutine, Baklava, or beaver tails (deep fried bread dough with cinnamon and chili).

Many Canadian cities will hold Canada Day parades, complete with fireworks, street food, and full marching bands. There's nothing more Canadian than getting out and celebrating with your neighbors.

5 Unbelievably Cool Facts About Canada

Canada has more lakes than you think

Canada has the world’s longest coastline

Canada has an abundance of trees.

Quebec produces the most maple syrup.

Canada can get as cold as Mars!

The stereotypical thing associated with Canada is maple syrup, but the country has more surface area covered with lakes compared to any other country in the world combined.

If one were to walk the entire length of the Canadian coastline at a pace of 12 miles per day, it will take 30 years.

Canada boasts 30% of the world’s boreal forest and 10% of the world’s total forests.

Quebec supplies almost two-thirds of the world’s maple syrup.

A temperature of -63℃ (-81.4℉) was recorded in the small village of Snag on Feb. 3, 1947 — that’s colder than the average temperature on the surface of Mars!

Why We Love Canada Day

It coincides with personal freedom

It's the perfect excuse for a cold one

It kicks off History Week

Canada Day roughly correlates to America's Independence Day — but many Canadians get the additional gift of personal freedom, as most leases in La Belle province expire on July 1st.

British Columbia alone guzzles 1.2 million—yes, million—liters of beer over Canada Day weekend (all purchased from official government run liquor stores, of course).

From 2013 onwards, Canada Day has marked the beginning of Canada History Week—which encourages citizens to learn more about their nation by visiting museums, monuments, and memorials.

Source

[mindisland]

The Philosopher's Flight and The Philosopher's War Timeline

Tom Miller clearly planned these two novels stupendously, and I found myself wanting to put everything together in order so I could follow the timeline the way he intended. Hope someone else finds this helpful!

1750: Sigilry comes into widespread use 1831: Cadwallader invents smoke carving 1857: Transporter sigil first comes into use 1861: Wainwright starts Legion of Confederate Smokecarvers April 6, 1865: Petersburg massacre 1865: Birth-control sigils are published 1870: Franco-Prussion war begins 1871: Cadwallader’s Siggilrists break the Korps des Philosoph beseiging Paris 1891: Chilean Civil War - Beau Canderelli is a military philosopher 1892: Maxewell Gannet alludes to his list of 200 sigilrists 1897: Beau Canderelli and Emmaline Weekes meet in Havana January 1899: Robert is born 1901: Second Disturbance - Emmaline Weekes and Beau Canderelli guerrilla fight the trenchers November 1901: Beau Canderelli dies of a gunshot 1902: Hatcher and Jimenez make the first Transatlantic Flight hovering back-to-back 1914: The Great War breaks out February 1916: Gallipoli; Danielle Hardin evacuates most of the Commonwealth army solo 1916: Corruption discovered in 1st Division of R&E by Blandings; Gen. Rhodes creates 5th division for Blandings before Rhodes is fired April 6, 1917: Philosopher’s Flight begins August 1917: Edith Rubinsky (Edie or Ruby) gets her legs ruined January 1918: Robert gets his sigil fixed January 1918: Robert places 3rd in the Long Course of the General’s Cup May? 1918: Danielle becomes aide to Sen. Cadawaller-Fulton July 1918: Robert goes to Europe as part of R&E Early October 1918: Drale dies, Punnet dies in Battle of Saint-Mihiel Late October 1918: Robert breaks 1000 evacuations October 30th, 1918: the mutiny begins; Germans attack Metz and head towards Paris with their plague smoke October 31st, 1918: Robert picks up Bertie Synge and gets trapped under German cloud of smoke November 1st, 2pm, 1918: Edie finds Robert and Bertie November 2nd, 1918: Robert and co. end the war by transporting Berlin January? 1919: Robert ties 1st with Dmitri in the endurance flight February? 1919: General Pershing decimates the Corps, renames it the Army Philosophical Service; Essie stays on and rises through the ranks March 1919: Thomasina Blandings is court-martialed, subsequently gets sentenced to 10 years imprisonment at Ft Leavenworth Christmas 1919: First Zoning law passed January? 1920: Robert ties 1st with Michael Nakamura March? 1920: limits on hoverers license passed; Robert is living in Massachusetts January? 1921: Robert places 1st in Endurance flight 1922: Assuming she held to her timeline, Danielle Hardin runs and wins the Representative seat in Rhode Island 1926: Second Zoning Act - Danielle Hardin campaigns against December 26, 2926: Danielle Hardin writes to Robert 1930: Robert and (presumably) Edie’s daughter is born January 1932: Pilar Desoto orbits earth, Robert powers her 3rd-stage booster 1939: Preface to Flight, Robert is exiled in Mexico and is Field Commander for the Free North American Cavalry (at some point lbefore this, Freddy Unger starts teaching at the Universidad de Tamaulipas, Essie is promoted to Major General of the US Army Philosophical Service, Edie becomes a doctor of Neurology at Matamoros General Hospital) 1941: Danielle Hardin is/was Secretary of Philosophy to Franklin D Roosevelt November 11, 1941: Preface to War, Robert is promoted to Commander and Brig. General of First North American Volunteer Air Cavalry, and is in China due to personal request from Roosevelt (in exchange for amnesty for sigilrists in exile from United Stages)

[moneeb0930]

Lucien Alexis Sr. earned the nickname of the “Negro Einstein” while as a student at Harvard University. Despite facing an extreme set of obstacles, Alexis managed not only to graduate from the prestigious university, but became a famed educator himself.

Alexis was born July 8, 1887 in New Orleans, La. Not much has been recorded about Alexis’ childhood but what is known is that he took work as a railway mail clerk at the age of 20. For seven years, Alexis toiled and saved up enough funds for four years at Harvard. The university did accept him, but asked if he would attend the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire before entering Harvard.

The academy became a place where Alexis thrived, and also where he developed a love for foreign languages and the sciences. However, the year at Exeter cost him one year of his Harvard savings. Determined to fulfill his college dream, Alexis graduated “cum laude” in 1917, a year earlier than expected thus staving off the need for outside funds.

In the same year, Alexis entered Officer’s Training School in Des Moines, Ia. And was commissioned 1st Lieutenant of the 367th Infantry in World War I. After the war, met and married Rita Holt. They had one son together, Lucien Jr., who also attended Harvard and is part of its lore as well for reasons other than academics.

Alexis returned to his hometown of New Orleans, working as a teacher and assistant principal of a pair of elementary schools. But it was his appointment as principal for McDonough High School in the city that made him a legendary figure. McDonough was the only public high school for Black people at the time, and it was nestled in a poor neighborhood.

For 30 years, Alexis turned the school into one of the best in the city. He had so much respect that unsavory figures near the school wouldn’t bother any of his students as they traveled through the neighborhood.

During his time as an educator, Alexis continued his life of science and published several scientific articles. Upon retirement, he opened the Straight Business School in the city and his wife ran the facility. Alexis was also a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

Alexis passed in 1981, outliving his son who died in 1975."

https://blackamericaweb.com/2020/04/08/little-known-black-history-fact-lucien-alexis-sr/

[aroundtheworldiej]

Hemingway and WW II

By Nassim Belhadj

On September 1st 1939, Adolf Hitler invaded Poland with his army. Outbreak of World War II. During this period, the world-famous writer and journalist Ernest Hemingway was in his 40's. In this article we will present you the life of Ernest Hemingway during the war.

Credits : GoogleImage.com

The beginning of a world conflict

From the beginning of the Second World War until July 1944, Hemingway spent his time in his Cuban villa in Havana: he fished and spent his days on his yacht. He also follows sports and literary news. However, he does not inform himself at all of the geopolitical news of the moment. This does not prevent him from continuing to be active and from continuing to publish books. The first one came out in 1940 entitled “For whom the bell tolls”, which earned him his 7th Nobel Prize for Literature. The first came out in 1940 entitled “For whom the bell tolls”, which earned him his 7th Nobel Prize for Literature. This book is inspired by his experience during the Spanish Civil War, a conflict during which he will be sent as a journalist-reporter. His second book is called "Men at war", which tells the story of the United States' entry into the war.

Credits : GoogleImage.com

July 1944 In June 1944, he participated as a soldier in the Normandy landings. At the end of July 1944, he was assigned to the 22nd Infantry Regiment commanded by Colonel Charles Buck Lanaham, which was heading for Paris. On August 25, he was present during the liberation of Paris. He went to Luxembourg to cover the Battle of the Ardennes on December 1917, however due to his state of health, he was hospitalized due to a pneumonia. A week later, he was discharged from the hospital but the fighting was over. In January 1945, he put an end to his participation in combat as a soldier but also as a journalist-reporter.

Credits : GoogleImage.com

To conclude, we can say that Hemigway's participation in the conflict was a bit late. Nevertheless, he participated in important moments of the conflict, such as the landing in Normandy and the liberation of Paris.

[pinturas-gran-guerra-aire]

1918 04 Remember me - Russell Smith

Remember Me? depicts a hypothetical but plausible encounter between and Bristol F2.b of 48th Squadron, RAF and a Fokker Dr.1 triplane piloted by Leutnant d. R. Friedrich "Fritz" Kempf of Jasta 2 (Boelcke). The scene depicts Kempf zooming up and past the Bristol, catching the crew by surprise. The client was fairly specific about the attitudes and positions of the aircraft, but he left the overall composition and the choice of Bristol markings up to me.The Bristol Fighter was a maneuverable, heavily armed two-seater biplane, and one of the most successful fighters of the war. It got off to a poor start during "Bloody April" when it was introduced to the Western Front by the inexperienced pilots. Believing that the aircraft was structurally weak, pilots avoided violent maneuvers during combat. It was soon realized, however, that the Bristol fighter was actually a very sturdy aircraft that could be maneuvered as if it were a single seat fighter with rear protection. Bristol crews met with great success by using their aircraft in that capacity. By the end of the war over 240 pilots and gunners achieved ace status in the type. My choice of markings for this particular Bristol was personal. Growing up in SC I often attended the Shawfest airshow at Shaw Air Force Base located in Sumter. In my 20’s, as a budding aviation artist, I donated a painting to the 20th Fighter Wing which was based at Shaw AFB at the time. For those reasons I have had long felt a familiar connection to Shaw AFB. A few years back, though that connection became very personal. While doing some research on Ancestry I found that I had a great great grandfather who was a Shaw and who was born in Sumter, SC. I knew immediately there had to be a connection to Shaw AFB. After further research I came to find that Shaw AFB was named after 1st Lt. Ervin David “Molly” Shaw, the first Sumterite killed in the WWI & the only Sumter Aviator to die in combat. Shaw served with the 48th Squadron, RAF, British Expeditionary Force. In combat, he is credited with shooting down two enemy aircraft. On July 9, 1918, well behind enemy lines on a scouting mission, he and his British observer were greatly outnumbered by enemy scout planes and they perished in battle. They were flying Bristol F2b B-1113 at the time. As it turns out, 1st Lt. Ervin David Shaw, after whom Shaw AFB is named, was my great-grandmother’s cousin!Frederich "Fritz" Kempf was born in May 1894 in Freiburg in the town of Breisgau in the southwest of Baden-Württemberg. At age 19, he joined infantry in October 1913 and by August of the following year was promoted to Unteroffizier . After being wounded in battle and a lengthy hospital stay he applied for a transfer to the Luftstreitkraefte. Once accepted he arrived at FEA 3 in Gotha on May 6, 1915. He was then sent back to Freiburg to complete training and then on to FEA 9 at Darmstadt at the end of November 1915. In March 1917, after serving with various aviation units, he received the Iron Cross 1st Class and joined Jasta 2 "Boelcke". He scored his first victory on 29 April - a BE2c near Le Pave. His second was a Sopwith Pup on 5 June at Masnieres, then the 3rd was a Camel on 20 Oct. at Gravenstafel.He was sent to Jasta-Schule I as an instructor , returning to Jasta Boelcke in January 1918. On 8 May he scored his fourth victory, a Camel west of Steenwerke. He returned to Jasta-Schule I in August 1918 where he served until the end of the war. Although he only had 4 victories to his credit at war’s end, Kempf was none the less a respected and valued member of Jasta Boelcke. He died in August 1966.Of the aircraft that Fritz Kempf flew during his wartime career, perhaps the most recognizable were a pair of Fokker Dr.1 triplanes which carried similar

[lboogie1906]

Lieutenant Colonel Eldridge F. Williams (November 2, 1917 - July 2, 2015) was one of the first trainers of Tuskegee Airmen. He was born in Harris, Texas, the son of cotton sharecroppers Ora and E.D. Williams. He enrolled in Western University, he received a BBA. He received an MA in Education from Xavier University and an MA from the University of Michigan.

When the first Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain aircraft was established at Tuskegee, he applied for flight training. He was rejected for poor eyesight by an Army physician who opposed the “Tuskegee Experiment” and wrote “Negro. Re-examination is NOT recommended.” He was sent to an all-Black infantry unit at Fort Leonard Wood for combat engineer training. He was moved to an office when it was discovered that he could type 90 words a minute. He became a 1st Sergeant and, he was selected for Officer Training School in Miami Beach.

He graduated from OCS and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen Program as Assistant Director of Physical Training. He trained cadets in parachute landing and survival techniques. He was promoted to Captain. He trained almost all of the 992 African Americans who became Tuskegee Airmen.

He became the head tennis and basketball coach at NCA&T College. He returned to military service and served through the Korean War. After President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981, he departed for his first integrated assignment on the island of Okinawa, Japan. He retired from the military service with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He became a teacher with the Miami-Dade County Public School System. He wrote an autobiography, “Without Wings I Soared.” He was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and the Rotary Club of Miami-Kendall. He was President of the Lake Chara Homeowners Association. He was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal by President Barack Obama.

He was survived by Rosa White, his companion for 17 years, and his daughter. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence #alphaphialpha

[scotianostra]

On July 9th 1917 tragedy struck when the HMS Vanguard blew up in Scapa Flow with the loss of over 800 lives.

Built in 1909 this was the eighth ship to bear the name Vanguard and was part of a new generation of Dreadnought battleships.

After conducting exercises in Scapa Flow she proceeded to anchor for the evening. At 11.20pm a series of internal explosions sank the ship almost immediately. Some 843 men died. Only two men survived, although another source says three.

It was initially feared that a German U-boat had caused the disaster but an investigation determined that an accidental explosion probably caused by cordite inside the battleship’s magazines sank the ship.

101 years on it is still the worst accident in the Royal Navy’s wartime history.

On the night of the explosion, 16 of the ship’s officers were on another vessel watching a concert. Another eight ratings tasked with collecting the officers had just left the Vanguard in a small boat.

Only three men who were on-board HMS Vanguard (out of 845) survived the initial explosion, however, Lieutenant Commander Alan Duke, later died of his injuries, which is probably why the other source gave me three survivors?

The other two men, Marine J Williams and Stoker 1st Class FW Cox, miraculously survived the explosion. The men are said to have been unable to recall the disaster and described being asleep in their bunks before waking up swimming away from the battleship. Very little is known about the lives of the two sailors following the disaster.

The wreck was heavily salvaged after the war, but was eventually protected as a war grave in 1984. It was designated as a controlled site under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, and diving on the wreck is generally forbidden.

A simple Celtic Cross memorial remembers those lost that night at Lyness Naval Cemetery, Orkney there are 445 Commonwealth burials here of the First World War, 109 of which are unidentified. The majority of the graves are of officers, ratings, and members of the land forces lost from the Vanguard. It is one of the largest military graveyards in the country.

[geneajournals]

Surprise | 52 Ancestors

My mother, Annis Willis, applied for a Social Security number in 1938.

Annis Virginia Willis, SS no. 416-18-0364, 29 July 1938, Application for Account Number (Form SS-5), Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland.

On her original SS-5 application she gave the following information:

Date of birth: 29 March 1912

Father’s Full Name: John Henry Willis

Mother’s Full Maiden Name: Arnita Harris

Please note the information on my mother’s SS-5 application is correct.

In 2013 I obtained a certified copy of my parents Marriage License and Certificate.  The following digital image of the original document was accessed at a FamilySearch Center.

Alabama  Department of Public Health, Marriage License and Certificate 47-004419 (1947), Daniel Salter and Annis Meriwether, 22 February 1947; digital image, "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2D7-LLFC : accessed 12 October 2022) 7732860 > images 443-444.

The “verified statements” under “Bride” on the 1947 Marriage License contained several surprises, to wit:  

Bride’s name: Annis Merriwether. 

Date of birth: Mch 29, 1917.  

Full name father: John W. Meriwether. 

The age shaving was surprising.  However, I was utterly astonished by the Merriwether/Meriwether name.  Where did that come from?  My hypothesis is a previous marriage. That could explain the bride’s surname. This was represented as a “1st” marriage. The surname of the bride’s father usually matches her maiden name. Perhaps this is the reason for the “John W. Meriwether” fabrication. 

Since 2013 I have searched for Meriweather, Meriwether, Merriweather and Merriwether in conjunction with variant spellings of Annis. All results have been negative. As more records are digitized and indexed perhaps the why and wherefores of the information on the marriage license can be solved.