Albert Herman Wilhelm Talg (Talch): WWI service & uniform ID

afwife

I am trying to find out about my grandfather's WWI service. He was born in Luneburg, Germany - 14 Apr 1895. I have this one photo of him (1917-18 time frame), and am hoping someone can tell me about the uniform - branch of service. He is on the right; his friend, on the left appears to be some sort of officer (not him).

I also got this Luneburg City Register document and would appreciate some help with the translation, and any explanations people might have about the cities listed in the WWI period & their possible military relationship. I see his birth and his immigration date, 1927. I am not sure of what he was doing in Denmark, in 1919. Any ideas???

I appreciate any help and inputs anyone might have. I have searched for German service records, to no avail. Any suggestions about that; more directly German-based, perhaps?

Thank you,

Leah

Ulrich Neitzel

@afwife

Hello Leah,

I am glad you found additional information! But I cannot say anything about the uniforms, I am sorry.

The registy card gives information about the addresses/whereabouts for Albert Talg from his birth until he emigrated to America (as far as known to the Lüneburg authorities), similar to those you posted earlier for his parents.

Heading: Talg or Talch, Albert Schlosser (locksmith), Mechaniker (mechanics)

The list shows that his "base" was Rotehahnstrasse 11 (in Lüneburg) with his parents (Eltern) from which he did several "excursions":

24 Aug 1914 - 24 Nov 1914 to (Kleinburg-)Bleckede

13 Feb 1915 - 14 Apr 1915 to Geesthacht

17 Apr 1915 - 11 Nov 1919 "on the move" (Wanderschaft), 1919 returning from Denmark

25 Nov 1919 - to Denmark

23 Dec 1926 return from Norway

16 Feb 1927 emigration to America

Bleckede and Geesthacht are small towns on the banks of the river Elbe about 15 miles from Lüneburg, Bleckede to the east and Geesthacht to the north.

The document does not contain any information of specific military character. In particular, it is astonishing that he is said to be "on the move" from 1915 to 1919 (under WWI) and returned from Denmark, a neutral country during that war.

afwife

Hi Ulrich,

Thanks again for your translation work. I am glad it isn't just me thinking my grandfather's movements during the WWI time frame seem odd, unless they were militarily related. Perhaps, some other people out there might have some knowledge about that. I can't imagine what the Danish connection is about.

Ulrich Neitzel

Hello Leah,

I would like to share one thought with you regarding the uniform you grandfather is wearing. I searched the internet for German WWI uniforms and found that most, if not all of the uniform jackets had a visible row of buttons. A large collection of customized (newly tailored) WWI-uniforms can be seen on this page: http://www.bekleidungsamt-13.de/Anzugsarten-1907-1918. I also have a photo of my grandfather in uniform with such a jacket with visible button row.

The jackets on your photo have a concealed button placket instead. This could be a significant detail for somebody who is expert on these old uniforms. Maybe the owner of the above mentioned uniform page can give you a hint?

afwife

Hi Ulrich,

Thank you for taking the time to really look at my photo, compare it to your grandfather's uniform, and, to look online. What good eyes, to notice the difference in the button rows; true attention to detail!

I just wrote to the person at the link you provided. I will let you know if I hear back.