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Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 4:41 pm
by Phil
A difficult one to solve, but maybe we can give it a try. This is from a Facebook request here, I gather this fellow believes it's probably an ancestor of his.
I would like to find out who this chap was Photo found in a box of my dads old photos, possibly surname Holmes or Hatchard WW1 Signal corps, any help would be great thanks. -Dave Hatchard‎
Q: Do you know if there is any specifically local connection?
A: Sorry no my Grandparents lived at Lytchett Matravers nr Poole
Q: Did [your] Gran or Grandad have any American connections as this is the American Signal corp. Does it have a studio name on [the] back?
A: I haven't got a clue sorry, Grans sisters moved to [Quebec] as orphans.
Originally spelled "Quebeck" but I believe that to be a mis-spelling.

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 5:50 pm
by Phil
Cartainly looks like US Signal Corps.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ww1-allie ... ply-17064/

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 6:22 pm
by Phil
And this confirms Signal Corps 1910-1924.

http://hglanham.tripod.com/metalinsigni ... disk1.html

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:12 pm
by Phil
Here's an Army Signal Corps portrait labelled 1918.
Black and white photograph of Earl J. Preston, Private 1st Class, 36th Service Company, Signal Corps, AEF, in uniform.
https://theworldwar.pastperfectonline.c ... 2966413505

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2018 8:14 pm
by Phil
In contrast here's another undated Army Signal Corps portrait with a different version of the collar pin.
Sepia toned photograph of Edgar Reagel in Signal Corps uniform with overseas cap.
https://theworldwar.pastperfectonline.c ... 5364021470

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 10:55 am
by Temujin
Phil, I usually don’t help with these types of searches, as without a lot more info, they are impossible to find anything.....BUT.....

In order to help in this case, do you have answer’s to these questions:

He believes he is related. Is Dave Hatchard and American or English......where does Dave live?

He background, his fathers and mother’s name, where they lived, what they did

His Grandfather and Grandmother’s name, where did they live and what they did........

Basically anything that would allow us to trace his “family tree” and then possibly come up with hints

Also, there are no notes on photographer or anything on this photo.......but, is the resolution on this photo good enough to “zoom in” on the ring on his finger. Looking for any type of clue, possibly an Initial, or a class ring.....anything

The more information of clues we can get the better......

I’ve done a quick search using “Hatchard”......but their are too many with last name “Hatchard’ in US military records....so would take months to narrow done the search without more clues.

A lot of these questions or information my be on the Facebook post, but I don’t do Facebook so anything he posted in addition to what you told us “may” help

That’s my thoughts on this

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:31 am
by Phil
I totally agree. I'm attempting to open a direct line with the fellow making the inquiry to get some additional questioned answered.

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:40 am
by Temujin
Phil........I “may” have found some clues.......

I’ve found a George F Hatchard, that served in the Signal Corps. His military records show he demoblized as a “Corporal”

His Father was George Robert Hatchard, who was born near Portsmouth, England (which is just up the coast from Lytchett Matravers)

His mother was Emily Louisa Cole, who was born in the US.

George Robert Hatchard e migrate de to the US. George F Hatchard was born in the US.

Documents supporting the above:
910E9CA3-51E0-4B41-81D6-0BDB633B3A50.jpeg
910E9CA3-51E0-4B41-81D6-0BDB633B3A50.jpeg (546.47 KiB) Viewed 19598 times
2115FEC4-DEC5-4E52-8CB9-D50350C3BFB3.jpeg
2115FEC4-DEC5-4E52-8CB9-D50350C3BFB3.jpeg (1.16 MiB) Viewed 19598 times
106CA059-A4FC-4C31-9A4A-AB0A139690B0.jpeg
106CA059-A4FC-4C31-9A4A-AB0A139690B0.jpeg (1.32 MiB) Viewed 19595 times
I’m not saying this is him.......but it’s a clue that might help

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 11:57 am
by Phil
Very interesting find, I'll see if any of this rings true for Dave.

Re: Unknown Signal Corps Soldier

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2018 12:01 pm
by Temujin
New York City Directory, show’s him and his father living at the same address in 1917
CF95DAEA-7F51-4E92-AC6C-3BCA3F703AF2.jpeg
CF95DAEA-7F51-4E92-AC6C-3BCA3F703AF2.jpeg (276.36 KiB) Viewed 19592 times