(1) Sieben Feldpostkarten mit Propagandamotiven, versendet zwischen dem 5. August 1917 und dem 6. Januar 1918 (2) Todesanzeige für den Unteroffizier Georg Zipperling (3) Bescheinigung über die Dienstzeit des Obergefreiten Georg Zipperling (4) Todeszeugnis (5) Sterbeurkunde || Der Unteroffizier Julius Rudolf Georg Zipperling wurde am 8. September 1891 in Berlin-Pankow geboren. Bis zum Kriegsausbruch sollte er seinen Geburtsort auch nicht mehr verlassen. So lebte er zusammen mit seinen Eltern Rudolf und Margareta Zipperling sowie seinen Geschwistern in der Wollankstraße in Pankow. Sein Vater arbeitete als Betriebsaufseher. Er selbst war bis zum Kriegsbeginn als Bürogehilfe tätig. Bereits seit dem 15.10.1913 diente er in dem Hohenzollernschen Fußartillerie-Regiment Nr. 24, 5. Batterie. Mit diesem Regiment zog er auch im August 1914 an die Westfront. Aus der Zeit zwischen August 1917 und Januar 1918 sind mehrere Postkarten erhalten, die er an seine Familie nach Berlin schickte. Als er im Herbst 1918 auf dem Rückweg nach Hause war, erkrankte er an einer Lungenentzündung. Er wurde in das Reserve-Lazarett I. in Gießen gebracht. Dort verstarb er am 24. November 1918 im Alter von 27 Jahren.

Wilhelm Spang entstammte einer gutbürgerlichen Kölner Familie. Er studierte zunächst Jura und wurde 1914 zum Militärdienst eingezogen. Bis 1918 überstand er den Krieg unbeschadet und wurde mehrfach ausgezeichnet. 1918 wurde er Opfer eines Giftgasangriffs. Aus dem Feldlazarett 379 in Erquinghem-Lys schreibt er am 17.08.1918 an meine Lieben: Ich bin entsetzlich schwer erkrankt an Gasvergiftung. Die Ärzte geben sich alle Mühe. Sonst kann ich über den Ausgang weiter nichts Näheres sagen. Sein Vater überwies mindestens einmal eine Summe von 100 Reichsmark an das Feldlazarett. Eine Mitteilung von Gerhard Elgner vom 27.08.1918 informiert die Familie über den Tod Wilhelm Spangs. Der Kommentar seines Vaters dazu war: Dann hätte ich ihn auch Karneval-Prinz werden lassen können. Wilhelm Spang war in der Familie für seine ausgefallenen Karnevalskostüme bekannt. || Briefe, Postkarten und Fotos von Wilhelm Spang und seiner Familie. Ein Brief vom 27.08.1918 stammt von Gerhard Elgner, der der Familie Spang mitteilt, Wilhelm Spang bis zu seinem Tod gepflegt zu haben, dass seine Lunge vom Gas zerfressen war und Wilhelm ihn darum gebeten habe den Brief, den Wilhelm kurz vor seinem Tod schrieb, an die Familie Spang zu schicken. Dieser Bitte kam Elgner nach; Quittungsschreiben über 100 RM an das Feldlazarett vom 16.08.1918.

Military records, Photos, Medals and souviners all still in the hands of the family. || Leo Byrne was born in Dublin in 1888 but enlisted in the British Army under the name Joseph. He first enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery in 1908 in Dublin. His profession was a builder labourer. His term of service was for 12 years, the first 6 being in active service and the final 6 being in the reserves, depending on conditions. He was 5ft 5ins, weighed 128lbs, of fresh complexion, had hazel coloured eyes and black hair. He joined the service at Richmond Barracks, Templemore (Garda training college today) under the Driver rank. He remained in Britain until September 1909 after 1 year 12 days. He travelled to India and served there from September 1909 to October 1914, a period of 5 years 14 days. He next served in France in the height of World War I from October 1914 until January 1919. This was for 4 years 110 days. During this time he was awarded the victory medals for his service. He was discharged on January 1919 in Étaples, France, after a total of 10 years 136 days. He did not qualify for the 6 year period in the reserve army because this fell during World War I. He did receive a pension for the 10 years 136 days already served. He re-enlisted in January 1919 in Étaples, France, under a new service number. This was because of ‘Army Order No. IV’ which was a result of the ban on recruitment following the end of the war. As his original enlistment was for a period of 12 years before the war, he had to re-enlist to distinguish him from conscripted members who joined during the war. His profession this time was listed as a Carter. This was a person with a horse and cart that transported goods to and from trains, possibly post. He continued his service in France February 1919, a period of 25 days since re-enlistment. He spent the next 1 year 21 days in Britain (may have included Ireland) from February 1919 to March 1920. He travelled to India for the second time in March 1920 by ship. He arrived in April 1920. He served there from April 1920 until December 1920 a period of 253 days. His journey home took 24 days by ship departing in December 1920 and arriving in January 1921. He finished his last 80 days of service from January 1921 until March 1921 in Britain (may have included Ireland), probably at Woolwich. This term totalled 2 years 60 days and completed 12 years 196 days of service at which point he left the army. Two character references exist for Leo. ‘Postman before enlistment. Then became manager of horses. Can ride and drive. Has been employed as an officer servant for six months and also has done a little clerical work (12 months). A smart intelligent man’ Woolwich, March 1921. ‘His character during this period has been assessed as very good, honest, sober and hardworking’ Woolwich, March 1921. Leo brought and sent home some items which are still in the possession of his son. He spent his years after the war working for An Post in Dublin. He married and had four children. During WW2 he served in a local response group and was involved in the response to the bombings in Dublin in January 1941. Leo died tragically in 1970 in Dublin at the age of 82. || || Artillery || 19.0759837,72.87765590000003 || Leo Byrne my great Grandfather || Bombay & Jumbbulpore || Middle East || Photograph || This picture was taken by Laurie's Art Studio Bombay & Jubbulpore. It is fixed onto thick card. On the reverse of the picture written in Leo's handwriting is: From Brother Leo to Sister Lillie with best Respects. It was sent back to his sister Lillie Donaldson in Dublin along with other keepsakes. || Leo Byrne || Front || || Photograph || Unsure of the photos location. Uniform tells of his work with the horses. || || Woolwich, England || Character Reference for Leo Byrne on Discharge || Official document || Recruitment and Conscription || 51.490302,0.0658730000000105 || Front || || Official document || Character Reference for Leo Byrne || Back || Character Reference for Leo Byrne on Discharge || 51.490302,0.0658730000000105 || Leo Byrne || woolwich, England || || Music || Unsure of origin or date. Contains 68 Irish songs from both sides of the border divided into 4 sections 1) Just to remine you who we are. 2) Let's have a wee chorus with our beer (or vino). 3) Patriotic. If you belong to one side of the fence, disregard the other. 4) Sentimental. If you like tears with your beer try these. || Royal Irish Fusiliers: Irish Song Book || || Luxembourg || Postcard || Photohill series 2 snapshorts of Luxembourg with an address of E. A. Schaack, 146 Boulevard de la Petrusse, Luxembourg. This small collection of postcard style snapshots came from Leo Byrne during his time served in France. || Snapshots from Luxembourg || 49.61162100000001,6.131934600000022 || Western Front || || Snapshots from Luxembourg || Postcard || see image 1 || Front || || see image 1 || Postcard || Back || Snapshots from Luxembourg || || 1914 Star awarded to Leo Byrne || 46.227638,2.213749000000007 || Western Front || The 1914 star part of the victory medal collection. This is the only medal of this collection still in family hands. || Front || Artillery || Medal || || Medal || Western Front || see image 1 || 1914 star awarded to Leo Byrne || Front || || Gusto, France || Recreational Training Medal || Medal || Western Front || Back || This British Expeditionary Force, Recreational Training Medal was awarded to Leo Byrne. The details on the Medal are: 10 Con. Depot. France. Gusto.