My Relative's WWI UNIFORM

[Marc Chevalier]

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Relative by marriage: he (Frederick Scheidt, nicknamed "Spitz") was my great-grandmother's second husband. You can read a little about his WWI aviator experience and see his airplane photos here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=12946


Here is the jacket part of Spitz's Belgian Air Force uniform. (He was a corporal, apparently.) I also have his Sam Browne belt in storage somewhere. The jacket was made for him in London in 1917. The material is olive green wool whipcord, and the lining is taupe cotton. The first image below is a 1917 photo of Spitz wearing the jacket.


I'm seriously thinking about selling the jacket. I have no genetic or sentimental attachment to Spitz. Seems to me that a World War I Belgian Air Force uniform must be pretty rare indeed.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

If anyone can identify the winged scarab insignia in the photo above, I'd be very grateful!

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[Maj.Nick Danger]

Very cool, and in excellent condition considering it's age. The wing pin on the breast is unique in the fact that it is in the form of a scarab, which gives it an Egyptian look. I've never seen pilot's wings like those ever before. I imagine those alone are quite rare. Should be of great interest to collectors in Europe, and especially, of course, Belgium.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Just found out that the scarab device is a unit badge. Following links as of this post. Maybe I'll find something?

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Can't wait to hear about it!

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[Maj.Nick Danger]

Found this link, which looks promising.

http://www.theaerodrome.com/services/belgium/

But other than this,...nothing but dead ends. There is no mention of the scarab device for any squadron listed here, which could mean it is an insignia of another kind. Unit citation? Special unit? Got to go out now so I can't investigate further tonight, sorry. But the scarab, I believe represents rebirth or eternal life in Egyptian mythology. That still is a mystery though,....[huh]

 

[Mojave Jack]

Marc, I'm working with some of the folks from Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium on another project, so I sent your photos along. Hendrikx, one of the museum employees, identified some of Scheidt's decorations.

- The Order of Leopold I
- The Order of Leopold II
- The Order of the Crown
- The War Cross 1914-1918
- The IJzer Medal/The IJzer Cross
- The War Commemorative Medal 1914-1918
- The Victory Medal 1914-1918
- The Commemorative Medal for the Reign of King Albert I (Scroll down towards the bottom of the page).

He wasn't sure about the first two medals in the second row, the white colored ribbon and the blue/green ribbon. The scarab badge, too, remains a mystery. Hendrikx is still researching that, however, so I may have some more info for you.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

You, Mojave Jack, deserve your own decoration (Belgian or not) for such a valuable and considerate post! Thank you so much, amigo!!! :eusa_clap

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[Absinthe_1900]

These guys might like to see the photos.

http://www.airmuseum.be/

http://www.airmuseum.be/contact.php

 

[Mojave Jack]

You, Mojave Jack, deserve your own decoration (Belgian or not) for such a valuable and considerate post! Thank you so much, amigo!!! :eusa_clap

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Why, thank you, sir! Always a pleasure to be of assistance to a gentleman and a friend!

 

[Lincsong]

Mark, what size is that uniform?[huh]

 

[pablocham]

Probably a red herring, but there is this aviation related winged scarab: http://www.cjbalm.com/auto-aero/aitem52.htm

 

[Marc Chevalier]

Mark, what size is that uniform?[huh]

It's about a size 37 short.


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[Happy Stroller]

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Relative by marriage: he (Frederick Scheidt, nicknamed "Spitz") was my great-grandmother's second husband. You can read a little about his WWI aviator experience and see his airplane photos here: http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=12946
:
I'm seriously thinking about selling the jacket. I have no genetic or sentimental attachment to Spitz. Seems to me that a World War I Belgian Air Force uniform must be pretty rare indeed.
:

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You could say anything Belgian would be quite rare for most folks surfing the Net!

Although most historians laugh at the Maginot Line, apparently it would have played its role pretty well, save for the fact the Belgians considered it an act of war were the French to strengthen that part of the ML along the Franco-Belgian border. As a result, when the Belgians let the Germans in, the Germans managed to enter France through the Belgian border. Hope these historical tit-bits are of some interest to you folks.

 

[Maj.Nick Danger]

Another clue?

Or does this obfuscate things further? [huh]
I just stumbled upon this image of a winged scarab on ebay,...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Egyptian-SCARAB-Wall-Art-Sculpture-Home-Decor_W0QQitemZ270049362058QQihZ017QQcategoryZ38238QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem