Armistice Day and Railroad Veterans

[Earl Leavitt]

 A quick refresher for younger museum members, November 11th, Veterans Day used to be known as Armistice Day, as it was the day in 1918 when World War One hostilities came to an end. The United States issued a commemorative medal to all armed forces members known as the Victory medal. Most states and many cities also honored their local Vets.  The railroad brotherhoods honored their members as well. Shown in the photo, on your left is the medal awarded by the Grand Lodge of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers. Next, the award given out by the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. These were serial numbered and the one shown bears the number 14,190. The large badge was worn overseas by trainmen assigned to the short lived AEF Railroad Dept. that operated before the Quartermaster Dept. got it's act together.  The backdrop photo shows a pair of 2-6-2T's double heading a 2 foot gage supply train headed for the Front. 

[Jeff Schumaker]

Earl,

That's some interesting history and a neat photo. Several years ago, I was given a book entitled, Regimental Biography of the Twenty-First Engineers Light Railway A-E-F. It is filled with many photos of the equipment, histories of the various companies, and stories from some of the men who served in the 21st Engineers. There is a map showing all of the 60 cm railways constructed by the 21st Engineers, as well as by the French.

Jeff

[Earl Leavitt]

 When we entered the War, we asked our new allies what they needed the most right away. The answer was skilled railway engineer units to supply the front lines. The Corps of Engineers was at a loss, but the idea hit someone to recruit volunteer units from American railroads. The Army slashed away all the formal red tape and asked the railroads to help. The first 9 units formed were all regional, with the 14th Regiment Light Railway Engineers being nearly all New England men. A company was recruited from each railroad and railroad superintendents became officers overnight! Company "C" was made up of all Maine Central men and by July,1917 they were overseas. They were the first American unit to show the flag in a London parade and boost the morale of the English. They then went into service on the Western Front in support of the British, there being no American presence yet.
    The Maine Central men were the very first Americans to serve overseas in WW1. They were the first American unit to take casualties to include men killed in action. While with the British they found themselves often using a rifle as much as a lining bar or coal scoop. Later they would finally transfer to the new American sector amid much British praise. The insignia they adopted was a winged steel wheel amidst the red, white and blue.
 Shown are the medals and reunion button of Joseph Malia, an MEC engineer from Portland. Bless 'em all.

[Bill Sample]

Thank you for sharing that World War I history, Earl.  Both of my grandfathers served in WWI, but neither in railway service.  My father's father served as a Lt in the Army, 2nd Infanrtry Division and was in combat so he probably knew about them.