Defeating the Hun

Cpl. Edington's Doughboy Buddies

This is a photo post card of Cpl. Edington taken as the date shows at the bottom July, 20, 1918. This was in Mehun-sur-Yevre France and I have 3 of these prints one as this one is with the date and one with Mehun-sur-Yevre on the front of it and the last one had a wine recipe on the back side. At Mehun the AEF had it's largest Ordnance Repair Shops.

There were several photos of other Doughboys with the items Grandpa left me. (see the photos at the bottom of this page) Among these were these photos some identified and some not. When I obtained the passenger list of the USS Henry R. Mallory and compared it to the passenger list from the USS Radnor these names appeared on both lists. It is likely that these persons were kept together during there time in France. I have researched each and listed there respective duties below. Some of the unidentified photos may be some of these soldiers. All these listed men sailed to France with the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base aboard the Transport Henry R. Mallory and returned to the States with the 26th Ordnance Casual Company abroad the Transport USS Radnor .

Name / Service number
Biggar, John H. 2172963 Unable to locate information on this person
Edington, Guy J. 2171636
Fuller, Harry J. 2171976 Unable to locate information on this person
Glasser, George E. 2171411 Unable to locate information on this person
Murphy, Vincent 2171703 Unable to locate information on this person
Schaldenbrand, Lawrence 2171752 See photo below.
Green, William A. 2171971 Unable to locate information on this person

Bell, John H. 2171594
Mr. Bell entered the National Army December 7, 1917 at Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio. He was 24 years old when he was inducted into the service and was a resident of 456 Tyler Street. Gary, Indiana. He was in the 163rd Depot Brigade at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Transferred to Co. "B" 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base at Camp Merritt, New Jersey and sailed to France with the Battalion aboard the USS Henry R Mallory March 14, 1918. July 31, 1918 to August 12, 1918 was attached to Supply Co. 55th Regiment C.A.C. (this was a regiment of the 31st Brigade C.A.C. and used the 155 mm GPF guns). August 13 to discharge was with the 3rd Co. Ordnance Repair Shop Detachment. He sailed home with the 26th Ordnance Casual Co. on May 10th, 1919 and mustered out of the Army on 6th June, 1919. He made Pvt. 1st Class on 1 November, 1918 and Corp. 7 November, 1918. Was promoted to Sgt. on April 8, 1919.

Stears, Louis Albert. 2171777
Was born May 7th, 1889 in Schoolcraft, Michigan to Louis N. Stears and Nettie Longfellow Stears. His occupation previously and after the war was a toolmaker. Louis A. Stears was married to Zola Brown in Detroit Michigan on May 21st, 1909. Louis A. Stears entered the Army December 11th, 1917 at Columbus Barracks, Ohio into the Ordnance Department. Sailed to France aboard the transport USS Henry R. Mallory with the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base Co. "C". Arrived Bordeaux, France March 27th, 1918. Sailed for home abroad the USS Radnor with the 26th Co. Ordnance Casual Company May 10th, 1919. Arrived in United States May 24th, 1919 at Pier #4 Bush Terminal at 10:25 am Was discharged from the Army June 5th, 1919.


Prain, Anthony R. 2171724
Born May 16th, 1895 Detroit, Michigan to Anthony Prain and Elizabeth Hildebrande Prain both of Detroit Michigan. His occupation previous to entering the Army was a Machinist at the Gray Motor Company. After the War Prian returned to his former employer at the Gray Motor Co. Prain entered the Army at Columbus Barracks in Ohio December 13th, 1917 as a private. He was transferred to Camp Grant, Illinois December 23rd, 1917 into Company #10 Ordnance Department. Was moved to Camp Dodge Iowa February 12th, 1918. Moved to Camp Merritt, New Jersey on March 6th, 1918 with Co. "B" 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base. Sailed to France aboard the transport USS Henry R. Mallory with the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base. Arrived Bordeaux, France March 27th, 1918. Camp Ganacart, France March 28th, 1918 and then Camp Williams. Moved to the Advanced Ordnance Depot #1 April 5th, 1918. Detached Service to the British Arsenal April 20th, 1918. Moved to Limoges, France May 20th, 1918. Sailed for home abroad the USS Radnor with the 26th Co. Ordnance Casual Company May 10th, 1919. Arrived in United States May 24th, 1919 at Pier #4 Bush Terminal at 10:25 am Was discharged from the Army.

Koehler, Walter H. 2172058
Mr. Koehler was born June 25, 1895 at Novi, Michigan. His father was Alvin Koehler, mother unknown. His stated occupation before and after the war was Motor Mechanic. He entered the Army at Camp Grant, IL December 25, 1917. At Camp Grant Koehler was a private in the 161st Depot Brigade. Was transferred to the 163rd Depot Brigade at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Transferred to the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base at Camp Merritt New Jersey and sailed on the Henry R. Mallory 14 March, 1918 to France. While in France he was attached to the 44th Regiment C.A.C. Sailed for home abroad the USS Radnor with the 26th Co. Ordnance Casual Company May 10th, 1919. Arrived in United States May 24th, 1919 at Pier #4 Bush Terminal at 10:25 am Was discharged from the Army on June 5th, 1919 at Camp Custer, Michigan.

Wismer, Arthur 2172052
The only information I could locate on him was that he entered the army at Camp Grant IL. Was in the 161st Depot Brigade 10th Company. His address was given as 100 Pine St. Detroit, Michigan. As the passenger manifests show he did sail to France with the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base on March 14, 1918 aboard the USS Henry R. Mallory. Returned home with the 26th Co. Ordnance Casual Company May 10th, 1919. Arrived in United States May 24th, 1919 at Pier #4 Bush Terminal at 10:25 am

McAdams, Gordon A. 2171901
He was born June 22, 1894 in Superior, Wisconsin to James A McAdams and Emma McAdams both of Detroit, Michigan. Gordon McAdams was a toolmaker before the war and went back to this occupation after returning mustering out of the Army. He entered the Army at Columbus Barracks in Columbus, Ohio December, 1917. He was a Pvt. in the 2nd Co. 161st Depot Brigade. Transferred to Camp Grant, IL Then to Camp Dodge, Iowa. Was transferred to Camp Merritt, New Jersey with 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base. Sailed to France aboard the transport USS Henry R. Mallory with the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base. Arrived Bordeaux, France March 27th, 1918. He was detached to the British Army Ordnance Corps. Sailed for home abroad the USS Radnor with the 26th Co. Ordnance Casual Company May 10th, 1919. Arrived in United States May 24th, 1919 at Pier #4 Bush Terminal at 10:25 am Was discharged from the Army on 5 June, 1919.


Left side photo is unidentified. Both have Ordnance pins and "22" pins on their hats. The photo on the right is also unidentified. The only thing that can be said about these is the soldier with the hat on is a corporal. At the right end of the cot can be seen what looks to be "War Souvenirs". When viewed under high resolution they seem to be what looks like German Bayonets wrapped up.


The photo on the left shows Cpl. Edington on the left, and an unidentified man on the right. This was possibly taken at the Ordnance Repair Shops at Mehun-sur-Yevre France.The photo on the right shows three men. The man on the left with the artillery sweater on is unidentified next to him in the center is my grandfather Cpl. Guy Edington and next to him on the right is the same unknown man in the photo on the left. This photo must have been taken the same day as the photo on the left as the two on the right are dresses the same in both photos. Again I'm assuming that this is at the repair shops at Mehune-sur-Yevre France.

This photo also contains the same persons as the above two photos and are of the same locale as the previous two photos. The men are standing on what looks to be a Holt 75 h.p. tractor used to pull the 155mm GPF guns. One can be seen at the right of this photo. Cpl. Edington can be seen in the front row 4th man in from the left side. Note that in the forground can be seen the shadow of the person taking this photo.

Another unidentified photo. The gun has been Identified as that of a 8" British Howitzer. Some Coast Artillery Regiments used the 8" gun and this is mostlikely one of these guns. An American C.A.C. Regiment of 8" guns was stationed at Limoges, France which was not too far from Clearmont-Ferrand, France. It is probable that this is Limoges as it was known that Cpl. Edington was in Limoges at least once or twice. He may have taken this photo and may have known someone on this gun crew, possibly Anthony Prain who was stationed at Limoges. Cpl. Edington had boughten a Silver Camio ring which he wore until he died in 1981. This ring I still have today. In the front row you can see that the 3rd man from the left is wearing a gas mask.


Both of these photos are unidentified. The photo on the right shows a group of men and this maybe possible that this is Mehun-sur-Yevre or at Clearmont-Ferrand, France.


The above photo is identified as Jack Berry. Jack was not among those listed in the 26th Ordnance Casual Co. and also was not among the names listed in the 1st Battalion American Ordnance base.The photo shows Jack Berry in uniform and on his left collar and left side of his hat is the Ordnance pin. So he must have been in the Ordnance department. Jack Berry shows one OSS (over seas service) Chevron on his uniform.

Cpl. Edington and Jack Berry must have been close friends while in France as Jack Berry wrote Cpl. Edington this post card after their return and Mustering out of the Army. The post card is of the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago IL. I'm assuming that is where Jack Berry was living in August of 1919. The letter reads:

"Dear Pal,
Just a line to the old boy to see if you are still alive. I hope you are well how is the business running, good I hope. Drop me a line soon. as ever your Pal.
Jack Barry"

Dated Aug. 6th, 1919



Historical profile for
Lawrence A. Schaldenbrand
Service Number 2171752

Lawrence Albert Schaldenbrand was born August 15, 1894 in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to Joseph Schaldenbrand and Anna (Becker) Schaldenbrand. At the time of the First World War Lawrence Schaldenbrand made his home at 272 Hart Ave., Detroit Michigan, Wayne County. His occupation before entering the Army was a Machinist with the Hudson Motor Car Company. After discharge Lawrence continued working in the automotive field as a Machinist with the Continental Motor Corp.

Upon entering into the U.S. Army Lawrence was 23 years and 4 months old and reported to Columbus Barracks, Ohio on December 12, 1917 with the rank of Private in a Casual Company. He was then moved to Camp Grant Illinois and was assigned to the 163rd Depot Brigade Company 1. His next camp was Camp Dodge, Iowa and was assigned to the 1st Battalion 163rd Depot Brigade.

Lawrence was then assigned to the American Ordnance Base Depot, France (A. O. B. D. F.) on February 12th, 1918. This unit was part of the troops that were to be stationed at the Ordnance Repair Shops at Mehun-ser-Yevre, France. These men were all in the Army Ordnance Department. The A. O. B. D. F. was being assembled at Camp Merritt, New Jersey in preparation to sailing to France.

While at Camp Merritt, NJ Lawrence must have met my grandfather, Guy Joseph Edington, 2171636 also assigned to the A. O. B. D. F. The photos that my grandfather left me contained a photo of Lawrence with his name on the back. I do know that Guy and Lawrence did sail on the same ship as both of their names appear on the ships passenger manifest and may have been together for some time while at Mehun, France. They did not come back together as Lawrence came back to the states before my grandfather did.

Both Lawrence and my grandfather were assigned to the 1st Battalion American Ordnance Base Depot, Company B. This unit sailed from Hoboken, NJ on March 14th, 1918 aboard the USS Henry R. Mallory a troop transport. And arrived Bordeaux, France March 27th, 1918.

While in France Lawrence duties were listed as "Aircraft Armament". Lawrence returned from France on April 18, 1919 and arrived in the States on 27th April 1919. He was discharged from the Army as a Private on May 17th, 1919 at Camp Custer Michigan.

I was contacted by Peter Schaldenbrand of Plymouth, Michigan who is a relative of Lawrence Schaldenbrand about the above two photos. He gave me much information on Lawrence and below is what he had on him:

4th US generation: Lawrence Albert Schaldenbrand & Margaret Virginia Soulliere, Burg 77
3rd US generation: Joseph Schaldenbrand and Anna Barbara Becker, Burg 15
2nd US generation: Joseph Schaldenbrand and Margaret Hartmann, Burg 2
1st US generation: (Franz) Josef Schaltenbrand & Maria Anna Oberlin, Burg 1
of the Schaltenbrand family from Burg im Leimental, Bern, Switzerland that settled in Detroit, MI

Lawrence Albert SCHALDENBRAND
born 15 Aug 1894 Mt. Clemens, Macomb County, Michigan
bapt. 19 Aug 1894 St. Peter RC Church of Mt. Clemens by Rev. J.A. VanHoomissen
godchild of Albert Schaldenbrand and Elizabeth Becker
died 03 Jun 1958 Largo, Pinellar County, Flordia
intr. ... ... ... Largo Cemetery, Pinellas County, Flordia
son of Joseph and Anna Barbara (BECKER) SCHALDENBRAND
sibling of Joseph born 1891, Theodore born 1892 and Charles born 1901

& Lawrence married 1st ...
Margaret Virginia SOULLIERE
born 07 Feb 1894 Grosse Pointe Farms, Wayne County, Michigan
died 01 Mar 1944 Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan
daughter Alexander and Cavillia (PELTKE/Peltins) SOULLIERE

& Lawrence married 2nd ...
Theresa Mulchay
born in Dec 1895 ...
died 17 Mar 1958 Largo, Pinellar County, Florida
intr. ... ... ... Largo Cemetery, Pinellas County, Flordia
daughter of Michael and Catherine (Marshall) Mulchay

1910 or about Lawrence and Margaret were married.
1920 census: Margaret Schaldenbrand 26, divorced resided 21st ward Detroit, Michigan + 1 child.
1932 Oct 29, Lawrence and Theresa were married at St. Rose RC Church in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI in the presence of Edward Mulchay and Mary Habor by Rev. Victor O'Loring.

Children of Lawrence Albert & Margaret Virginia (SOULLIERE) SCHALDENBRAND
i. Lawrence Albert SCHALDENBRAND
born 18 Jun 1912 Detroit, Wayne Co., Michigan
marr.22 Aug 1934 Elizabeth Helena JENKINS
Ch: William Schaldenbrand who is still living.

©2002 Joe Hartwell. Date this page was last updated 6/23/07

If you have research comments or additional information on this page e-mail them to: Joe Hartwell

[Site Map]  •  [Sign the Guest Book]