| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme, Bray Proyart Area, Morcourt |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM00913 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Uniform |
| Physical description | Wool |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: Western Front 1918: Villers Bretonneaux |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | c. 1914-18 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Epaulette: 13th Infantry Regiment, German Army
Description
German Army 13th Infantry Regiment grey woollen epaulette in very good condition. Beige coloured cotton piping is sewn along both of the longitudinal sides and the end that is innermost to the wearer. Aligned with the shoulder seam end of the strap is '13', which has been embroidered in red wool.
History / Summary
This shoulder strap was taken from a captured infantryman from the German 13th Infantry Regiment in the Morcourt Valley, on 8 August 1918 by Private Ryan, 13 Battalion AIF.
When the 13th Battalion were advancing towards Mericourt on the 8 August 1918, surrendering German soldiers began to appear in increasing numbers. Noticing that some were members of the 13th Infantry Regiment German Army, Private Ryan cut the shoulder strap from the tunic of one as a souvenir of the meeting of the two '13's.