WWI US Identified Grouping Corporal Rupert W Williamson
Item #: WR323
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This is a small grouping of an identified Corporal of the Third Army from World War I. The items are identified to a Corporal Rupert William Williamson. Williamson was from Filer, Idaho and was already a member of the Idaho National Guard when the United States started sending troops overseas. Corporal Williamson was a member of D Company, 2nd Idaho Infantry Regiment. Williamson was part of the 1800 soldiers from the 2nd Idaho to serve on the 1916 Mexican Border Expedition. They arrived in Nogales, Arizona on 12 July, 1916 to begin their mission to patrol the Arizona Mexican border. Corporal Williamson and his unit conducted outpost patrols in Arizona until they received orders on 8 December, 1916 to muster out. The 2nd Idaho Infantry Regiment returned to Boise, Idaho on 23 Dec, 1916, and the mustering out was completed on 26 January, 1917. The unit was reactivated on 25 March, 1917 for active service. On 21 September, 1917, the 2nd Idaho boarded trains bound for Camp Greene, North Carolina. The SS Lapland's manifest shows Corporal Williamson, now with Headquarters Company, 146th Field Artillery, departing New York harbor on 24 December, 1917, bound for France. Corporal Williamson became a part of the occupation forces of Germany, and remained overseas until 3 June, 1919. He then boarded the USS Peerless, headed for the New York harbor once again. The ship arrived on 15 June, 1919 and Corporal Williamson was separated from active duty at Camp Merritt. This grouping is made up of his Model 1917 winter service coat and trousers, overseas cap with artillery insignia, Model 1917 helmet, a photograph of Williamson in uniform, his set of puttees, a copy of General Order No 38-A signed by Williamson, his having kit, and four felt pennants he picked up during his time in service. The 1917 tunic is a high quality wool material. It features the four pocket design with epaulets. The five button coat has the rimmed US eagle buttons, with six smaller buttons of the same type for the pockets and epaulets. The left sleeve has a bullion 3rd Army patch, discharge strip and three bullion overseas strips sewn on it, indicating 18 months of overseas service. The right sleeve has the chevrons of a Corporal sewn on it. The crossed cannons of the artillery branch of service and a US disk adorn the collar. Williamson printed his name in the collar of his tunic. His Mexican Border service ribbon is pinned above his right breast pocket. The overseas cap is made by G Spalding & Bros from New York. It also has an artillery disk, and Williamson's name neatly printed inside. The 1917 American made helmet is complete with liner and chinstrap. Again, Corporal neatly printed his name and unit on the outside of his chinstrap. The blue pillow cover and Mexican Border Service pennant were no doubt picked up at Camp Little in Nogales, Arizona during his time there with the 2nd Idaho Infantry. The Camp Greene pennant was purchased while training up for overseas deployment in North Carolina, and the other pennant is just plain patriotic! as with most of his other items, Williamson put his name and unit on the pennants as well. This is a great collection of items belonging to a young man from Idaho that began serving his country in his early 20's and living to the ripe old age of 83, passing away on the 4th of July, 1976, our countries Bicentennial!
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