A Prussian "von" career through Pictures

[matt johnson]

Here is a small photo group that I have had for a few years. I finally got around to making some scans and wanted to post them.


Little Emmery von Lorck was caught up in the patriotic spirt of the Franco-Prussian war. His dad probably thought it would be a good idea for little Emmery to get used to posing for photographs wearing a pickelhaube and sword.

[matt johnson]

In time, Emmery grew up like a good "von" and became an officer in daddy's footsteps. He appears to be a little more comfortable in his attire than in his childhood photo.

[matt johnson]

Here is the last photo. Young Emmery has grown up and even grown a handlebar and become an adjutant on someone's staff. Unfortunately, his regiment is unknown. From the back of the photo, it appears that Emmery finished his career by dying in the war, probably a fitting way for a "von" to end a lifetime of wearing a pickelhaube and sword.

[matt johnson]

Another von Lorck

This is Charly von Lorck, probably Emmery's father. He managed to get the household pet to pose in this photo.

Hope you guys have enjoyed these images from the von Lorck family album!

Matt

[Rick Research]

Wonderful group, Matt!

Prussian Garde-Husaren Regiment Lieutenant Karl Lorck was Emmery's and Charly's father, ennobled as "von Lorck" in 1861. The family crest is described as 3 "natural" Lorcks-- "Norwegian waterfowl."

Charly von Lorck was born in Berlin 19 March 1862. I'll get earlier careers on both ODDLY named brothers, but in 1914 he was charakterisiert Oberstleutnant zur Disposition (1.10.13) on staff of Landwehr Bezirk Hagen, holder of the Prussian Red Eagle Order 4th Class, XXV Years Long Service Cross, and 1897 Centenary Medal. (He was a Major in Inf Rgt 56 in 1908). He was killed in action 7 December 1914 on the regimental staff of Reserve Inf Rgt 220 at Rzegocina near Cracow, leaving widow Margarete von Puttkamer and daughters Glenny and Ingeborg.

Emmery von Lorck was born 30 September 1866 in Berlin. In 1914 he was a charakterisiert Major zD (1.10.12) in charge of Reporting Office Schleiz under Landwehrbezirk Kommando Gera, holding Prussian Red Eagle Order 4th Class, XXV Years Service Cross, 1897 Centenary Medal, Reuss (Younger Line) Honor Cross 3rd Class with Crown, and Saxe-Ernestine House Order-Knight 1st Class.

He went into the field as a battalion commander in Res Inf Rgt 332, then was on the Military Hospital Commission in Fritzlar, and finally on the Staff of landwehrbezirks Kommando Gera, where he died 15 December 1916 of exertions related to war service. He left his widow Helene von Rumohr, eldest son Willibald (born 25.6.1891 Schleswig, law student, died of illness in Marburg an der Lahn 19.4.1918 having served as a War Volunteer in Jäger Baon 4), 2nd son Karl, Leutnant dR survived war, and two daughters--

NORA, and Gerda.

Sources:

Rank Lists, German Orders Almanac, 1921 "Helden-Gedenkmappe."

[Rick Research]

Both were originally commissioned in Schleswig Inf Rgt 84: in 1890 Charly was detached as an instructor at the Haupt-Kadetten-Anstalt, Berlin-Lichterfelde.

Charly was Hauptmann 1.9.1896 U2u, from at least 1902 to 1908 as chief of 7th Company/ Inf Rgt 56. He had only the 1897 Medal in 1902.

Emmery was Hauptmann 14.9.00 Ff, in 1902 chief of 6th Co./Inf Rgt 84, but by 1907 zD at Schleiz/Gera (no awards but the 1897 Medal then-- he did FANTASTIC for a "part timer"!!!) where he still was in 1914.

Prussian Rank Lists did not print commission dates for ranks below Major until 1900.

[matt johnson]

Rick,
Thanks for the thorough information on the von Lorck brothers. I'm amazed to find out that they both did so well in their careers. As for their names, they definitly seem to have had some Anglo influence in the family. After all, names like Willibald cannot be too common!

Thanks again,
Matt

[Klaus O.]

Rick,

Emmery's medals are very interesting:

- fürstliches reussisches Ehrenkreuz, 3. Kl. mit Krone.

Was this medal just "silber vergoldet" in that particular class? Do you know the conditions to receive this award? I guess that not many have been awarded, since this state was very tiny.

here's the flag of this German principality



see the map on the following link:

http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/de(th_o.html

- herzoglich Sachsen-Ernestistinischer Hausorden, RK 1. Klasse

Do you know if he received this order during the war? Wow! I would have liked to see his medal bar. It's very rare to find a medal bar with Reuss' decoration. I have never seen one in person during my still short lived life.

I am really beginning to get hooked by these Saxe orders and the history of such little duchies and principality. It makes a lot of fun to research on this stuff. Very interesting!

Reuss' history (taken from Köbler, Historisches Lexikon der deutschen Länder ):

Reuss was a short-lived free-state, which existed from April 17, 1919 until April 1st, 1920, when it was incorporated into Thüringen.

The arms show the old lion of Reuss, combined with the canting crane of the county Kranichfeld (crane=Kranich). The county Kranichfeld never was part of Reuss however, it was claimed by the Dukes of Reuss and thus placed in their arms.

The history of the area is very complicated. The original County Reuss was divided in many smaller states and in 1807 there were still 5 states which joined the new Rheinish Union (a predecessor of the later German Empire), namely : Reuss-Gera, Reuss-Schleiz (principality), Reuss-Lobenstein (principality), Reuss-Ebersdorf (county) and Reuss-Greiz (principality).

The dynasty ruling Reuss-Gera became extinct in the early 19th century and the territory was ruled jointly by R-Schleiz, R-Lobenstein and R-Ebersdorf. In 1815 both Reuss-Greiz and the four other states combined each got a seat in the new German parliament. Reuss-Greiz became known as Reuss ältere Linie (Reuss older branch), the other four as Reuss jüngere Linie (younger branch). Between 1824 and 1848 the four states in the Reuss-j.L. were further united to a single principality.

In 1908 Heinrich XXVII of Reuss-j.L. became acting ruler in the other principality, as Heinrich XXIV of Reuss-ä.L. became insane. In 1913 Heinrich XXVII officially became ruler in both states, he abdicated in 1918. In 1919 the two principalities were combined to the new Free State of Reuss.

In the enclosure:

- Ehrenkreuz 1. Klasse, Gold u. Emaille, Halsdekoration

[McCulloh]

Puttkamer?

Would Margarete, widow of Charlie be the Aunt of Admiral Puttkamer of 7/20/44 fame?
JeMc

[Rick Research]

Emmery apparently got the Reuss Order with Crown as a single award because of his rank--though Landwehrbezirks officers usually spent loooooooong years getting nothing at all, let alone MULTIPLE awards.

I have no wartime award rolls for Thuringia.

Couldn't find a von Putkamer link from the von P fatalities' list of next of kin.