Ha, Ha! I got one too!

[stogieman]

That's what the look on the face of this happy camper says to me! Note this is a Non-Combattant EK2!

[Eric Gaumann]

A Navy man, too. Why no lace on his cuffs?
He's got a Black Eagle Order on the left, and a KW1 centenary medal on the right. What's in-between? Is one a colonial medal?

[Rick Research]

He is a Naval Construction Beamter, either Shipbuilding or Machine Construction. Alas, there are half a dozen officials he COULD have been. The Southwest Africa 1904-06 and China 1900-01 Medals are doubtless the steel "for merit in dispatching the expeditions" awards. Beamten and career NCOs/POs only became eligible for the XXV Years Long Service Cross in 1914, but the war interrupted bestowals and none were actually handed out to those categories until after the war. That's a RED Eagle Order 4th Class.

He looks astonishingly like a tipsy young Captain Kangaroo.

Photo was taken in Kiel-- but 4 of the 6 possibles worked there. Prussian and naval Rank Lists did not list campaign or commemorative awards!

[Daniel Krause]

Hi Stogie,

nice and clear picture!
Typical awards for a Beamten! Rank looks like a Korvettenkapitän (Lt.Cmdr) equivalent.

Best regards

Daniel

[Rick Research]

Thank you! I did the scan for our scanner-challenged buddy Stogie-Rick.

There is SOMETHING on the center of his shoulder board, but I cannot make it out at all-- whether it is some sort of branch device, or a rank pip. Maybe Glenn can find us an insignia book plate showing insignia for these Construction types?

[Eric Gaumann]

That's a heck-uv-a 'do he's got. You think that's real or a rug?

[Glenn2438]

Naval Officials Shoulder Insignia

The shoulder board insignia was standard for all naval officials and is shown here:

Glenn

[admcdonald]

He's not tipsy,just smug.

[Rick Research]

Thanks Glenn-- that clarifies the outline angles of his shoulder board blip!

[Daniel Krause]

Thank You very much Glenn,

interesting information!

Best regards

Daniel

[Glenn2438]

Rick,

something was nagging me about this official. He cannot be a Shipbuilding or Machine Construction official due to the lack of silver rank rings on the sleeve. Shipbuilding and Machine Construction officials were the only group of naval Beamten besides the Zalhmeister who wore sleeve rank badges. They were termed "Beamten mit einem bestimmten militärischen Rang", ie officials with a determined military rank. Consequently these officials are listed in the naval rangliste in the seniority lists while others are not.

I think our chap is therefore probably a senior port construction official.

Glenn

[Rick Research]

Ahhhhhh, I thought so... I thought I remembered seeing a photo someplace "mit Streifen." The critters you mention aren't listed in the Ranglisten, nor are the more "civilian" types of Naval Ministry officials.

[stogieman]

Wow!

Our research team is now global! Thanks Glen! Thanks Rick! Glen, if you ever spot another copy of that Saxon Gold St. Henry Medal Winners Book, please just grab it. I'll pay the price. I have been unable to find one anywhere.

[Rick Research]

Just revisiting this, since Herr "I am so very very happy" has come to live at my house.

There were four Hafenbau possibles, but one was an ancient WW2 "admiral equivalent" and that's not his picklepuss face.

That leaves

Hafenbaurat Ludwig Vogeler

Hafenbaurat Brune

and

Hafenbaurat Lt dL Zennig

as possibles, none in the Orders Almanac, so no way to tell who had the presumably steel colonial medals.

I don't think he can have been a naval lawyer, since if I recall they had RED capbands and I don't think would have had this epaulette insignia?

[Glenn2438]

Crimson

Rick,

the naval justice officials did have a crimson capband plus a crimson collar on the frock coat but they did have the standard naval officials epaulette insignia.

Glenn