Feuerwehrmann Kurt Gregor

[luftkrieg]

Dear Friends,

I would like to share this small group of items with you. I was fortunate to purchase this group from the veteran's son-in-law. He was very kind to give me some more information. My thanks to Rüdiger for translating the emails pertaining to this group.

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Feuerwehrmann Kurt Gregor

Born: 14.11.1923 (Ortelsburg/Ostpreußen)
Died: 03.09.2001

Gregor was a fire fighter when he was moved to the Wehrmacht. At the age of 18 he was sent home as a 'war disabled' person (Note Wound Badge in Gold!) in 1941.

Before his injury he served as part of the 11. Ostpreußische Infanteriedivision, deployed in Russia, (calling themselves "Ortelsburger Jäger").

After a long stay in a military hospital in Niendorf/Ostsee, where he saw from his window the sinking of the hospital ship, at Neustadt/Ostsee, he was salaried with the rank of a simple fire fighter.

Kurt Gregor was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz between 1985-1990, in Kiel, for his voluntary service to the welfare of heavily war disabled persons.

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A very interesting story of a man, whose nature was to help others, and despite severe injury, continued carrying out good works in order to help others who were disabled by war.

Best regards
Pierce

[luftkrieg]

Kurt Gregor

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[luftkrieg]

Fire Decoration of Schleswig-Holstein

[Tom B]

always remember brave & good men !

It's good we should always remember men like these....Brave & good....a wonderful combination. Tom

[luftkrieg]

It's good we should always remember men like these....Brave & good....a wonderful combination. Tom

My thoughts exactly Tom.

Best regards
Pierce

[xmember]

Thanks for sharing that Pierce. A great man and it's good to know that his well earned awards are going to a great home that will be appreciated.

Regards,
rudy

[Nigel N]

Hi pierce!! Great grouping, and even better that its owner and his story are known!!
Sometimes its only the bigger groups of RK or DK winners that are attributed, and the history known, there are too many anonymous groups and pieces out there who we will never know who they belonged to!!
I guess in one way its sad that many family's sell off things like this, it is a part of their own history after all, but then we wouldn't have half as much to collect, and this group has the bonus of going to a good home, with a collector who will preserve both the group and the history of the veteran who owned it!!!
Any idea what happened to his 57 EK2 and badges Pierce? Have the family kept them, or did he not buy the full size pieces???
Anyway, thanks for sharing all this with us, and congratulations on a super group with a great history behind it!!!!!!
-Nigelp0204.gif

[Matthieu]

I can only agree with the wise words by Nigel ... it does not always have to be a DK or RK winner.
This man was clearly heavily wounded during the war but still chose to help others after the war.

And in my book ... that counts as being a hero .

[Arthur Spooner]

Very nice grouping.

Congrates!

[Seewolf]

What a wonderful grouping, Pierce

It was me a pleasure to translate the communication between you and the seller and it was very interesting for me to read the story as first one.
Don´t hesitate to ask me again because so we can keep the history of these men alive and it´s a good feeling to be part of the history keepers.

And you surely know that a Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande is not so common on ribbon bars

Great to see too that not every more modern made ribbon bar is a "seller assembled" one .... sometimes there are real treasures with a great history behind.

Well done, buddy. A great little grouping

[Skyhawk]

Great grouping and story Pierce. I know the set will be in good hands with you and not broken up. The history and the provenance far exceed the monetary value placed on this type of grouping. We should all be good stewards of these historical items and the veteran memories no matter from which country or time period they originate.

[luftkrieg]

Nigel, no idea what happened the actual medals or if there were any to being with. Unfortunately the Bundesverdienstkreuz was not in the box either.

Thank you all for your comments.

Preserving history and people's stories is a very important part of why I collect and it's great to share such pieces with like-minded people!

Best regards
Pierce

[Mike Yokum]

Very nice addition Pierce! The man was indeed a hero and your commitment to keep his history alive is very commendable.

[luftkrieg]

Thank you Mike. We are but custodians of these items and therefore should let no veteran be forgotten, no matter how big or small his contribution.

Best regards
Pierce