My Grandpa in 1916

[Per Swenson]

[attachimg=#]

In the spirit of memorial day, my Grandfather, Giles .
American Ambulance Service, Battle of the Somme, Verdun,
and what was then called the near east, now known as Turkey.

 

[Per Swenson]

Awright,

So why the heck am I really posting a picture of Giles on a tool forum at 4:00 AM?

I wanted to see if I could imbed a link in a picture.

And by golly I can.

Per

 

[robtonya]

Great picture, and nice link feature too.

 

[Eli]

Quit fibbin', that's your high school year book photo.  ;D ;D ;D

I think you should shave the beard again. (they don't have a knee slapper smiley face) 

 

[Steveo48]

A great pic for the day, your grand pa was a good looking young man.

You musta got your looks from the other side of the family! 

Steve

 

[Fred West]

Per, just out of curiosity how old was your Grandpa in 1916? Mine was born in 1897 and he also served in WWI. Fred

 

[Per Swenson]

Fred,

I really don't know, it's amazing, particularly in America, how much generational history

is simply not passed on. Giles is my Mother's father and I almost put his last name up in this

post then I realized I would be giving away one of those really important banking questions.

But I will tell you this, its one of the most famous names in the western world.

And no, it ain't Smith. ;D

Giles also was awarded the Croix De Guerre.

For some cool stuff on the AAS look ,here

Fred I will ask her next time I see her, for both of us.

Per

 

[robtonya]

I forgot to mention before, but that was the first time I had seen your website.  Your bars are the nicest I have seen. I like the Swenson and Swenson 2007 carving. What/who did you use for that?

 

[Per Swenson]

Rob,

Except for the elk in the center of the bar,

that was hand carved by the old geezer,

all the carvings were done with the Carvewrite,

which I hasten to add is not my favorite machine for a laundry list of reasons.

Actually it's my fault for thinking a "hobby tool" would be capable of earning it's keep.

Per

 

[robtonya]

Rob,

Except for the elk in the center of the bar,

that was hand carved by the old geezer,

all the carvings were done with the Carvewrite,

which I hasten to add is not my favorite machine for a laundry list of reasons.

Actually it's my fault for thinking a "hobby tool" would be capable of earning it's keep.

Per

I was really wanting a Carvewright, but have heard mixed reviews, most of them are not good at all with the machine always breaking, and poor customer support.

 

[dirtydeeds]

per's mention of nationals getting medals from other countries shows unusual bravery on the part of the individual and to get things like the croix de guerre is exceptional

an unusual pairing of medals (but in different conflicts) from this side of the atlantic is a winner of both the victoria cross and the iron cross

the iron cross was won by the guy when it was as scarce as the victoria cross

 

[Dan Uhlir]

  Swenson in the house with links in pictures, and stuff. What's next ?
                                                                              Thanks
                                                                                  Dan

 

[Fred West]

Per, that article on the Ambulance drivers of the Amercan Field Services group was very interesting. I did not realize that so many literary figures had served with this group nor the danger that they placed themselves in. Thank you for the link. Fred

 

[dirtydeeds]

i read  a  VERY SMALL book, it was about a guy in the first world war, i cant remember what nationality he was

but he collected the wounded (for a month or so) with a donkey

awe inspiring bravery. he simply didnt give a sh1t ( or understand what he was doing) he just did it, he was killed of course

these OLD men (like my grandfather) should be celebrated (very carefully) these men would ABSOLUTLY REFUSE to be celebrated. that is bravery

my grandfather said he was a "only" a mule skinner at "the battle of the somme"

somehow, i never believed him, my guess is that per's forefathers where the same

 

[Per Swenson]

Fred,

As I understand it, the AAS was volunteer and was full of Americans

of a ..crap its hard to say this...a certain class.

Mostly Ivy league gents in search of glory and the great adventure,

same mindset as joining  POUM in Spain circa 1936.

Hemmingway made that one also, so did this Fella

who turned a much better phrase.

Per

 

[dirtydeeds]

per

i have a very gentle / careful question to ask, you talk about people of "a certain class"

what do you mean, the talk of "class"

from an americans (who clearly dont believe in the principal) seems strange to English ears

im only TRYING to understand

 

[Fred West]

Per, it really makes me wonder about myself and whether I would be able to match what Orwell or any of these other guys seemed to do so easily. Fred