Today on Gus’ Gear I present the uniform of Carson J. Lawrence who served with S.S.U. 615. S.S.U. 615 was a mobile army hospital that was set up to treat wounded soldiers during the spring offensive of 1919. This was the beginning of what would become the Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (M.A.S.H.). Pvt. Lawrence arrived in France just as the fighting was coming to an end. He served during the time between the Armistice and the end of WWI. His duties included transporting wounded from hospitals to trains and ships for transport home to the U.S.A.
Pvt. Lawrence’s uniform consists of an M1917 jacket with US and Medical Corps collar discs, a discharge stripe and one overseas stripe indicating he served in France for at least 6 months. On the right sleeve is an arm band of blue wool with a white star and a red circle in the center. I have not been able to pin down the exact meaning of the insignia, but as a driver he would have had an arm band that would allow him to pass unimpeded through check points. The breeches are standard issue, but his overseas cap is a French made example with a Medical Corps disc attached. The boots are not part of Pvt. Lawrence’s grouping, they were added to display the uniform and are of a pattern that were commonly used by ambulance drivers as the standard issue boots had hobnails that were a danger when entering the vehicle and hard on the floorboards.
This is a close up of the arm band, it was with the uniform when I acquired it from a respected collector/dealer. I believe it is original to his uniform, but until I can find the exact meaning of it, I can not be certain.
Carson J. Lawrence’s housewife, with spare buttons, thread, needles, pins and scissors.
Carson J. Lawrence’s personal effects bag, with spare buttons and sewing needles attached to inner flap. Fine tooth comb with Pvt. Lawrence’s initials engraved, these were useful in removing nits from the hair. His French-English dictionary, Service Testament and trench mirror in protective pouch.
An interesting haversack with Carson J. Lawrence’s initials inked on it in two places.
Wool knit cap and American made overseas cap worn by Pvt. C. J. Lawrence.
Driver’s license and pay book belonging to Pvt. Carson J. Lawrence, allowing him to drive an ambulance or truck anywhere that was controlled by the 3rd Army.
Duffel bag belonging to C. J. Lawrence.
A colorful silk scarf found with Carson J. Lawrence’s grouping. This type of scarf was favored by drivers and pilots as it was good for cleaning the goggles that they wore.
And because Joe requested it, here is a photo of an interesting flower. It is a prickly pear cactus growing not far from our house.