German document from 1915

[FrancesH]

This document was collected by 2nd Lt Tom Wilmot of the 2nd Worcestershires, probably during July 1915, when he mentions that he was 'souvenir hunting' to find items to bring home on his leave (in early August). I should be very grateful if members can tell me anything about it.

[trajan]

It is some kind of apprenticeship pass certificate - I'll try to find out more later if nobody picks up on it

[FrancesH]

Thank you Trajan. That's interesting already -- I assumed it was a military document.

[JWK]

This is to certify that blacksmith's apprentice .... Hansen, after 3 years of learning the trade, has passed the final examination with good results, and is as from today a journeyman

Signed Wilster [ in Schleswig-Holstein], 29th March 1914 by the examination-committee of .....

I can't read his first name, and what sort of committee it was, from this picture.

"Journeyman" was a new word for me :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journeyman

[FrancesH]

Thank you JWK! I did know what a journeyman was because the system continued in England for a surprisingly long time so I've come across it before, how interesting. Poor lad never managed to become a blacksmith, though.