Soldier's English-French Conversation Book- For the man at the front.

[reluctantuncle]

Hi All,

Thought Id share some pictures of this English-French phrase book (of general and military terms). I've established the original owner was an Alfred Edward Meers (Royal Garrison Artillery, 78125) of 100 Drayton Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham (name and address written on the inside cover). (https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D4015159). Also there in 1901 census.

This makes sense as the family who gave this to me knew an Alfred Meers (presumably his son) who lived in Roscommon, Ireland and fought in WWII.

Presume these phrasebooks were fairly common, but some pretty gruesome turns of phrases here which they don't teach you in secondary school!

[charlie962]

Thanks for sharing this.

1 hour ago, reluctantuncle said:

I've established the original owner was an Alfred Edward Meers (Royal Garrison Artillery, 78125) of 100 Drayton Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham (name and address written on the inside cover).

I see from the 1911 Census for 100 Drayton Road that there is an Alfred Meers aged 28 married to an Elizabeth Eleanor Meers (aged 29, born Swansea). Married 1 year, no children.

The 1939 Register has them both still there. His DoB is given as 30/3/1883 and he's working as a Corporation Water Dept Manager.

78125 Alfred Edward Meers died in 1916 from complications of a Gunshotwound. His next of kin is given (by Pension Cards) as his mother Mrs Polly Meers, his widow Jessie having died 1917. Address 13 Ladypool Av, Birmingham.

So I think there is a problem ?

 

 

Alfred Meers married Elizabeth Elenor Anthony in 1909, registered Q2 at Aston Warwickshire

They had a son in 1912 named Alfred A Meers. The name in the book looks to me like A A Meers. Could the son have taken this book to WW2?

Alfred A Meers born 10/7/1912 and in 1939 Register a married B'ham Water Dept Inspector.

Edit- Probate 1955 Alfred Meers of 100 Drayton Rd died 16/3/55. Probate to Alfred Anthony Meers, local Govt officer

Charlie

 

PS I could not find an AA Meers with WW1 overseas service.

Edited 26 September , 2021 by charlie962

[reluctantuncle]

Ah very interesting. I wonder where AAM got the book. Maybe they were being dusted off/resold in 1939 generally.

Thanks for your help!

A

[o j kirby]

I have a copy of this book. It always falls open at the medical vocabulary pages which are well handled which offers an insight into the priorities of the owner.

[Gunner Bailey]

On 26/09/2021 at 20:38, reluctantuncle said:

Ah very interesting. I wonder where AAM got the book. Maybe they were being dusted off/resold in 1939 generally.

Thanks for your help!

A

I have seen a WW2 version. It contains phrases like "Where is the machine gun post?".

[museumtom]

I read somewhere that the soldiers loved these books as they kept dry in the pocket, so if you ever needed a sheet or two of dry paper for ablutions it was always available and dry.

[Gunner Hall]

I'd have thought that:  "une bière, s'il vous plait "   and  " ein Bier bitte"  followed by "encore" or  "nochmal"  as required,  would have been popular with the rude soldiery.