Cast Iron Mystery

[bottlebugs]

If there are any cast iron pan collectors out there you might find this interesting...
it's copy of the email inquiry I just fired off this morning to fry pan collector site.


"Hi,

I was just able to unlock WW1 service records for my grandfather and
amongst the medical records and like, I discovered that he had a
tattoo on his left hand. My Grandpa and Grandma died before I was born
and my mom and dad are gone now too, so there is no one left to
ask.

In the military records it notes the tattoo as a distinguishing mark. It was
only the three letters - GSW. I remembered seeing a silver plated sugar
bowl marked GSW amongst mom's treasures. I wondered if there was a
connection so I typed GSW into Google.

My Grandpa was a foundryman in his youth and after the war he got a job
at Beech Foundry in Ottawa. I wonder if this is the connection?

Best Regards,

Yadayadayada"

 

[102viadeluna]

GSW could be "Gun Shot Wound, Left Hand."

 

[bottlebugs]

interesting observation...I'll check his medical from 1920 when he re-enlisted... should note it again. I am still waiting for response from foundry collector. Union tattoos were the rage at the time of the first organized labour groups, especially the steel workers and the electrical workers. I do remembermy Mom saying that when he came back from the war (1919) he couldn't get his old job back at the foundry because "you had to have a Knights of Columbus ring". After re-enlisting but before leaving for the orient he asked for permission to take leave to attend an Orangemen's Parade, in Ottawa,specifically wearing civilian clothes. A huge protest against scab labour was noted to have taken place in the same year, at the same time.

 

[bottlebugs]

Nothing in his medical records about being shot. Just a hockey injury. But enlistment exams are clear about a shrapnel scar on left hand so I'm thinking your are exactly right. Thanks for your help!