US Bracelet Hurtgen Forest

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Just spent about 15 mins playing around with paint shop pro. I increased the colour saturation to 255 and enlarged the letters as far as possible - and damn if that last letter does not look more and more like an E. The top and bottom of the E is quite straight and the grooves of the engraving is clean except where the curve to complete the E to make the B would be. These engraving marks seem to be missing and looks like ??dirt. What do you think S?

 

I see what you mean Jerome, thanks for your help!
I do not have the original anymore otherwise i would have taken a better look, it seems that (maybe) it was original an E but by engraving it, now looks like a B, maybe later changed?
I do not think it's dirt but done for some reason on purpose?

 

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Did Mrs Page or her children ever tell you the story behind the bracelet itself AE? Such as, did he have it (in the US) before going overseas or did he purchase it in London?? We have the end of a great story, but the beginning is missing. Any chance we can complete the story?

 

I do not think the bracelet is ever mentioned to his family because he lost it during the war and he met Mrs. Page after the war.
I think we will never know the answer.

 

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Drat! - To wildly speculate a bit. The word STERLING stamped in could be a hallmark which would mean the bracelet is sterling silver. If so, it is doubtful (??) if it is GI issue. This opens two possibilities - (1) it was a gift from his parents/sweetheart on his enlistment/shipping out or (2) a private purchase in England. Usually, apart from Name, Rank (not done here), SN and Unit, the next two most common things put on an ID bracelet would be Religion and/or Blood Group. ERB/ERE is not a blood group so, ??? Religion. The only religion(s) that seem to fit is Baptist/Episcopolan, and google shows up a Enterprise Association of Regular Baptists Church.

Another possibility just occured to me - ERB or ERE could be the donor's initials! and reviewing the photo as is, the last letter does look like a B.

 

Sterling can also be Army issued, i found a captains insignia once that also has the Sterling mark on the backside.





I also had the tought that E.R.B. stands for ... Rifle Battalion, but i'm not sure about that.
In the Army ERB means also : Enlisted Record Brief , but i doubt that this is the correct translation for the bracelet!

 

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The plot thickens!!!!!!

 

Sterling is also used/stamped on US badges....

 

Just read this entire thread. Amazing story. Any updates?

 

No updates unfortunately, but that's oke.
It's been quite an experience that i'll never forget, hope to do more of these findings in the future and i would do the same thing.

 

I haven't heard anything from them either. Maybe I ought to call, make sure theyre ok.

 

Wow, this thread is just amazing, keep up the good work!

 

well done great find .

 

this is a great thread, glad you could find it BTL!

You still out there Ed?

 

Hey Bigfun,

yes i'm still here and for the upcoming period i'll make some new topics.
It has been a while!

 

Could you take some photo's of the area around the Forrest, military areas and what not? I have always been interested in this.

 

Really great thread, Aru!

 

In tears over reading this whole story unfold. This is what "Thanksgiving" should be all about!

Thank you each and everyone involved for all the steps taken in just the right order and just the right timing to allow this to complete itself. If I had family in a like situation and had someone honest and caring enough to go through all that took place for this to unfold in the way it has, I like this family would be equally humbled and moved.

From an individual removed from any direct effect taken here, this story moves me enough to actually believe there is some good left on this earth. God, don't take it out yet!