An interesting accumulation of items relating to William ‘Jim’ John Ashman, who travelled from Britain to the United States and enlisted with the 4th Infantry (Machine Gun Company) during the Mexican Revolution and U.S. Occupation of Veracruz before subsequently returning home to serve with the British Armed Forces in WW1.

Comprising: Two large panoramic albumen photographs: 5th Brigade Camp, Fort Crockett, Texas, photo copyright 1915 by Medley and Henningsen; and 4th & 7th Infantry Camp, Fort Crockett, Texas 1914, photo copyright Medley and Glandford, each measuring 128cm x 23.5cm (previously framed, now rolled)

Approximately 156 loose printed and real photographic postcards relating to America and Mexico, circa 1912-15. Subjects include military camp life and soldiers in Galveston and Veracruz, boxing matches and group portraits; the wreck of a U.S aeroplane at No. 11 Mobilization camp, Texas City; portrait of General Pancho and Mrs Villa; street scenes and views of daily life in Mexico; Mexican outlaws and ‘Mujereres Patriotas’ (with an inscription to reverse ‘I am not afraid of the men but I don’t like to come across this bunch, the women are worse than the men’). Other cards document deaths, damages, and consequences of the invasion, including damage to the Naval School building in Veracruz, prisoners being marched to their execution, and several graphic postcards of such as piles of the dead killed near the customs house (April 21st – 22nd, 1914).

Related ephemera - Five Thanksgiving and Christmas Rosters/Menu Cards (‘D’ Company 4thS Infantry – Fort Crook Nebraska 1912 and Camp Crockett Texas, 1913 and 1914); a St Patrick’s Day Masquerade Ball ticket; United States Army Signal Book 1914, circulated Confederate States currency bank notes, including a $500 note; a Special Privilege Card; a copy of ‘American Occupation – Vera Cruz 1914’ (National Capital Press, 1914) named to William Ashman in the inside cover.

Ashman’s pair of stirrups; leather gaiters; folding campaign rack, a medal or token commemorating the US Army on the Mexican Border, Galveston Texas; American Occupation of Veracruz Mexico 1914 medal (named to W.J Ashman, very worn) and another, unnamed, etc.

A further album of printed postcards of the United States and Canada, including twenty-six different State Girl postcards, felt pennant postcards from Nova Scotia, various Fort Crockett illustrated humorous postcards etc.

Together with items relating to Ashman’s service during WW1 and later (Glamorgan Yeomanry, Welsh Regiment and Shropshire Yeomanry): Comprising a bundle of dog tags, 1914-18 War Medal and Victory Medal (named to “320950 Pte. W. J Ashman). War Service badge, pair of Glamorgan shoulder titles. Welch cap badge and a Glamorgan Yeomanry Badge. General Joffre and 1914-1919 War commemorative medals. An Official Copy Soldier’s Prayer book and a copy of the New Testament.

A collection of British postcards, including photographs of Ashman boxing and two further small albums of greetings postcards etc. A discharge certificate, dated 2nd July 1921. A small collection of business and trade cards together with a White Star line ticket (for his return to the UK in 1915), various invitations, business and trade cards. A brass button cleaner and two pocket knives.

William John Ashman (b. 16th December 1890 - d. July 1970). Travelled to Halifax, Nova Scotia on 18th July 1912. Spent some time working as a cattle rancher before enlisting with the U.S Army on 16th October 1912. Returned home to the UK in 1915. Enlisted with the Welsh Regiment in the same year and later transferred to the Shropshire Yeomanry. Service numbers 320950 and (Tf)396246.

The postcards in this lot were sent predominantly to Ashman's sister or parents. The majority are not postmarked, although they are often captioned to the reverse with additional personal commentary by Ashman. Some feature portraits of Ashman, including in uniform and, given his talent for bare-knuckle boxing, during boxing matches in both the United States and at home.