Introduction Lawrence Carthage Weathers, VC (14 May 1890 to 29 September 1918) was a New Zealand-born Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in battle that could be awarded to a member of the Australian armed forces at the time. His parents returned to their native South Australia when Weathers was… Read More
Introduction Freddie Stowers (12 January 1896 to 28 September 1918) was an African-American corporal in the United States Army who was killed in action during World War I while serving in an American unit under French command. Over 70 years later, he posthumously received the Medal of Honour and Purple Heart for his actions. Early… Read More
Introduction Lothar Siegfried Freiherr von Richthofen (27 September 1894 to 04 July 1922) was a German First World War fighter ace credited with 40 victories. He was a younger brother of top-scoring ace Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron) and a distant cousin of Luftwaffe Field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofen. Following the war, he worked… Read More
Introduction The Occupation of the Ruhr (German: Ruhrbesetzung) was a period of military occupation of the Ruhr region of Germany by France and Belgium between 11 January 1923 and 25 August 1925. France and Belgium occupied the heavily industrialised Ruhr Valley in response to Germany defaulting on reparation payments dictated by the victorious powers after… Read More
Introduction Hugo Schmeisser (24 September 1884 – 12 September 1953) was a German developer of 20th century infantry weapons. Schmeisser was born in Jena, Thuringia. His father, Louis Schmeisser (1848-1917), was one of the best-known weapons designers in Europe. The life and work of Hugo Schmeisser mostly took place in the weapons manufacturing city of… Read More
Introduction Werner Voss (German: Werner Voß; 13 April 1897 to 23 September 1917) was a World War I German flying ace credited with 48 aerial victories. A dyer’s son from Krefeld, he was a patriotic young man even while still in school. He began his military career in November 1914 as a 17‑year‑old Hussar. After… Read More
Introduction William Frederick Stone (23 September 1900 to 10 January 2009) was one of the last five surviving First World War veterans who served in the United Kingdom’s armed forces and one of the last two surviving seamen worldwide, along with Claude Choules. They were also the last two to have also served in the… Read More
Boot Camp & Military Fitness Institute 