Figure 1.--The boy here looks to be wearing a uniform styles identically to that worn by American World War I soldiers, but with knickers rather than putees. The image is undated, but we would guess it was taken in the 1910s, perhaps during the War years. All we know about the image is that it was taken at the Weidner studios in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. A curious image for a town founded by Quakers. We do not know know what military school he founded or if there is a military school near Quakertown. Image courtesy of the MD collection.

The United States declared War on Germany and entered World War I (April 1917). The War had been rageing in Europe since 1914. The United States sent a large Expeditionary Force to France (AEF). The uniform was changed from the one worn in the Spanish American War (1898). It was an olive green uniform worn with a wide brimed hat. Some schools used a peaked cap which I believe was during the War worn by officers. I'm not precisely sure when this uniform was adopted, but military schools around the country quickly conformed to it. Interestingly, it was the same basic uniform adopted by the American Boy Scouts. Some schools might have destinctive features to their uniform, but others simply adopted scaled down versions of the official U.S. Army uniform, but without the official insignias. The younger boys at American military schools might wear knickers. The boy here looks to be wearing a uniform styles identically to that worn by American World War I soldiers, but with knickers rather than putees.

Created: 2:55 PM 9/12/04
Last updated: 2:55 PM 9/12/04