WWI Veteran Award Document Set – 1. Bayerisches Jäger-Bataillon – Wanne-Eickel

Offered here is a very interesting original document grouping belonging to Wilhelm Kampfenkel, born 10 March 1890 in Wittenberg, Prussia, documenting his service as a Sergant (Hornist) with the 4. Kompanie of the 1. Bayerischen Jäger-Bataillons during the First World War, together with his later recognition as a decorated and wounded WWI veteran.

The earliest and particularly interesting document is an original 1934 Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer award certificate, issued by the Polizeipräsident in Bochum on 5 November 1934. The certificate identifies Kampfenkel, by then a Reichsbank-Obergeldzähler, as a former front-line combatant and records the award of the Ehrenkreuz für Frontkämpfer, established by the decree of 13 July 1934 in remembrance of the German veterans of the First World War. The original Bochum police stamp and period signature remain present.

Also included is an original Berechtigungsausweis for the Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz, issued at Dessau on 29 September 1936 by the Versorgungsamt Dessau. The document identifies Kampfenkel as a Reichsbankoberzähler, born 10 March 1890, and officially grants him the right to wear the black grade of the Verwundetenabzeichen. This is an important supporting document confirming that Kampfenkel had been wounded during his earlier military service.

The grouping is further supported by an official Bescheinigung of the Zentralnachweisamt für Kriegerverluste und Kriegergräber, Zweigstelle München, dated 26 August 1936. This document records Kampfenkel’s wartime decorations as Eisernes Kreuz 2. Klasse, dated 6 August 1918, and Verwundetenabzeichen in Schwarz. Importantly, it identifies his wartime rank and appointment as Sergant (Hornist), 4. Kompanie, 1. Bayerisches Jäger-Bataillon, providing a direct contemporary record connecting him with this Bavarian Jäger formation.

The 1. Bayerische Jäger-Bataillon “König” was a long-established Bavarian Jäger formation based at Freising. During the First World War it became part of the Jäger-Regiment 1, serving with the German forces on several fronts, including the Western Front and later as part of the Alpenkorps. The 1st Bavarian Jäger Battalion was ultimately disbanded after the war in December 1918.

The documents also provide an interesting glimpse into Kampfenkel’s post-war civilian career. By the 1930s he is repeatedly identified as a Reichsbank employee, including as Reichsbank-Oberzähler/Obergeldzähler, with addresses in Bernburg and Wanne-Eickel appearing in the accompanying correspondence. Thus, the grouping documents not only his WWI military service, but also his subsequent civilian career and veteran status during the 1930s.

The documents remain in original period condition, showing the expected folds, age toning, foxing/discoloration and handling/storage wear. The original official stamps, signatures and typed details remain clearly visible throughout.