Italian Military Uniform

[nickintexas]

This is my paternal GF Michele Andreola [Born, Aug. 6 1888 In Casalvecchio di Puglia, FG].
This painting/picture probably would have been done in the 1908-1913 range; but , possibly could have between 1919-1924. He waseither too young? or in the USA prior to '08 and back in the USA from '13 to '19.

Does any one have any insights on the uniform (army, I assume?), #17 on hat (regiment ?), the single stripe on sleeve equivalent to a Private?...Tips to acquire service records?.......Any clarity is appreciated. Thanks!!



Hopefully a little clearer close up of hat


Standard collar & shoulder designs?

[Italysearcher]

My husband thinks it might be a police uniform. State archives should have any military record.

[ricbru]

Yes, first of all, send a request in italian to Archivio di Stato di Foggia to obtain his military record

http://www.archivi.beniculturali.it/UCB ... ome=FOGGIA

After that, since he was born on 1888, for sure he was sent to WW1, wearing the uniform of italian army.
The number 17 should be the regiment, see the colors of the collars

http://www.cimeetrincee.it/brigate.htm

The closest, for the colour is the Bologna brigade or the Genova regiment
but there is a discrepancy with the number: Bologna brigade is the 39th and 40th regiment, the Genova brigade is the 97th and 98th regiment.
The 17th regiment, is the Acqui brigade but the color doesnt match
Hopefully this mistery will be resolved thanks to the miliary record.
bye Riccardo

[nickintexas]

Exceptional link Riccardo! Thank you.

I discovered by clicking on each that a little history on .pdf is behind it. The Bologna text mentions Castelvecchio and Castelnuovo but i can't quite translate those parts on pages 1 & 2 to get the gist of what it's saying

[ricbru]

Surely the story told in those pdf, is about what happened by the Alps, to conquer the lands the austrian, I can understand that there is Castelvecchio and Castelnuovo village around the Alps
bye Riccardo

[nickintexas]

I see the Brigata Acqui were the 17th & 18th Reggimento
So either the # or the collar color/pattern is inconsistant.....

Could this Aqcui be refering to the area northwest of Genova around about Acqui Terme & Montechiaro d'Acqui?

[ricbru]

I guess the name of the brigade was taken from Acqui Terme?
I don't know
Riccardo

[Freethinker]

Nick that is a beautiful work of art and you are so blessed to have it!
I hope you find what your looking for.