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Prussian military identification and service record book (Militair-Paß) of the Royal Prussian Army (Königlich Preußische Armee), belonging to Heinrich Stennemann, surname provisionally transcribed, born on 1 July 1847 in Eickel, Bochum district. His religion was Protestant (evangelisch) and his civilian occupation was miner (Bergmann).
The document records his enlistment in the Prussian Army on 15 February 1869, with the rank of Gemeiner (private), assigned to the 7. Kompanie, 6. Westfälisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 55 (7th Company, 6th Westphalian Infantry Regiment No. 55). His personal details include a height recorded as 4 Fuß, 2 Zoll and 2 Strich, according to the measurement system used in the document.
The Militair-Paß was the personal military service record used by the Prussian Army during the nineteenth century. It recorded the holder’s identification details, military units, ranks, service periods, campaigns, decorations and subsequent administrative status in the reserve and Landwehr.
One of the most significant features of this example is the documentation of Heinrich Stennemann’s participation in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, fought between France and Prussia together with its allied German states, and culminating in the proclamation of the German Empire in January 1871.
Page 10 preserves a handwritten list of the engagements, battles and military operations in which he participated during the French campaign (Frankreich-Feldzug). Identifiable entries include:
These entries document his participation in several operations of the Franco-Prussian War, particularly the Lorraine campaign and the fighting associated with Metz. The recorded engagements place his service within some of the principal military operations of the conflict.
Page 9, under the section for decorations (Orden und Ehrenzeichen), contains the entry “K. D. 1870/71”, most probably referring to the Kriegsdenkmünze für die Feldzüge 1870–71 (Commemorative Medal for the Campaigns of 1870–1871), instituted by the Kingdom of Prussia to recognize participation in the war against France. The entry documents the award, although its precise variant cannot be established from the abbreviation alone.
Following the war, the holder was transferred to the military reserve in the Bochum district. Page 10 retains the official certification of the Königliches Commando des 6. Westfälischen Infanterie-Regiments Nr. 55, with the regiment’s signature and official stamp.
Subsequent pages document his continued military obligations:
Pages 13 and 14 retain official Prussian eagle stamps and signatures of the military authorities responsible for recording changes in the holder’s administrative status.
The group provides historical evidence of the service of a Prussian infantryman during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, particularly through the surviving campaign entries, recorded decoration and documentation of his subsequent reserve and Landwehr service.
Kingdom of Prussia Militair-Paß belonging to Private Heinrich Stennemann (born 1847), 6. Westfälisches Infanterie-Regiment Nr. 55, 7. Kompanie. Enlisted on 15.02.1869. Veteran of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871, with entries recording the fighting at Forbach, Gravelotte, operations before Metz, the Siege of Metz and other campaign engagements. Award of the Kriegsdenkmünze 1870/71 recorded in the document. Subsequently transferred to the reserve and Landwehr, with entries extending to 1882. Period Prussian military document containing handwritten service records, signatures and official stamps.
