CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

I won a bid on Ebay for a Vintage AGFA PD 16 Tripar folding camera Circa 1935. I received it yesterday and it is in great shape, the original box however has not faired as well but I knew that when I placed my bid. Imagine my delight when I looked inside the box lid and discovered a name.

Cpl Edward J. Lesniak
559th SAW (Signal Aircraft Warning) Bn Co. APO 218 (I am presuming Army Post Office?)

I did some research on the 559th.

Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion (Separate)
Note: The Signal Company Aircraft Warning Panama, became the 559th Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion (Separate)
Redesignated: 1 December 1942, 516th Signal Aircraft Warning Regiment
Equipment: SCR-270, SCR-271, and SCR-588
Activated: In China-Burma-India Theater to operate and maintain aircraft warning activities in North Burma.
(Less Companies B & C) (218 NY) – Myitkyina, Burma
Subordinate to: 10th Air Force
Redesignated: 24 May 1946 as 153rd ACWG
Allotted: 24 May 1946 to National Guard

Company B (689 NY)
Ledo, India

Company C
Burma (?)
Equipment: Early Warning Radar

I tried to find some information on Corporal Lesniak. The only thing I found was a war memorial but I am not 100% sure that it is his.

I am thrilled to now own this and my mind is filled with questions as you can imagine.

AGFA PD 16




559th in China


Edward J Lesniak buried in Cook County Illinois,

ggiaphotos Loc: Iowa

That is so cool, what a treasure of history and a camera too boot!

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

Yes it is, thank you for looking :)

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Impressive! A camera with history is always more interesting. Thanks!

apache Loc: Split, Croatia

Beautiful story, thanks for sharing.

Leicaflex Loc: Cymru

Fascinating - Thank you for sharing these old memories.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Thanks. I feel mentioning his name gives him comfort in some way. Great work.

Sarge69

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

I did a name search on a database browser. It shows him but no known relatives or associates. Nice find, it is improtant to preserve a bit of history like that. Does the seller have any information about the owner?

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

Very cool stuff Mark!! Do you collect cameras?
Erv

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That's great! A link to the past. Of course, with any old camera, there has to be a history, but having a connection to that history makes it so much more personal. Do you know how the seller happened to own the camera?

I think from now on I'll put my name in everything and give the people of the future a thrill.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

You know Sarge, that's exactly how I feel, I spent 12 years in the army (British) .... it's weird, I just feel that I am somehow reaching out to him .... Brothers in Arms!. Thanks for looking.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

Thanks to festina, apache, and Leicaflex for looking.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

Not much shown on the sellers page about this. I had to do research to get info on the camera. I am going to contact the seller to see if he has any more info on it. Thanks for doing the name search and for looking.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

Thanks Erv. I have only just started to collect, having this and another AGFA circa 1956 but I have several bids on Ebay right now on cameras mostly from late 1800's to early 1900's. Cheers.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

No info on how the seller came by it but I am going to ask if he has any other information. Thanks for looking Jerry