Vimy Militaria - What's New

Vimy Militaria
P.O. Box 17018
Portobello RO
1937 Portobello Rd
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K4A 4W8

What's New!

Welcome to the latest Vimy Militaria update of 2024! This month's additions include a large variety of British Victorian material, as well as some singles and groups to scarcer Canadian First World War units, and some Canadian Second World War groups as well. Highlights include a Second World War RCAF group with a scarce King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air awarded for bravery during a 1948 expedition in the Canadian Arctic to survey the location of the Magnetic North Pole, and a nice Canadian double long service group to a Canadian RCAMC officer. As always, I encourage you to contact me directly with your wants, as I am happy to keep these on file and to contact you if something in your area of interest arrives; my active servicing of client want lists results in a large quantity of incoming material never making it to the website, and is the reason that my updates are less frequent, so if you have not sent me your wants, please consider taking advantage of this service.

Please keep visiting regularly!

Best wishes,

Jim Godefroy

New Arrivals

Five. 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45 (Canadian issue) with King's Commendation for Valuable Conduct in the Air, and Canadian Forces Decoration (GVI) with bar. CD named to F/S. A.B. HILLMAN. Flight Sergeant Aleck Burnett Hillman (service number 10096) received the King's Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air for his work during the Canadian Government's Magnetic Pole Survey in 1947. His award was published in the Canada Gazette of 28 August 1948, and in AFRO 524/48 dated 3 September 1948. His citation states:

Sergeant Hillman was the Flight Engineer of the Magnetic Pole Survey Canso which undertook a pioneering operation in the Arctic archipelago in 1947. An extremely high standard of technical maintenance was required in order to avoid disaster and this was achieved largely by the single-handed efforts of this outstanding non-commissioned officer. Without any normal facilities he worked tirelessly on the aircraft in remote inlets and lakes under the most extreme physical handicaps. He risked his life on two notable occasions at night to save his aircraft from destruction during gales which had torn it loose from anchorage and brought the menace of ice floes. Sergeant Hillman laboured continually to avert any delays in take-off which would risk the detachment. His efforts, far beyond the call of duty, were responsible for the readiness of the aircraft and consequently the most successful outcome of the expedition.

Hillman earned this award while serving with 438 Squadron RCAF; the 1947 expedition, which involved Paul H. Serson and Jack Clark, geophysicists from the Division of Terrestrial Magnetism, Dominion Observatory, involved the taking of magnetic observations at a total of ten different locations on Prince of Wales Island, Victoria Island, the Boothia Peninsula, and King William Island. This data collection, which supplemented efforts that had been ongoing by various British and Canadian explorers since 1831, sought to better define the location of the magnetic North Pole. Group is accompanied by research which includes an article on the expedition, and a printed copy of Hillman's citation. Medals are swing mounted as worn on original faded ribbons. A very significant bravery group to an RCAF member involved in Canadian Arctic exploration.

Good VF Condition $2000

One. Naval General Service Medal 1909-1962 with clasp 'NEAR EAST'. Named to P/JX 237080 E.R. JONES. A.B. R.N. Un-researched. Loose on clean modern ribbon.

Good VF Condition $200

One. Canada General Service Medal with bar "Fenian Raid 1866". Named to Cpl. G.H. Cutlip 1st Halifax. V.A. George Henry Cutlip served in the 1st Halifax Volunteer Artillery which was called up for service from 6 June to 31 July 1866. The medal roll indicates that Cutlip performed guard duty at Ordnance and participated in nightly harbour patrols by steamer with 1 gun, 1 Sgt. and 7 men of the battery on board. He received his medal in August 1900. The rolls for the CGS held at Library and Archives Canada show that Cutlip was one of 54 men in his unit who received the medal. A copy of Cutlip's obituary that accompanies the hard copy research file with the medal shows that he was a painter by profession, and notes that he passed away on 22 October 1909. Medal is toned black on short length of original ribbon.

EF Condition $750

One. British War Medal 1914-20. Named to 3322974 PTE.W.J. WHITEHEAD. CAN.TANK. BN. Whitehead enlisted in Ottawa on 20 May 1918; he had previously served 141 days with the Royal Flying Corps in 1917. He served with the 2nd Canadian Tank Battalion in England, and this medal represents his full entitlement for his service. Medal comes in original cardboard box of issue, with original ribbon and a piece of the transmittal letter that accompanied it (missing top of letter). An attractive medal to a scarcer CEF unit.

EF Condition $200

One. Crimea Medal 1854-56 with clasp 'SEBASTOPOL'. Unnamed as issued. On clean original ribbon.

Good VF Condition $275

One. Egypt Medal 1882-1889 with 1882 reverse. No clasp. Named to W. SKEAT BANDSN H.M.S. INCONSTANT. William Skeat was born on 19 November 1861 in Saint Blazey, Cornwall. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Bandsman on 2 February 1878, re-ennrolling for a 10 year term on 19 November 1879 when he reached the age of 18. Skeat served on HMS Impregnable, Inconstant, Duke of Wellington, Royal Adelaide, and Revenge. He took his discharge by purchase on 13 November 1884. Electronic copy of Royal Navy Register of Seaman's Service accompanies medal, which is loose on clean short length of original ribbon. Some contacting to edge of medal where surname appears, as can be seen in photos, but otherwise...

VF Condition $225

One. Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasps 'CAPE COLONY', 'ORANGE FREE STATE', 'TRANSVAAL'. Named to 71913 GNR: C. MACKIE. 14:S.D, R.G.A. Un-researched. Loose on clean older ribbon.

EF Condition $225

One. Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasp 'ORANGE FREE STATE'. Named to 5380 PTE. J. WHITE. RL: LANC: REGT. Copy medal roll with the medal indicates that White served with the 3rd Bn Rl Lanc Regt and was also entitled to the clasp 'CAPE COLONY'. Otherwise un-researched. Loose on modern ribbon with tape residue on reverse, one large EK near name of unit.

VF Condition $200

Eight. 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45 with Mention in Dispatches, Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GVI) with CANADA suspender, and Canadian Forces Decoration (EIIR). LSGC named CAPT J.A. HANDLEY RCAMC, and CD named MAJ. J.A. HANDLEY. John Albert Handley was born in 1911 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was living in Ottawa and working as a civil servant when he joined the 3rd Divisional Train Canadian Army Service Corps, Supply Company on 18 October 1929. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve in Ottawa as an Ordinary Seaman the following year, on 1 April 1930, noting his employment as an Office Boy at the Department of the Interior. He later joined the Canadian Army Medical Corps as part of the Permanent Active Militia (the Permanent Force) on 1 April 1931, serving continuously until his retirement on 4 April 1961. His Permanent Force service began in Ottawa, where he was a member of No. 9 Detachment, RCAMC, serving as a soldier and NCO with service number 30225. He was a Corporal at the outbreak of the Second World War, attesting for the CASF on 1 September 1939, and being rapidly promoted to Acting QM Sergeant (W.O. II) the same day. Just over a week later, he was made an Acting Sergeant Major (W.O. I), and he embarked for overseas on 3 November, being taken on strength of the Canadian Military HQ in London on arrival on 14 November 1939. Handley was sent for officer training in May 1942, and he was commissioned as a Lieutenant (QM) in June. He was posted to 11 Field Ambulance RCAMC on 1 February 1943, and deployed to Italy in October 1943, serving with 3rd Field Dressing Station. He was Mentioned in Dispatches in January 1945, and returned to Canada in April, resuming his service at NDHQ in Ottawa. Peacetime postings included further service in Ottawa, Montreal and Edmonton. Handley was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in Canadian Army Order 128-25 of September 1961, as a member of the Special Reserve shortly after his retirement from the Permanent Force. Electronic research file accompanying his group includes his Second World War service file, which documents his service between 1929-1961, as well as confirmation of the award of his LSGC and CD. Accompanied by matching group of seven miniatures (CD absent, but obviously as worn). Both groups swing-mounted as worn. An impressive long service group to a Permanent Force NCO and officer.

Good VF Condition $800

Three. Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, War Medal 1939-45, and Canadian Forces Decoration (EIIR). CD named to MAJ. A.H. MacKINNON. Alexander Huntley MacKinnon was an engineer with service ranging from COTC in the 1930s to time spent in the Militia in the 1960s. A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University and Nova Scotia Technical College, he served during the Second World War inside Canada with the Signal Communications Branch of the R.C.A.F. on the West Coast. Between 1949 and 1964, MacKinnon was a militia officer with the East Coast Signal Regiment, commanding the latter unit as a Lieutenant Colonel between 31 August 1957 and 22 June 1960, and later serving as a staff officer (G.S.O. (1)) at Eastern Command HQ , 4th Military Group HQ between 1960 and 1964. In civilian life, MacKinnon spent 40 years with Martime Tel and Tels, retiring as Vice President (Planning) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A hard copy reserach file, which includes his service record as well as an obituary, accompanies his group, which is swing mounted as worn.

Good VF Condition $250

One. India General Service Medal 1854-95 with clasp 'PEGU'. Un-named. Loose on older faded original ribbon. Un-researched.

Good VF Condition $250

One. Efficiency Medal (GVI) with CANADA suspension. Named to PTE. B. BROWN WEST NSR. Accompanied by War Service Badge numbered 215213 and a Second World War era West Nova Scotia Regiment cap badge. Burton Brown enlisted on 2 September 1939 in Sydney, Nova Scotia with the Cape Breton Highlanders (service number F-54708) and transferred to the West Nova Scotia Regiment (WNSR) on 14 December 1939 at Aldershot, Nova Scotia. He proceeded overseas with the WNSR, arriving in England on 31 December 1939. He served with various training units until 18 February 1944, qualifying as a driver on all vehicles used by his regiment, before deploying to Italy, disembarking on 3 March 1944. He fought there with the regiment until 17 March 1945, when he was deployed to France, campaigning there until war's end. Brown was returned to England from North West Europe on 4 June 1945, and then sailed from the UK on 20 June 1945 to Halifax, where he was discharged in August. Brown does not appear to have been wounded during his service. He briefly re-enrolled in 6 Independent Field Battery in April 1962, serving for 2 months, and being discharged in June. Burton Brown passed away in Sydney, Nova Scotia on 4 February 1994. Hard copy research with the medal includes his Second World War service file, confirmation of the award of his Efficiency Medal in Canadian Army G.O. 223 of 4 August 1945, and a copy of his obituary. Brown's service suggests he would have qualified for the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas bar, and War Medal 1939-45, although the copy of his service file, which was requested some time ago and is heavily redacted, does not include his medal card. More research possible.

Good VF Condition $275

1914-15 Star. Named to 53597 PTE. S.B. MUSSELMAN. 18/CAN: INF: Stanley Musselman was born in Berlin (now Kitchener), Ontario on 11 July 1891. A locomotive fireman in civilian life, he enrolled in the 18th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force at Sarnia, Ontario on 2 November 1914. Musselman sailed with his unit for the United Kingdom in April 1915, and embarked for France on 14 September 1915. He was transferred to the 4th Brigade Machine Gun Company in December 1915, and promoted to the rank of Corporal on 23 April 1916. He suffered an accident to his left knee in June 1916, after falling at night into a trench while carrying ammunition, and was later diagnosed with shell shock and hospitalized, being invalided to Folkestone, England on 22 June 1916. Musselman was discharged from the CEF in April 1919. Medal is gilded, and mounted on a stiffened piece of older ribbon.

Good VF Condition $90

One. Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal(VR). Named to E.T.J. TURNER H.M.S. COAST GUARD. On short length of worn original ribbon.

Good VF Condition $240

Two. British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal. Named to 6781 PTE. J. KAY. L.N. LANC. R. Loose on tattered soiled ribbons. Note with group indicates Kay also held service number 242974.

Good VF Condition $70

One. Canada General Service Medal 1866-70 with clasp RED RIVER 1870. Medal edge bears indications of erasure, with the remnant of an impressed letter 'N' visible, suggesting possibility that this was a specimen example sold by the Canadian War Museum that has been erased.

F Condition $750

Four. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal and Meritorious Service Medal (GV). Star named to T-689 DVR. W. DRUMMOND, A.S.C., pair named with service number 689, and same rank, name, unit, and MSM named T4-237254 DVR. W. DRUMMOND. 51/HIGH: D.T. A.S.C. William Drummond was from Lochearnhead, Scotland. His MSM naming indicates service in the 51st Highland Division, which was made up of Terrritorial Force (mainly Highland) units including the Seaforth Highlanders, Cameron Highlanders, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and the Gordon Highlanders. Drummond was awarded the MSM " in recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in France during the present war ", and it was recorded in the London Gazette of 17 June 1918. Drummond emigrated to Canada after the war, his obituary noting that he passed away in Kentville, Nova Scotia in September 1974, aged 81. Group is accompanied by a hard copy research file that includes Drummond's Medal Index Card, the London Gazette entry announcing his award of the MSM, and an obituary. More research possible; medals are loose and unmounted on clean modern ribbons.

Good VF Condition $525

One. Victory Medal. Named to 129622 A. SJT. A.A. FAIRNIE 72-CAN.INF. Alexander Adamson Fairnie was born on 24 February 1886 in Ecclefechan, Scotland. He was an accounatant in civilian life, and a peacetime member of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, when he enlisted in the 72nd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in Vancouver, British Columbia on 21 September 1915. Fairnie embarked for the UK on 23 April 1916, arriving on 7 May 1916, and reaching France with his battalion on 13 August 1916, having been promoted Lance Corporal on 5 May 1916. Fairnie suffered from an ear infection which resulted in him being invalided back to the UK in mid December 1916, and he remained in England for the remainder of the war, being employed by the Canadian Army Pay Corps in London as a finance clerk. He married while in England, and returned to Canada in March 1919 for discharge.

VF Condition $90

One. North West Canada Medal 1885. Unnamed as issued. Loose on modern slightly stained ribbon.

EF Condition $900

One. Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasp 'CAPE COLONY'. Named to 3327 PTE. J. DAVIS. DERBY: REGT. Un-researched. Loose on short piece of modern ribbon.

Good VF Condition $200

One. Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasp 'CAPE COLONY'. Named to 9806 SJT E. WATTS RL W. SURREY REGT. Un-researched. Loose on piece of modern ribbon.

Good VF Condition $240

Two. Likely family group. Queen's South Africa Medal with clasps 'CAPE COLONY', 'SOUTH AFRICA 1902'. Named to 28664 PTE. D. MC FEDERIES. 140TH IMP. YEO. COY. and British War Medal 1914-20. Named to 202955 PTE. J. MCFEDRIES GORD. HIGHRS. While these two medals are obviously named to different recipients, they came to us together and given the fact that the family name is uncommon, we believe they are likely related, which is why we are selling them as a pair. Un-researched. Each medal is loose on original (albeit incorrect) Victory Medal ribbon.

Good VF Condition $275

One. British War Medal 1914-20. Named to 789215 A.L.CPL. R. MONGRAIN. 130-CAN. INF. Roch Mongrain was baptized at Kippewa, Quebec on 16 August 1893. He was a member of the Algonquin First Nation, and worked as a guide before enlisting in the 130th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in Mattawa, Ontario on 1 April 1916. He served only in England. Medal is accompanied by copy of his birth certificate and marriage certificate, showing that he wed Mary Jawbone in 1922. Loose on original ribbon. A scarce odd-numbered battalion medal to a member of Canada's First Nations.

Good VF Condition $250

One. 1914-15 Star. Named to 12012 PTE. T. EVANS. 2/CAN:INF:BDE:H.Q. Thomas Evans was born on 9 February 1885 in Battersea, London, England. He was working as a bricklayer when he enlisted in the Headquarters of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier, Quebec on 25 September 1914, with his attestation paper signed by Lieutenant Colonel (later General Sir) Arthur Currie, who commanded 2nd Brigade. Evans served with the 8th Battalion CEF in France from 11 March to 19 November 1915, before being admitted to hospital while on leave in England. He spent most of 1916 and 1917 in the UK in administrative roles, before returning to the 8th Battalion, CEF as a Staff Sergeant in July 1918. Evans received a gun shot wound to the right thigh at Amiens on 9 August 1918, while serving with the 8th Battalion, and was invalided back to England, not returning to service before war's end. Medal is loose on original ribbon with staples holding the latter onto a cardboard backing. A scarcer CEF unit naming, seldom seen.

Good VF Condition $125

Two. British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal. Named to 491228 SJT. W. WRIGHT. C.A.G.S. William Wright was born on 1 May 1891 in Hawick, Scotland. He was a laborer in civilian life, who claimed five years of past military service in the 4th (King's Own) Regiment, when he joined the 33rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force at London, Ontario on 13 February 1915. He arrived in England on 26 March 1916, and after serving in various Canadian reserve elements in England, he was posted to France on 13 May 1917, joining 'A' Wing of the Canadian Corps Training School, and serving as part of the Canadian Army Gymnastics Staff. Medals are loose on short lengths of original ribbon, with adhesive residue and paper on reverse. Another scarce CEF unit naming.

Good VF Condition $200

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