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! This month's additions include a significant focus on the Canadian Expeditionary Force, but do hit a few other themes as well. Highlights include a First World War group to a member of No. 2 Construction Battalion which includes Second World War service with the Veteran's Guard, and some interesting Memorial Crosses, including one to a 419 'Moose' Squadron pilot who was lost over Belgium. Other additions include some First World War Canadian and British groups, and several interesting single medals to CEF soldiers. I have also added more badges, a Canadian Korean War Medal group, and a Second World War Royal Australian Air Force group, as well as some unresearched single Victorian campaign and long service medals. Frequent visitors will note that a number of items have had an invitation to make an offer added; these are generally consignment items where my client has indicated some openness to consider reasonable offers, and I am happy to convey these and work with both parties to see if scope for a sale exists. This feature has proven popular, and several clients have taken advantage of this option to secure items of interest. 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.

Please keep visiting regularly!

Best wishes,

Jim Godefroy


New Arrivals

  


  Four. British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal and War Medal 1939-45. BWM/VM named to 931066 A. CPL. S.FLOOD. C.O.R.C.C. Sydney Flood was born on 30 March 1896 in Georgetown, British Guiana. He was working as a labourer in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia when he enlisted in No. 2 Construction Battalion on 28 July 1916. His next of kin on enrollment was listed as his mother, Maggie Flood, who still resided in Georgetown. Flood embarked for overseas in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 25 March 1917, disembarking at Liverpool on 7 April 1917. He was appointed Acting Corporal shortly afer his arrival, but relinquished his rank before his battalion moved to France on 17 May 1917. Flood was admonished for disobeying an order and insolence to a Warrant Officer on 27 July 1917. He was attached to 1st District Canadian Forestry Corps on 30 December 1917, and appears to have served with 42nd and 43rd Company CFC through most of 1918. He received 14 days of Field Punishment No. 3 on 24 June 1918 for being absent without leave for a day and a half, and forfeited 2 days pay. He received 14 days leave in the United Kingdom on 25 October 1918, and remained there at the Nova Scotia Regiment Depot until his return to Canada. On his release from the CEF in May 1919, Flood's place of residence was 530a St. Antoine Street in Montreal, Quebec. Flood re-enrolled in the Veterans Guards of Canada during the Second World War, enlisting at Montreal on 5 August 1940, and serving until 11 October 1945. His service included time at internment camps in Farnham, Quebec and Grand Ligne, where he was employed on guard and escort duties, as well as instructional duties in Ottawa, and also spent time in Port Arthur, Ontario and Nanaimo, BC, where he served as a weapon training instructor. On discharge, Flood was 49 years of age. His Second World War service record, which accompanies his group, sheds a good deal of light on his life outside the military. It reveals that he completed Grade 10 at Glace Bay High School in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, and studied music at McGill College (sic) for 3 years. He was a driver and miner at Cape Breton Coal Mines from 1910-1915, and a sleeping car porter for the Canadian Pacific Railway from 1919-1921, before becoming a station porter for the CPR at Windsor Station in Montreal between 1921-1940, being granted occasional leaves of absence to pursue his studies in music. He was married, and had two children. After the war, Flood, who was described as a well-built, well-spoken, mature and youthful looking man, indicated that he intended to return to his employment with the CPR. Group includes hard copies of First World War and Second World War service records. Medals are swing mounted for wear on clean original ribbon. A rare and iconic group of medals to a member of No.2 Construction Battalion.

Good VF Condition $6000

  

  One. Memorial Cross (GVI). Named F.O. J.A. GIBBS J17248. Flying Officer Jack Arthur Gibbs was from Penticton, British Columbia. He served with 419 Squadron and was 29 years old when he was killed in action on 5 February 1945. He was serving at the time as Mid Upper Gunner in the crew of Lancaster KB787, and had participated in over 50 operations. At the time of his death, he was on the 19th operation of his second tour, part of a raid on Bonn, Germany by 238 aircraft, of which only 20 were Lancasters. His plane was involved in an air collision on the way to the target over Belgium during what were described as poor weather conditions. More details about Gibbs' crew and their fate can be found here. Gibbs is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commissions' Hotton War Cemetery, east of Namur, Belgium. Cross is loose on a short piece of ribbon in case.

Good VF Condition $650

    

  One. British War Medal 1914-20. Named to 228446 PTE. C.H. PUDIFIN 75-CAN.INF.. Charles Henry Pudifin was born on 14 April 1875 in Toronto, Ontario. He was married and working as a letter carrier when he enlisted in the 201st Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force in Toronto on 17 May 1916. Pudifin claimed eight months previous military service in the city's 10th Royal Grenadiers, with rank of Corporal. Pudifin embarked in Canada for passage to England on 25 October 1916, arriving in Liverpool on the 31st of the same month. He was deployed forward and posted to the 75th Battalion in France on 5 December 1916. He spent time with the 4th Entrenching Battalion from 30 December 1916 to 18 February 1917, when he returned to the 75th. Pudifin was wounded in the chest and right shoulder on 30 March 1917, convalescing from his injuries until October 1917, when he was transferred to the 1st Canadian Infantry Works Battalion, and later, in Septemeber 1918, to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Works Company. Pudifin was struck off strength of the CEF in Canada in February 1919.

Good VF Condition $80

 

  One. Christmas card sent by Lt. Col F. Minden Cole & Officers 2nd Regiment Canadian Artillery, Montreal, 1898-99. Some fading/crazing on front of card, and some glue residue on reverse. From the estate of Sir Frederick Borden, who served as Minister of Militia from 1896-1911.

Good VF Condition $100

 

  One. 1914-15 Star. Named to 21081 PTE. A. MANN 5/CAN: INF: Alexander Mann was born on 6 April 1886 in Arbroath, Scotland. A teamster in civilian life, with previous service in the 52nd Regiment Prince Albert Volunteers, he joined the 11th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier, Quebec on 23 September 1914. Embarking for overseas from Quebec with the 1st Canadian Division on 4 October 1914, he landed in England and was transferred to the 5th Bn CEF on 1 February 1915. He was wounded in action (gun shot wound to chest) and taken prisoner on 24 April 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. He was later released from German custody and turned to England via Rotterdam, Holland on 9 January 1918, diagnosed with insanity, and repatriated to Canada for further medical treatment, before being discharged in Kingston, Ontario in January 1919. A scarce award to a Canadian prisoner of war, one of only 3842 men taken prisoner while serving with the CEF during the First World War.

Good VF Condition $250

    

  One. Memorial Cross (GV). Named to Lieut. J.C. SNELGROVE. Accompanied by Snelgrove's Class A War Service Badge numbered 26434, and the vellum certificate and transmittal letter for the latter. John Cecil Snelgrove was born on 4 June 1890 in Toronto, Ontario. He attested as a Lieutenant into Toronto's 75th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on 29 January 1916. A bond salesman in civilian life, he was single and living with his parents at 105 Carlton Street in Toronto, and was serving in the 23rd Regiment, Canadian Militia at the time of his enrollment in the CEF. He sailed from Halifax with his unit on the SS Empress of Britain on 29 March 1916, disembarking at Liverpool on 9 April 1916. Snelgrove arrived in France with the 75th Battalion on 12 August 1916, and was in action soon after his arrival, being slightly wounded (sustaining a fractured jaw, with five teeth broken, from a shrapnel wound to the face) while leading the left bombing party of his battalion's contribution to a large scale divisional trench raid on the St. Eloi Craters on the night of 16/17 September 1916. Snelgrove was recommended for the Military Cross for his part in the action, but ultimately did not receive any recognition. He was sent back to Canada for further medical treatment in November 1916, and retained on the General List. He served on secondment with the Royal Flying Corps in Toronto, Canada as an Equipment Officer from 31 March 1917 until 30 April 1919. Snelgrove died of influenza on 3 February 1920, and while his death was ruled to not be attributed to military service, his service record indicates that a Memorial Cross was issued to his mother, Isobel, in 1921. Cross is on original ribbon and contained in case of issue. An interesting Memorial Cross to a gallant 75th Battalion officer

Good VF Condition $450

 

  One. A 3rd Victoria Rifles of Canada cap badge c. 1862. Mazeas MM.31. Approximately 3" tall x 2 3/4" wide. Two original lugs to reverse, with some wear to black paint finish as can be seen in photos, but otherwise...

VF Condition $95

   

   One. Victory Medal. Named to 23691 PTE. O. OUELLETTE 14-CAN.INF. Omer Ouellette was born on 22 June 1894 in Matane County, Quebec. He enlisted in the 12th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier on 27 September 1914. After landing in England with the 1st Canadian Division, Ouellette was transferred to the 14th Battalion in February 1915, and appears to have landed with the unit at St. Nazaire the same month. Ouellette transferred to the 3rd Canadian Machine Gun Company on 19 December 1916, and was awarded the Military Medal while serving with the 1st Battalion Canadian Machine Gun Corps, with notice of the award published in 1st Canadian Division Orders of 28 September 1918. Formal notification of the award appeared in London Gazette 31173 of 11 February 1919. No citation has been located for it, but the act of gallantry which resulted in the recognition likely occurred sometime between the start of the 100 Days campaign at Amiens on 8 August 1918, and the date it appeared in 1st Canadian Division Orders in late September, which is coincident with the Bourlon Wood and Canal du Nord battles; the second battle of Arras and Drocourt-Queant Line are likely candidates (2-3 September 1918). Ouellette's name is in the book Le Régiment de Maisonneuve 1880-2017 by Michel L'Italien in Annex E as a recipient of the MM. Ouellette was an original member of the 85e Regiment Canadian Militia, the antecedent of Le Regiment de Maisonneuve. Medal has a small spot of tarnishing on lower right of obverse, and is loose on a replacement ribbon.

VF Condition $125

 

  One. New Year's greeting card sent by Lt. Col John I. Davidson & Officers of the 48th Highlanders, Toronto 1 January 1897. A couple of small marks and indentations on front of card; addressed by hand in ink to 'The Honorable The Minister of Militia. With list of unit officers on reverse. From the estate of Sir Frederick Borden, who served as Minister of Militia from 1896-1911.

VF Condition $100

 

  One. Memorial Cross (GV). Named to 43757 Gnr.W. McPHEE. William McPhee was born on 10 July 1876 in Dalhousie, Ontario. He was working as a cook when he enlisted in the 1st Canadian Division's Divisional Ammunition Column as a Gunner at Valcartier, Quebec on 25 September 1914. McPhee died of wounds resulting from internal injuries caused by a kick from a horse while on actve duty in Belgium on 16 April 1916. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, Belgium. Cross is loose on a short length of clean modern ribbon.

Good VF Condition $325

  

  One. Birks Memorial Bar. Named S/SGT. R.W. LAMB R.C.A.S.C. DIED IN HIS COUNTRY'S SERVICE 24 AUG 1944. With issue card holder for bar, and a CWGC folder that holds photos of Lamb's grave as well as a press clipping with an image of him, noting he had died of wounds. Reuben William Lamb was born on 14 October 1942 at Regina, Saskatchewan. He moved to Victoria, British Columbia in 1929, and was working as a chauffeur there and serving in the 5th British Columbia Coast Bde (NPAM) when he enlisted for active service in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps on 13 September 1939. He qualified as a Clerk Group B, and was posted to 3rd Canadian Division Petrol Company, RCASC on 19 June 1940. He was quickly promoted through the ranks of A/Corporal, A/Sergeant, and A/Staff Sergeant, before being confirmed in the rank of Staff Sergeant on 1 September 1940. Embarking for overseas at Halifax on 31 July 1941, he arrived at Liverpool on 19 August. He was transferred to 3rd Division Troops Coy, RCASC and later to 9th Cdn Inf Bde Coy, RCASC, landing in France with his unit on 12 July 1944. Lamb was wounded by shrapnel from enemy aircraft bombardment of elements of the 9th Cdn Infantry Bde Coy RCASC on 21 August 1944 at Ouilly-le-Tesson, and died three days later. He is buried at the CWGC's Bretteville-sur-Laize Cemetery, Calvados, France. The 9th Cdn Inf Bde Coy RCASC War Diary of 25 August has an entry that notes "Advice received that S/Sgt Lamb died of wounds received on 21 Aug., he was one of the 3 Div Pet Coy originals, as star athlete, very popular, and will be greatly missed." In addition to the documents described above and illustrated in the accompanying photos, the bar is also accompanied by hard copy service record and war diary extracts An unusual grouping to a casualty of an air attack on rear-echelon support elements.

Good VF Condition $450

 

  One. 1914-15 Star. Named to 6038 GNR. J. SKINNER R. CAN: H. ART: James Skinner was born in Wortwell, Harleston, Norfolk, England on 22 May 1886. A gardener in civilian life, he noted that he had five years of military service in the Royal Garrison Artillery when he enlisted as a gunner in the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery at Valcartier, Quebec on 23 September 1914. After sailing to England with the 1st Canadian Division in October 1914 and spending the winter training, he landed in France with the RCHA on 20 July 1915. Skinner was attached to 1st Canadian Division HQ in February 1916, remaining there until mid-March 1916, and attached to 3rd Canadian Division Artillery HQ between July and September 1916. On 14 January 1917, Skinner was transferred to the Corps Anti-Aircraft Batteries, and taken on strength of 'E' Battery. Skinner was admitted to No. 8 General Hospital at Rouen on 8 September 1917 severely wounded with gas poisoning, one record in his file indicating the nature of the wound as "Shell gas wound (face)", and noting that it occurred at Vimy on 6 September 1917. Skinner was not discharged from hospital until 19 October 1917. This earlier wound appeared to continue to affect him after he returned to service, and he was hospitalized again, with bronchitis that developed into pneumonia, on 21 March 1918, remaining in hospital until 9 August 1918. He returned to France in October 1918, rejoining 'E' Battery in January 1919, and remaining with this unit until 18 April 1919, when he returned to England. He chose to remain in the UK, and was discharged there. Loose on original slightly soiled ribbon.

Good VF Condition $100

 

  One. An invitation card from Sir Donald A. Smith (Canadian High Commissioner in London 1896-1914), inviting Lieutenant Borden (son of Sir Frederick Borden, the Minister of Militia) to a Dominion Day 1897 dinner to meet the Honourable Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada, on 29 June 1897 at the Hotel Cecil in London, England. Lieutenant Borden served as an officer in the Royal Canadian Dragoons during the Boer War, and was killed in action on 16 July 1900 at Witpoort, near Johannesburg, Transvaal. The card has some slight glue/paper residue on reverse on one edge. From the estate of Sir Frederick Borden, who served as Minister of Militia from 1896-1911.

Good VF Condition $100

 

  One. New Year's card sent 1900 by the Sergt-Major and Non-Commissioned Officers of the Duke of York's Royal Canadian Hussars. Dated Montreal, January 1st 1900. One small chip/tear at top of card at seen in photo, but otherwise clean. From the estate of Sir Frederick Borden, who served as Minister of Militia from 1896-1911.

Good VF Condition $100

 

  One. Christmas card sent 1898 by Major Hurdman and Officers of the 2nd Ottawa Field Battery, C.A. Has printed list of unit officers on the reverse, which includes Lieutenant 'Dinky' Morrison, who earned the Distinguished Service Order in South Africa during the battle of Liliefontein on 7 November 1900. Card has been pasted into a scrapbook, and has some paper residue on the reverse. From the estate of Sir Frederick Borden, who served as Minister of Militia from 1896-1911.

Good VF Condition $100

  

  Five. 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal (cupro-nickel), War Medal 1939-45 (cupro-nickel), 1937 Coronation Medal, and Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GV). LSGC named 7717037 S. SJT. W. JONES M.P.S.C. SSjt W. Jones served in the Military Provost Staff Corps. This medal group was previously sold in Dix Noonan Webb Auction Sale of 14 September 2012 as lot #977. Jones' service is unresearched. Medals are court-mounted and lacquered in style typical of Don Tresham, Invicta International (Ottawa), a well-known collector of medals to military police.

Good VF Condition $250

 

   Three. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal. Named to 2168 PTE. J.E. VALLANCE. R. FUS: on Star, and to same number, name, unit but rank CPL on pair. With electronic copy of service record indicating that John Edgar Vallance joined the 2nd Sportsman's Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 7 December 1914 from Wateringbury, Maidstone, Kent, where he was employed as a jobsman. He served with his unit in France from 15 November 1915 until April 1916, when he was reassigned as unfit, likely due to his advanced age (42 years old), to the Labour Battalion. Medals are individually swing mounted on older ribbons on a card backing with small name plate.

VF Condition $150

 

  Two. Australian War Service Medal and War Medal 1939-45. Named to 146492 L.M. KAY. Un-researched. Court-mounted on card with plaque indicating Kay served in the R.A.A.F.

Good VF Condition $150

  

  Two. Korea Medal (Canada) and UN Korea Medal clasp Korea. Korea and UN Korea named to SD 800329 E.H. JODOIN. Jodoin served during the Second World War in the Royal Canadian Navy, earning a 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Italy Star, CVSM and clasp and War Medal (not included with group), and in 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR), 1 RCR and 2 CAU during his service with the CASF. His time in Korea seems to have been focused with 2 Canadian Administration Unit (2 CAU), although he returned to 2 RCR at the tail end of his time overseas in September 1952, and continued to serve with them on his return from Korea, earning his Parachute wings and serving an additional three years before taking his release in November 1955. A set of replacement medals were issued in 1973, according to his file, and the naming style on these suggests that they are the replacement medals. There is a Second World War MID emblem sewn to the ribbon of the UN Korea Medal, but no indication of any entitlement to an MiD for his service in either conflict. Medals are loose on ribbon, with Korea Medal (Canada) sporting a length of Korea Volunteer Service Medal ribbon in lieu of the correct ribbon for the medal. With electronic copy of service file.

VF Condition $300

  

  Two. 1914-15 Star and British War Medal. Star named to LT. A.T. HILL CAN: A.S.C., and BWM named to MAJOR A.T. HILL. Arthur Torrens Hill was from Quebec City, Quebec, and had pre-war service in the 8th Royal Rifles, the Army Medical Corps and the Army Service Corps when he joined the 2nd Divisional Train, CEF as a Lieutenant on 25 February 1915. He proceded overseas in September 1915, and transferred to the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC) in December 1916, serving in France as a Captain and Acting Major while in command of 24th Company CFC. Medals are loose with clean ribbons, the Victory Medal ribbon of modern manufacture.

Good VF Condition $175

  

  Three. British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal and India General Service Medal 1908-35 with clasp AFGHANISTAN N.W.F. 1919. Medals named to 104221 PTE. E.F. KAY. R.A.M.C. With electronic copy of Medal Index Card confirming entitlement for all three awards and indicating the recipient, Ebenezer F. Kay, was from Darwen, Lancashire. Medals are individually court-mounted on clean original ribbon and glued to a card backing for display with a small plastic name plate attached.

Good VF Condition $175

  

  Four. British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal, 1935 Jubilee Medal, and 1953 Coronation Medal. BWM/Victory pair named to 171107 PTE. R.H. McLAGAN 24-CAN.INF. Robert Hall McLagan joined the 83rd Bn Canadian Expeditionary Force at Toronto,Ontario on 10 August 1915. He deployed to France to join the 24th Bn CEF on 3 February 1916. He received a gun shot wound to his left thigh on 16 August 1917 during the Battle of Hill 70, his service record indicating that he was hit by a sniper's bullet while proceeding to the front line. McLagan was discharged from the CEF physically unfit on 30 July 1918. Medals are mounted as worn; with hard copy of service record extracts.

Good VF Condition $300

  

  One. Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasp 'NATAL'. Named to 93 TPR: E.F. EDWARDS. BETHUNE’S M.I. With copy of medal roll verifying single clasp, which is scarce/unusual to unit. Otherwise unresearched.

Good VF Condition $200

   

  One. Efficiency Medal with TERRITORIAL suspender. Named to 2058389 GNR. R.J. CANNONS R.A. Unresearched. Loose on clean older ribbon.

Good VF Condition $160

 

  One. Royal Military College of Canada King's Crown helmet plate. Maker marked J.R. GAUNT MONTREAL MADE IN ENGLAND on reverse. With original lugs and cotter pin.

Good VF Condition $160

   

  One. Queen's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasp 'CAPE COLONY'. Named to 3799 Pte. J. MACKENZIE. A.O.C. in engraved sloping capitals. Un-researched. On original ribbon with lugged brooch bar.

Good VF Condition $150

   

  One. Royal Navy Long Service and Conduct Medal (VR). Named to HENRY JOHNS LG. SHIPWt. H.M.S. WILDFIRE. Un-researched, other than a short note indicating that Henry Johns was Welsh, and originally from Vars Market, Pembrokeshire. Loose on clean older ribbon.

Good VF Condition $250

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