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

What's New!

Welcome to the first Vimy Militaria update of 2024! This month's additions, in keeping with recent updates, include a wide variety of material. Highlights include some nicer Canadian Second World War and Cold War era long service groups, including one to a WO1 from the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa, and another to an Air Commodore. Victorian material includes a Crimea Medal and Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal pair to a commissioned QM in the Royal Artillery who served for several years in the 1840s here in Canada, as well as a range of other medals from this era. There are also a good number of First World War groups and singles, to both Canadian and British recipients, and a couple of Canadian Second World War casualty groups as well. 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

  

   Six. Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45 (Canadian issue), Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, Special Service Medal with NATO*OTAN bar, 1953 Coronation Medal, and Canadian Forces Decoration (GVI). CD named to G/C M.B. MACKINNON. Air Commodore Maurice Bremner MacKinnon was born on 18 March 1906 in Charlottetown, PEI. He served in the Canadian Militia in the 1920s, with a summary of his service indicating time in the Canadian Artillery from 1921-23, the Signal Corps from 1923-24, and the COTC from 1924-27. He served as a Supply Officer in the RCAF, in the RCAF Special Reserve with service number C2545 between 24 August 1940 and 3 January 1946, and in the RCAF (Regular) from 1 October 1946 - 10 January 1963. His RCAF service included time on exchange with the USAF (HQ AMC USAF) from 1947-49, and at SHAPE from 1951-54. Group is court-mounted as worn, and accompanied by service records and a black and white 8 x 10 portrait photo of MacKinnon taken when he was an Air Commodore. An attractive Cold War Canadian senior officer's group.

Good VF Condition $700

    

  Five. Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45 (Canadian issue), Canada Centennial Medal, and Efficiency Medal (GVI). EM is named C.S.M. (W.O. CL. 2) W.A.H. DONALDSON C.H. OF. O. Group is accompanied by Donaldson's War Service Badge numbered 506270, and the card for same, named to him with rank R.S.M. With copy service record that indicates Donaldson went to Iceland with the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa and served with the unit as a CSM in the UK. He was sent back to Canada in 1943 escorting POWs to attend to family matters (undisclosed). He remained behind here as they could not get him another position at his confirmed rank in the UK once he was ready to return, and he finished the war as a District RSM. Donaldson had pre-war service with the CH of O from 1936-39 as a drummer, and had also served as an NCO in the Permanent Force RCAF in its very earliest days between 1926-28 as an AC2 (his service number was 57!) Medals are mounted as worn and plated, less the Centennial Medal, which is loose and unplated; this medal had been removed from the mounted group. An interesting group to a long serving senior NCO.

Good VF Condition $700

  

  Two. Crimea Medal 1854-55 with clasps 'ALMA', 'SEBASTOPOL' and Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (VR). Crimea named QR MR H. PENSON. RL ARTY in engraved capitals, and LSGC named STAFF SERJT H. PENSON RL ARTY in impressed capitals. A summary of Penson's service found in WO 76-376 indicates that he served in Canada between August 1843 and June 1849. This record also states that he served on the staff of Lord Raglan, and later Generals Simpson and Codrington, throughout the entire war, with his dates of service in Turkey and the Crimea given as 24 April 1854 to 2 August 1856. His clasp entitlement noted in the record of service matches that found on his medal, although the medal roll entries for him suggests that he earned the Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann clasps as a Sergeant, 1st Company, 11th Battalion, W Battery. He appears on the roll of the Staff of the Royal Artillery under Dacres for his Sebastopol clasp, as a Sergeant. Penson was commissioned QM on 11 October 1856. Crimea is loose on clean original ribbon that has been sewn together for wear, while LSGC is loose on a clean modern replacement ribbon. Much more research possible, particularly with repsect to Penson's commissioning and his service in Canada.

Good VF Condition $1000

  

  Three. British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal and Colonial Auxiliary Force Long Service Medal (GV). Named to 639606 A.CPL. A. TRIPP 38-CAN. INF. on pair, and to PTE. A. TRIPP GREN. REGT. on CAFLSM. Archie Tripp was born in Prescott, Ontario on 2 April 1887. He was a painter in civilian life when he joined the 156th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on 14 February 1916. On enrollment, he listed his wife, Nettie, as his next of kin, and indicated he had 10 years of previous military service as a member of the 56th Regiment of the Canadian Militia. Tripp served with the 38th Battalion in France, joining the unit on 24 May 1917. He received a gunshot wound to the head on 30 June 1917, with his wound being serious enough that he was invalided to Canada on 16 November 1917, remaining under medical treatment at the military hospital in Kingston, Ontario until he was discharged from the CEF on 8 March 1918. His Colonial Auxiliary Force Long Service Medal, earned as a member of the Grenville Regiment, was announced in General Order 33 of 1933. Archie Tripp died on 18 June 1962. Medals are loose on original ribbons, each with glue residue from being previously mounted. There are two large EKs on Tripp's CAFLSM near his rank, as can be seen in the accompanying images, but medals are otherwise in good VF condition. A scarce long service group to a Grenville Regiment soldier.

Good VF Condition $500

 

  One. 219th Bn Highlanders CEF enamelled silver sweetheart pin. Reverse pin-backed and marked STERLING SILVER with a small three letter maker mark SSE.

Good VF Condition $150

    

  One. Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (VR). Named to 1169. Qr. MR. SGT. W. KERR DORSET: R. in engraved sloped capitals. Kerr's LSGC was issued in October 1886, according to the WO102 roll held at the UK's National Archives. He was commissioned as a Quarter Master on 28 August 1886, and promoted to Captain on 29 August 1896, retiring on 11 August 1900. His service record indicates he served in the East Indies, Egypt and Malta; he was in Egypt between December 1885 and August 1886, but does not seem to have qualified for the Egypt Medal, nor did he earn any service medals during his time in India. Kerr spent enough time in India that he learned to speak Hindustani, according to his service record; he left India 11 March 1897, and completed his service in England. Medal is loose on clean short length of original ribbon. Much more research possible.

Good VF Condition $175

 

  One. 1914-15 Star Named to 24533 PTE. N.C. STEWART 13/CAN: INF: Norman Charles Stewart was born in Liverpool, England on 27 March 1888. He was working as an iron moulder when he enrolled in the 5th Royal Highlanders of Canada in Montreal, being attested into the 13th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier, Quebec on 25 September 1914. He deployed to France with his unit and the remainder of the 1st Canadian Division in February 1915, and was killed in action during the Second Battle of Ypres on 24 April 1915. Stewart has no known grave, and he is commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Menin Gate, Ypres, Belgium.

Good VF Condition $150

   

  One. Afghanistan Medal 1878-80. Named to 1649 PTE. H. NOON. 2/60TH FOOT. Loose on clean modern ribbon. Unresearched.

EF Condition $275

 

  One. Air Crew Europe Star. Un-named as issued. This star was purchased by the previous owner from Eugene Ursual here in Ottawa back in the early 1990s; it is loose on a glue-stiffened piece of original ribbon.

Good VF Condition $550

  

  One. British War Medal 1914-20. Named to 183005 A.SJT. T.J. WILLIAMS. 89-CAN.INF. Loose on clean older ribbon, accompanied by a single 'CANADA' shoulder title. Thomas John Williams was born in Abererch, Carnarvonshire, North Wales on 22 August 1878. He was working as a cotton manufacturer, and claimed past military service in the 15th Light Horse, 23rd Welsh Fusiliers and 2nd Manchester Volunteers when he joined the 89th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force at Calgary, Alberta on 2 November 1915. Williams served in England only, with the bulk of his service time there spent at the Canadian Army Pay Office in London. A scarcer CEF battalion medal.

Good VF Condition $150

  

  One. King's South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasps SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902. Named to 23544 SERJT. R. WILLS. R.E. Loose on older faded original ribbon. Unresearched.

Good VF Condition $140

  

  Six. 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas bar, War Medal 1939-45, and Memorial Cross (GVI). Memorial Cross named to A.11453 Pte. R.B. LANG. Electronic copy of Lang's service file which accompanies the group indicates that Ronald Bell Lang died of wounds received in action on 22 January 1944, while serving with the 48th Highlanders in Italy. Lang was born in Owen Sound, Ontario in 1913, and he joined the Perth Regiment (MG) at Stratford, Ontario on 26 September 1939, indicating that he was employed as a knitter at the time of his enrollment, and that he had 2 years of previous military service with the "Owen Sound Grey's" back in 1935. Lang was single, listing his mother, who lived in Owen Sound, as his next of kin. served overseas with the Perth Regiment and the 3rd Canadian Infantry Replacement Unit in England from November 1941-October 1943, when he embarked for the Mediterranean Theatre, joining the 48th Highlanders on 9 November 1943. Lang was wounded on 21 January 1944, dying of his wounds the following day. He is buried in the Commmonwealth War Graves Commission's Moro River Canadian War Cemetery, Italy. Lang's medals and the Memorial Cross issued in his memory, which were sent to his mother, are accompanied by his identity disk and a War Service Badge numbered 1252593 (likely not Lang's, but possibly a relatives).

Good VF Condition $1100

 

   One. Memorial Cross (EIIR). Named to D-127288 CPL. M.L.P.A.M. BELLE-ISLE. In original case of issue, with cardboard shipping box and card. Un-researched, but likely awarded to the next of kin of a soldier who died after the Second World War of a cause attributed to service.

Good VF Condition $250

 

  One. 48th Highlanders enamelled silver sweetheart pin. Reverse pin backed and marked STERLING.

Good VF Condition $90

 

  One. A Second World War 1st issue Canadian War Service badge copper blank. An unfinished and scarce example of this badge, described on p. 103 of Robbie Johnson's Canadian War Service Badges 1914-54. A recent example we sold was finished without enamelling; this version is a different variety which has had red enamel added to the maple leafs.

Good VF Condition $60

  

   One. Royal Canadian Humane Association Medal. Engraved on reverse "Awarded to Gilbert Gilmour for conspicuous courage in saving a man from drowning in the River St Lawrence in September 1903". Accompanied by copies of some period newspaper clippings from the Montreal Gazette of 3 September and 24 December 1903, which describe the circumstances of Gilmour's act of bravery. The rescue for which he received this award took place on 2 September 1903 near Longue Pointe in Montreal's East End. Gilmour was in a rowing skiff at the time of the incident, and spent about 15 minutes rescuing the man, who had suffered from cramps while bathing nearer to shore and had been swept downstream. The drowning man resisted Gilmour's attempts to save him, striking the latter in the face at one point with his elbow and almost knocking him unconscious. Gilmour apparently saved another man from drowning sometime in the previous month, and the rescue for which this medal was awarded was his fifth. Medal suspender is loose and moves freely around the circumference of the medal, and could benefit from being crimped. The medal is missing its ribbon, and has some verdegris on the obverse, but is otherwise in ...

F Condition $875

   

  Three. 1914-15 Star, British War Medal 1914-20, and Victory Medal. Named to 106004 PTE A. BARRETT. 1/CAN.MTD.RIF. on Star, and to same number, name, but rank A.L.CPL. and unit 1-C.M.R. on pair. Alexander Barrett was born in Belfast, Ireland on 30 November 1880. A plumber in civilian life, he claimed 18 months previous service in the Imperial Yeomanry when he enrolled in the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles at Winnipeg, Manitoba on 13 Janaury 1915. Barrett arrived in England 15 June 1915, proceeding to France on 22 September 1915 with the 1st CMR. He was transferred to the 2nd CMR on 10 January 1916, and then to the Military Mounted Police, 3rd Canadian Division HQ, in February 1916. He appears to have not been a good fit in this role, as his record notes he was transferred back to 2nd CMR from the MMP on 31 August 1916, the request for this being signed by Barrett who appended his signature with the words 'under protest'. Barrett received a gunshot wound to the right arm on 11 October 1916, and was returned to England to convalesce; he spent time at the Canadian Reserve Cavalry Regiment before being returned overseas to France for duty, joining the Fort Garry Horse in France on 7 December 1917. Barrett was wounded again on 30 January 1918, a bomb wound to the face which affected his forehead and nose, and this ended his service at the front. Medals loose on clean original ribbons. Group is accompanied by an original set of 4 CEF cloth service stripes, two wound stripes in brass with backing plates, two CEF general service buttons, and a CEF Class A War Service Badge numbered 168271 on reverse.

Good VF Condition $550

  

  One. Air Efficiency Award (GVI). Named to C37391 P/O R. N. LYEL. This award was insitituted in 1942, and eligibility included members who had joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Auxiliary or Auxiliary Active Air Force Reserve before 1 September 1939. It was superceded by the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1951, and only 95 were awarded to Canadians. Lyel's award was published in Air Force Routine Order (AFRO) 01/03/46.

VF Condition $600

 

  One. Memorial Cross (GVI). Named to F.S. PILOT J.P. RICHARDSON R-58721. James Patrick Richardson was a Flight Sergeant Pilot, originally from Vancouver, BC, who served with 142 Squadron RAF. He was killed when the Welington Bomber he was piloting crashed during a forced landing as a result of losing engine power during bad weather. His aircraft crashed at Scole Road, Diss, Norfolk, on 14 July 1942, with only the rear gunner surviving. Richardson is buried in the CWGC's Brockwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, United Kingdom. Cross has been modified with pinback for wear. Cross is accompanied by an electronic research file, including a copy of Richardson's service file, as well as some images and press clippings found online.

Good VF Condition $500

 

  One. Empty box for a First World War period Canadian Memorial Cross. Contains the card that accompanied the cross when it was sent to next of kin of members of the Air Services, this slightly bent from being kept inside the box, and with a 1/4" tear at bottom left. Useful for housing a Memorial Cross issued to commemorate a Canadian pilot or observer.

Good VF Condition $45

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