Commonwealth Medals - Second World War

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

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Second World War Medals

Seven. 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas bar and Bomber Command bar, War Medal 1939-45, Memorial Cross (GVI) and Shell Oil Company of Canada 'On Active Service' Medal. SWW medals unnamed and contained in boxes of issue, as is the Bomber Command bar. Memorial Cross named P.O. G.A. GAGNON J.17025, and Shell Medal named G.A. GAGNON. J17025 P/O Gerald Alban Gagnon served in 427 Sqn, RCAF. He died on 26 June 1943 and is buried at Bergen, Netherlands. Gagnon was one of the pilots of Handley Page Halifax V Serial #DK135, which was participating in a bombing raid on Gelsenkirchen in the Ruhr Valley when it was shot down by a German night fighter and abandoned near Alkmaar, Holland. Of 473 aircraft in the raid, 9 aircraft from 427 Sqn particpated, and his plane was one of 30 lost of all those taking part.

Good VF Condition $1500

Two. Permanent Force of the Empire Beyond the Seas Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (GV) and Meritorious Service Medal (GVI). PFEBSLSGC Medal named Q.M.S. (W.O.CL. II) W.H. HOBSON R.C.E. and MSM re-named WO1 (SM) W.H. HOBSON RCE. Renaming of MSM is in small impressed capitals and appears officially done; medal used has been erased/skimmed, and was likely one that was returned undeliverable and re-used, given that stocks would have been dwindling when it was issued in 1948. MSM is sewn to a ribbon bar with a CVSM ribbon, while PFEBSLSGC is mounted separately as worn. William Henry Hobson was born in Birmingham, England on 19 July 1886. He emigrated to Canada in 1911, and joined the Permanent Force Royal Canadian Engineers shortly after arriving here. He was a fitter, and during the First World War, he served in the CEF in Canada only between 22 June 1918 and 31 March 1919, his trade listed as mechanist/engine driver. He was employed at South Barracks, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Hobson re-entered the Permanent Force RCE at war's end, and his LSGC was gazetted on 24 July 1926 in Army General Order (G.O.) #63, p. 268. Hobson's obituary indicates he served for 35 years, suggesting that he retired c. 1946, and this may explain the CVSM ribbon that is attached to his MSM ribbon bar. He later received the MSM, likely after retirement as was typical given restrictions on the number of these medals that could be issued, and his award was gazetted on 19 June 1948 in Canada Gazette Issue # 78, p.2458, with the notation indicating his service number was P-10043. More research possible to confirm the nature of Hobson's apparent Second World War service and any further medal entitlement. A very scarce GVI Meritorious Service Medal to a Permanent Force Warrant Officer.

VF Condition $600

Eight. 1939-1945 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp, War Medal 1939-1945, United Nations Service Medal for Korea, United Nations Operation in the Congo "Organization des Nations Unies au Congo" Medal (ONUC), with clasp - CONGO, and Canadian Forces Decoration (GVI) with two clasps. UN Korea medal named to ZG 853 F.A. MANNING, CD named CAPT F.A. MANNING, remainder un-named as issued. Major Floyd Manning served in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps as an officer during the Second World War, joining a week after war broke out and participating in the Normandy campaign from early July 1944 until war's end. He served with 57 Transport Company in Japan during the Korean War from January-August 1953, and in the Congo with 57 Signals Squadron from August 1962, retiring in 1967. Medals swing-mounted as worn. Group is accompanied by an electronic copy of Manning's service file. A nice early Canadian peacekeeping group to a long serving officer.

Good VF Condition $600

One. Efficiency Medal (GVI) with CANADA suspender. Named to SGT. H. WILSON R.C.A.. Un-researched. Loose on original ribbon.

Good VF Condition $200

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

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. 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

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

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

Eight. 1939/45 Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45, Canadian Korea Medal, and UN Korea Medal with bar KOREA. SWW medals are un-named as issued, and Korea pair is named to D-801026 D.G. MAC DONALD With copy of service file indicating that David Gilchrist MacDonald enrolled in the Royal Canadian Artillery at Montreal, Quebec on 10 January 1941, with service number D-118085. He arrived in England on 19 April 1941, and served in Italy as a member of 5 Medium Regiment RCA from 8 November 1943 until 11 March 1945, when he deployed to France, finishing the war there. Gilchrist volunteered again during the Korean War, enlisting in the Canadian Army Special Force at Montreal on 16 August 1950 with service number D-801026. He served overseas in Korea with the 2nd Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment from 22 April 1941 until 4 May 1952. Medals are plated and court-mounted for wear on original soiled ribbons.

Good VF Condition $500

Five. British War Medal 1914-20, Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45, and Memorial Cross (GVI). BWM named to 722137 PTE. H.R. ALLAN. 108-CAN. INF., Second World War medals un-named as issued, and Memorial Cross (GVI) named to M. 26927 Tpr. H.R. ALLAN. Allan was underaged when he joined the CEF during the First World War, and only served in England, receiving the British War Medal with rare naming to the 108th Battalion, which was broken up to provide reinforcements to other battalions at the front. Allan later re-enlisted at the outset of the Second World War, serving in the Calgary Regiment as a Trooper. He was killed on active service in England during training on 7 January 1942, dying of injuries sustained during the roll over of a bren gun carrier. He is buried in the CWGC's Brockwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England. Details of his death, as well as some photos of him, can be found on VAC's Canadian Virtual War Memorial website. Medals are loose on original ribbons. A tragic group to a soldier of the Calgary Regiment with service in two conflicts.

Good VF Condition $800

One. Memorial Cross (GVI) Named to B.43613 PTE. A.J. PATTERSON. Alvin John Patterson was born in Tecumseh, Ontario on 7 March 1908. He was living in Hamilton when he enrolled in 6th LAA Regt RCA on 24 August 1942. His next of kin was indicated to be his mother, Mary Jane Patterson, who lived at 63 Hess Street North in Hamilton. He left Canada for England on 29 March 1943, arriving 5 April. He served with 3rd LAA Regt RCA from 27 April 1943, and was embarked for France as an artillery reinforcement on 17 July 1944, landing on the 18th. He joined 6 LAA Regt, RCA, and appears to have returned to the UK in October, returning to France as an infantry reinforcement in late December 1944, and joining the South Saskatchewan Regiment on 25 December. Patterson died in an accident, falling from the balcony of his hotel room at a leave centre in Brussels, Belgium on 11 May 1945, and fracturing his skull. A Court of Inquiry determined that his death was accidental. Patterson is buried in Evere Civilian Cemetery, Brussels, Belgium. A tragic Canadian Army casualty of the South Saskatchewan Regiment, who perished shortly after VE Day.

EF Condition $500