Vimy Militaria - Second World War Medals

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

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Second World War Medals

One. Memorial Cross (GVI). Named to C. 78083 Pte. C.R. HAIGHT. Clifford Ray Haight was born on 3 June 1915 in Lindsay, Ontario. He enrolled in the Prince of Wales Rangers (AF) in the Canadian Active Service Force at Peterborough, Ontario on 28 March 1942. Deploying overseas to England in February 1943, he joined Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 13 May. He was deployed to Italy in late June 1943, disembarking in early July, and joining his unit on 28 September 1943. Haight fought with the PPCLI until he was killed in action on 23 May 1944 during the fighting to break through the Hitler Line near Monte Cassino. He is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Italy. Cross is loose with no ribbon or case present; Haight is entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, and the War Medal 1939-45.

VF Condition $850

One. Memorial Cross (GVI). Named to C.121699 Pte. G.L. MILLER. Gilbert Lawrence Miller was born on 25 December 1921 in Prescott, Ontario. He enrolled in the Canadian Active Service Force at Kingston, Ontario on 11 July 1943 in the No 3 District Depot Officer Training Centre, with his attestation form noting that he had served with The Brockville Rifles A&T Staff OTC as a Private since April 1941. He embarked for the United Kingdom in February 1944, joining 1 Canadian Infantry Replacement Unit on 14 March. Miller was deployed to Italy as a reinforcement on 27 March 1944, joining the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada on 25 May. He died of wounds received in action on 1 June 1944. Miller is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Cassino War Cemetery, Cassino, Italy. Cross is suspended on original slightly distressed ribbon; Miller is also entitled to the 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, and the War Medal 1939-45.

Good VF Condition $800

One. Memorial Cross (GVI). Named to H.9555 Pte. W. STACK. Walter Stack was born on 9 February 1915 in Lorette, Manitoba. He enrolled in the Canadian Active Service Force at No. 10 District Depot in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 28 April 1943. Stack's enrollment paperwork notes that he was married, and his wife, Ada, gave birth to their daughter, Judy, just a few days before he enrolled. He was working as a tractor operator when he joined the Canadian Army, and his file notes that he spoke English, French and Ukrainian. Stack was deployed to the UK in April 1944, arriving in England on 12 April, before being quickly embarked for service in Italy in May 1944 as a reinforcement for the Royal Canadian Regiment, which he joined in the field on 25 June. Stack was wounded in action on 4 September 1944, receiving a shrapnel wound (slight) to his left leg. After returning to action on 10 September, he fought with the RCR until he was wounded again, receiving a pentrating wound to the abdomen on 17 September 1944. Stack died of wounds on 18 September 1944. Originally interred south-east of Rimini, near Ravenna, his remains were later moved and reinterred in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's Gradara War Cemetery, Gradara, Italy. Cross is suspended on original purple ribbon in case of issue with cardboard transmittal box (this slightly damaged, with one side torn) and trasmittal card addressed to Mrs. A.O. Stack, W Stack's widow.

EF Condition $1000

One. Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with CANADA bar (GVI). Named to S.M. (W.O.CL. 1) J.S.G. PRATT R.C.A. Pratt's service number was P-4326; he received his LSGC in Canadian Army GO 509 of November 1944. James Standen Glover Pratt was born in Liverpool, England on 6 October 1906. He attested into the Royal Canadian Artillery at Halifax, Nova Scotia on 5 May 1930, aged 23 years old. He had previously served in the RCA from 24 January 1925 to 7 August 1929. He was posted overseas to the United Kingdom from July 1940 to June 1944, serving in senior roles aas a clerk at Canadian Miliary Headquarters in London and at other formations. He retired from the Permanent Force in October 1946. Pratt was also entitled to the Defence Medal, the Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, and the War Medal 1939-45. His place of residence after retirement was 32 Chestnut Street, Pictou, Nova Scotia; his CVSM was sent to his widow there in 1952, suggesting he passed away sometime before then. With electronic copy of service record that includes paperwork from his earlier enlistments in the Permanent Force in the 1920s. Medal is loose on clean older ribbon.

EF Condition $350

Nine. 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, War Medal 1939-45, UN Korea Medal with KOREA suspender, UN Emergency Force (UNEF) Medal, Canadian Peacekeeping Service Medal, Efficiency Medal (GVI) with CANADA suspension with bar. UN Korea named SC 29716 A LINDEN; EM named CPL. A. LINDEN RCIC. Medals are loose on lengths of mostly clean older ribbons, with the CPSM retaining its original issue brooch. UN Korea, UNEF and Efficiency Medal are plated. This group of medals was purchased together, but it is unclear whether they all belonged to the same soldier, and the lot is unresearched.

VF Condition $700

Family Group: Brother 1 - 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal (Canadian issue), Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas clasp, War Medal 1939-45, and Birk's Memorial Bar. Bar is named SGT P.F. LATHAM RCA DIED IN HIS COUNTRY'S SERVICE 30 MAY 1944. Accompanied by five original portrait photos of Percy Latham in uniform (one smaller image in a photo studio folder, a larger 8" x 11" colourized version of the latter, a loose small image taken when he was a Lance Bombardier, another portrait photo the same size without headdress, and two wallet sized images), a press clipping with details of his death, condolence slip from Buckingham Palace, condolence slip from Canadian Minister of National Defence, Memorial Scroll from the city of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, an image of his original grave marker, transmittal slip for his medals, a silk handkerchief with UK and US flags and a personalized dedication, and a silk Royal Artillery themed embrodiered handkerchief. Brother 2 - Birk's Memorial Bar. Bar is named SGT H.R. LATHAM RCAF DIED IN HIS COUNTRY'S SERVICE 10 OCT 1944. Accompanied by two original portait photos of him in uniform, once with cap in a photo studio folder, the other a larger 8" x 11" colourized photo in civilian clothes, condolence slip from Buckingham Palace, condolence slip from Canadian Minister of National Defence, and a RCAF Bible inscribed to him. L.7 Sgt Percy Franklin Latham joined the Canadian Active Service Force in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 4 September 1939. He was 19 years old, and had been serving in the 77th Battery, RCA in Moose Jaw since 1937. He was transferred to 3rd Field Regiment RCA in December 1939 in Aldershot, Nova Scotia, before embarking for overseas service. Arriving in Glasgow, Scotland in mid-December, he was promoted to Bombardier in June 1940. Recerting to the rank of Gunner at his own request in June 1941, he continued training in England, qualifying as an Assistant Surveyor in March 1943, before deploying with his unit to Italy in June. Landing on 10 July 1943, he received a series of promotions, being made an acting Lance Bombardier on landing, and an Acting Bombardier on 20 July, being confirmed in the rank of Bombardier in October, and made an Acting Sergeant in December. He was comfirmed in this rank in March 1944, just a couple of months before he died of wounds received in action in Frosinoni, Italy, during his unit's approach to Rome, on 30 May 1944. Just weeks before, on 12 May, the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery provided fire support for the fourth and final Allied assault on Monte Cassino. The war diarist recorded that this was “the biggest barrage we or anyone else here has ever taken part in…”. Percy Latham is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves' Cassino War Cemetery, Italy. Latham's younger brother, Horace Roger Latham, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in Vancouver, British Columbia on 17 August 1943, being assigned service number K.268113. He was 18 years old at the time, with previous service experience in 59 Air Cadet Squadron. After training in Canada, he qualified as an Air Gunner on 12 March 1944, before embarking for England in May, and being appointed to the rank of T/Sergeant. Latham was serving with 1667 Heavy Conversion Unit RAF, based at RAF Sandtoft when he was pronounced missing, presumed dead, on 10 October 1944. He was a member of the crew of Halifax LL-501, which was returning from a night cross-country exercise when the crew mistook a bombing range for an airfield. The aircraft went out of control at a low altitude, hit a river bank at a narrow angle and sank at the mouth of the River Trent, England, where it joins the Humber Estuary. Latham's body was not recovered. He is commemorated on the Runnymede Air Forces Memorial, Surrey, England.

Good VF Condition $1300

One. Member of the Order of the British Empire (GVI), Civil Division, in monogrammed case of issue. On original ribbon. The case contained in what appears to be its original shipping box.

EF Condition $350

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 $275

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

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