A Birks Canadian Parachute Corps Pin

A First War Trio to the 24th Canadian Infantry - 1914-15 Star (65466 Pte G.R. HOVELL. 24/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (65466 A. CPL. G.R. HOVELL. 24-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (65466 A. CPL. G.R. HOVELL. 24-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed, better than very fine. Accompanied by a CD containing seventeen pages with copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records and Medical Records.   Footnote: George Ross Hovell was born on January 16, 1893 in Aubroath, Scotland. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 24th Infantry Battalion "Victoria Rifles" in Montreal, Quebec, on November 2, 1914, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Mrs. A. Hovell of Vancouver, British Columbia (later having it changed to Mrs. Henrietta Hovell of London, England), stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married (later changed to "yes") and that his trade was that of Lithographer. The Battalion was raised and mobilized in Montreal under the authority of G.O. 36, March 15, 1915, Hovell arriving in England aboard the S.S. Cameronian on May 20th. After four months, he embarked for the French theatre with the 24th Infantry Battalion, on September 15, 1915, arriving in Boulogne, France on the 16th. A little over five weeks later, while with the 24th Battalion, he sustained an injury to his left foot while in the trenches at Kemmel, Belgium, on October 22, 1915, in what was described the next day at No. 6 Canadian Field Ambulance on the 23rd, as a "Fallen Ankle". He was transferred to the Australian Hospital at Wimereux on the 26th and diagnosed with "Flat Foot", after which he was transferred to No. 15 Casualty Clearing Station on the 26th, placed on No. 17 Ambulance Train and sent to Boulogne, then invalided to England aboard the H.S. Cambria on the 27th. He was taken on strength by the 39th Battalion at West Sandling, transferred to Great North Central Hospital at Holloway, beginning a series of hospital visits that included Chelsea Hospital, 1st London General Hospital R.A.M.C., the Canadian Convalescent Hospital at Bromley and, by February 15, 1916, the Canadian Convalescent Assembly Centre at Bath. He returned to Bromley where he was discharged on March 30th and established on command there, "Waiting for special (a) boot." for his "Flat Foot" and placed "On light duty." Once the boot arrived, he was transferred to the Duke of Edinburgh's R.C. Hospital at Hyde Park, then later, to the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire Hospital in London, where, on November 18, 1916, he was also credited with having completed his two years' service with Good Conduct, entitling him to wear one Good Conduct Badge. He continued his rehabilitation, as he was admitted to the Petrograd Red Cross Hospital in London on November 25, 1918. It was during his time at Petrograd that he was granted permission to marry on April 23, 1919, marrying on June 4th at St. Mark's Church, Dalston, London N.E. and named Acting Corporal, with his new unit, the Canadian Army Medical Corps on May 1st. In his Medical History of an Invalid, dated June 26, 1919 at No. 3 Southampton Street, London, it made note of the "rupture of ligaments of (the) left foot", that occurred on October 22, 1916 at Kemmel, Belgium, due to the twisting of the foot. It went on to state that the "Left foot is very flat and is inverted. It is weak, not being able to support his weight on the toes of that foot. The foot is rigid and arch cannot be produced by pressure.", that the "Patient states that he can walk only one mile or one and one half miles without pain. That while in the trenches in October 1915, he wrenched his foot. He was then unable to bear any weight on his left foot and reported sick. Has been under hospital treatment about five months but foot is still flat and is painful in walking. It has not improved lately." It was determined that his disability was to be "Permanent". Hovell was placed on command to the 2nd Canadian District Depot and was struck off strength and discharged in England by K.B. & O. at the Canadian Red Cross Officers' Hospital on October 1, 1919.

A Second War Medal Group to the  Canadian Women's Army Corp - Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; and Canadian Forces' Decoration, QEII (SGT E.C. BLACKBURN). Naming is officially engraved on the edge of the CFD, the others are un-named. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, original ribbons, silver medals are plated, light contact, very fine. Accompanied by a miniature group of same (Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (18.5 mm); War Medal 1939-1945 (18.7 mm); and Canadian Forces' Decoration, QEII (18.7 mm), mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, original ribbons); a Canadian Legion British Empire Service League Medal (two-piece construction, sterling silver and enamels, hallmarked, maker marked "SCULLY LTD", marked "STERLING" and engraved "Mrs. E. Blackburn ONTARIO COMMAND" on the reverse, 27 mm x 30 mm, original ribbon with "COUNCILLOR" clasp, pinback hanger inscribed "PAST OFFICER"); along with four Large and four Small Canadian Women's Army Corps Buttons (maker marked "UNITED CARR CANADA" on their reverses, 22.7 mm and 16.3 mm respectively, intact loops). Very fine.

A 1911 Daily Mail Trophy Medal to 21st Batt. CEF Commanding Officer DSO - Silver, engraver marked "LR" on the obverse, engraved "CAPT. T.F. ELMITT. M.R.A. 97. 20.5.11." on the edge, obverse illustrating two cherubs in loose robes holding a globe, with the Western Hemisphere facing the viewer, reverse inscribed "DAILY MAIL TROPHY COMPETITION 1911" inside an open-ended wreath of laurel leaves, 44.3 mm, dark patina, very light contact, extremely fine. Accompanied by a purple ribbon angled across a white satin field with cardboard backer, inscribed "LIEUT. T.F. ELMITT, 43rd D.C.O.R." screen printed in gold-coloured ink on the ribbon, 78 mm x 141 mm.   Footnote: Thomas Francis Elmitt was born on January 24, 1871 in Ottawa, Ontario. Elmitt is documented as having been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, as a Sergeant with the Governor General's Foot Guards and as a Captain with the 43rd Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles. He was called to service, as part Canadian Expeditionary Force, signing his Attestation Paper as an Officer, on November 9, 1914, in Kingston, Ontario, at the age of 43 years and 9 months, naming his next-of-kin as Thomas Elmitt of Ottawa, stating that he was with an Active Militia, that he had fifteen years' previous service with the 43rd Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles and three years' previous service with the Governor General's Foot Guards, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Lumber Merchant. Three months before embarking for Europe, Elmitt was promoted to Major on February 9, 1915. He embarked Montreal, Quebec aboard the R.M.S. Metagama, on May 6, 1915, disembarking in Devonport, England and proceeding to West Sandling Camp near Hythe, Kent on the 15th. Four months after arriving in England, he embarked Folkestone aboard the St. Seiriol for service in the French theatre, on September 14, 1915, disembarking in Boulogne the following day. The following Summer, he was slightly wounded in the field, on June 28, 1916. He was detached to the General List, Headquarters, Canadian Training Depot, Shorncliffe on proceeding to England for a Staff Course at Aldershot, on October 14, 1916 and after three months, was taken on strength, on having returned from the course at Aldershot, on January 7, 1917. Major Elmitt was called to action in the field, named Major (Acting-Lieutenant Colonel) Elmitt, commanding the 21st Infantry Battalion from May 9, 1917 to July 6, 1917 (London Gazette 30152). He took over the battalion in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel Elmer W. Jones DSO (with Bar), while Jones was convalescing in England from wounds received in the attack of Vimy Ridge, on April 9, 1917 (Jones returned to lead the battalion after Elmitt's departure and was later Killed in Action on August 8, 1918). Elmitt relinquished the acting rank of Lieutenant Colonel on July 6, 1917 and ceased to command the battalion (London Gazette 30253). He was struck off strength of the 21st Battalion and posted to the Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot at Seaford for duty with the Canadian Forestry Corps, on October 28, 1917, taken on strength at the Base Depot, Canadian Forestry Corps, Sunningdale, placed under command of 52 District Headquarters and subsequently struck off strength of the Base Depot Canadian Forestry Corps the same day. Elmitt was named Temporary Major on the 29th (London Gazette 30593). He ceased to be under the command of No. 52 District of the Canadian Forestry Corps, then taken on strength of 132 Company of the Forestry Corps on November 23, 1917. Major Elmitt was brought to the notice of the Secretary State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in the field, on December 28, 1917, as he was Mentioned in Despatches by Sir Douglas Haig, as announced in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 30448 of Tuesday, December 28, 1917, on Friday, December 28, 1917, page 13571. He was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order, as announced in the Supplement to the London Gazette 30450 of Friday, December 28, 1917, on Tuesday, January 1, 1918, page 28. He was posted to Headquarters of the Canadian Forestry Corps from 132 Company, on May 31, 1919, returning to the Base Depot, Canadian Forestry Corps on July 25, 1919, attached from the Officer's Pool "O" Wing to "M" Wing on the 26th, then transferred to "R" Wing at Witley on August 23rd, for return to Canada. He was struck off strength on September 3rd, embarking Tilbury aboard the S.S. Minnekahda and taken on strength of CEF Canada, District Depot No. 11 on the 6th, arriving in Canada on the 14th. He was struck off strength of District Depot No. 11 and was discharged upon demobilization on October 6, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England, France and Belgium. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After the war, Elmitt re-joined the 43rd Regiment, Duke of Cornwall's Own Rifles, which became the Ottawa Highlanders in 1922, and later, the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa in 1936 and assisted in the regiment's reorganization. He was later promoted to Colonel and was on the Reserve of Officers for a number of years thereafter. He married Elizabeth A. Covell (July 26, 1892 to January 10, 1976) and together, they had two children: a son, Frederick Elmitt and a daughter, Theresa Elmitt. In his civilian life, he was engaged in the lumber business in the Ottawa district and at one time, was Vice President of the Montreal Lumber Dealers' Association, along with being a representative for the Singer Manufacturing Company. Elmitt died on February 25, 1938, in Ottawa, Ontario, at the age of 67 and is buried with his wife in Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa.  

First War Pair to the Canadian Garrison Artillery - British War Medal (305115 A. CPL. A. WEBSTER. C.G.A.); and Victory Medal (305115 A. CPL. A. WEBSTER. C.G.A.). Naming is officially impressed. Unmounted, very crisp detail, dark patina on the BWM, original ribbons sewn at the ends, light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by a CD containing twenty-two pages with copies of his IndexCards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Discharge Certificates, Particulars of Family of an Officer or Man Enlisted in C.E.F. Document, plus a letter to and correspndence from the National Personnel Records Centre, Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa (dated October 18, 1986, from John W, Miller, inquiring about his family history, in regards to the war service of his grandfather, Alexander Webster, and his great-uncle Charles Webster). Footnote: Alexander Webster was born on October 10, 1887 in Rothiemay, Banff, Scotland, the son of Barbara Thorpe of Winnipeg, Manitoba, whom had remarried after the death of his father. He signed his Attestation Paper on October 23. 1915, in Brantford Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was married to Mrs. Margaret Webster (nee Glenie) of Brantford, Ontario and that his trade was that of Electrician. He had four children, a son, Edward, and three daughters, Barbara, Helen and Violet. Webster was transferred to the 42nd Battery on December 17, 1915 and was now a Gunner. He was transferred again, this time to the 54th Battery on March 11, 1916 and then to the 69th Overseas Battery on May 31st. It was at this time that he was being treated for Rheumatism from May 1 to July 6, 1916, spending thirty-seven days in hospital at E4 Camp in Toronto. There is a note still attached to his Medical History Sheet indicating that he had two sets of anti-typhoid innoculations in early July 1916. Webster embarked Canada aboard the Empress of Britain on July 16, 1916, disembarking in England on the 25th. He was taken on strength by the CFA Reserve Battalion at Shorncliffe upon arrival. He saw two advances in rank that fall, as he was appointed Acting Bombadier on October 24, 1916 and Acting Corporal on November 17, 1916. Webster was struck off strength to the 2nd Reserve Artillery on June 22, 1917 and reverted to the rank of Gunner on August 23rd at Shorncliffe. Two days later he was drafted to the 8th Siege Battery and sent to France on August 25th, landing there on the 26th. One month later, he was struck off strength to the 54th Battery on September 27th (the 54th becoming known as the 2nd Brigade CGA on March 20, 1918). Webster was to see another transfer, this time to the 5th Canadian Siege Battery and was taken on strength on October 28th, joining his unit in the field on November 3rd. He was granted fourteen days leave to the United Kingdom on September 16, 1918, rejoining his unit on October 2nd. Upon ceasing of hostilities, he proceeded to Calais on March 30, 1919, then to England on April 1st. He was struck off strength of the Overseas Military Forces of Canada on April 3rd at Witley, having served nineteen months as a Gunner in the French theatre. Webster embarked Southampton, England on May 3, 1919 aboard the H.M.T. Mauretania, disembarking in Halifax, Nova Scotia on the 9th. He was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, Ontario on May 11th. Webster was credited with having served in Canada, England and France, earning a War Service Badge Class "A", number 288826. He died October 5, 1953, at the age of 65. He also had a brother who served during World War I, who met with fate and did not return to Canada, losing his life in the French theatre. He was Charles Webster (150682), who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on March 4, 1896. Charles Webster signed his Attestation Paper with the 79th Infantry Battalion "Manitoba Battalion" at Elgin, Manitoba on November 17, 1915, stating that he had no previous military service, the he was not married and that his trade was that of Farmer. He died on September 12, 1916, possilbly killed in action and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, twenty-seven kilometres south of Boulogne.