A First Day Vimy 1St Battalion Casualty Group

A First Day Vimy 1st Battalion Casualty Group -  British War Medal (644698 PTE. L.L. WEBSTER. 1-CAN.INF.); Victory Medal (644698 PTE. L.L. WEBSTER. 1-CAN.INF.); and Memorial Cross, GRV (644698 Pte L.L. WEBSTER). Naming is officially impressed on the medals and officially engraved on the MC. Un-mounted, dark patinas on the silver medals, light contact, very fine. Accompanied by a Great War in Memoriam Cross (sterling silver, marked "STERLING", hallmarked with the British lion, an anchor (made in Birmingham) and date marked "s" (1917) on the reverse, obverse engraved in script with his initials "LLW", reverse engraved "IN MEMORY OF LEONARD L. WEBSTER WHO FELL ON FIELD OF HONOR", 32.7 mm, original tri-colour ribbon, hanger inscribed "1914 GREAT WAR 1918" with pinback) and copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Pay Records, Will and assorted research papers.Footnote: Leonard Lawrence Webster was born on March 16, 1893 in Penetanguishene (AKA Penetang), Ontario, the son of Joesph Webster and Jane Webster and attended Burkevale School in his youth. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 157th Infantry Battalion "Simcoe Foresters" on February 10, 1916 in Penetang, at the age of 22, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Labourer. The Battalion was raised in Simcoe County, Ontario with mobilization headquarters at Barrie, Ontario, under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed October 18, 1916, aboard the S.S. Cameronia, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel D.H. MacLaren with a strength of 32 officers and 967 other ranks, arriving in England on October 28th. One month later, he was transferred to the 1st Infantry Battalion at Bramshott onNovember 28th, taken on strength in France the next day. He left for his unit in the field on December 1st, joining them on the 2nd. In the new year, he spent three weeks attached to a Brigade Wiring Party (January 17 to February 6, 1917). Webster was with the 1st Battalion (Western Ontario Regiment), as part of the Canadian Corps, preparing for their combined assault on Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917. He was wounded in action, suffering gun shot wounds to his head and face and admitted to No. 7 General Hospital at Etaples, listed as "Seriously Ill". Due to the severity of his injuries, Webster was soon transferred to No. 1 Canadian General Hospital at Rouen on April 11th, dying from his wounds the following day, on April 12, 1917, at the age of 24. He is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave Reference: XXII.G.15. His Will, dated September 29, 1916, left all his real and personal estate to his mother, Jane. She also received his British War Medal, Victory Medal and Memorial Cross. His father, Joseph, received his Memorial Plaque and Scroll, which are not included here. Webster's name is recorded on page 346 of the Book of Remembrance.