A First War Memorial Cross to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles

A First War Memorial Cross to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles - George V (124466 Pte P. HALE.). Naming is officially impressed. Dark patina, on a full-length neck chain, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, scuffed exterior, case better than fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records and Medical Records.   Footnote: Patrick Hale was born on February 20, 1882 in Belfast, Ireland, the son of Peter Hale and Mary Hale. He later immigrated to the United States and settled in Flint, Michigan with his wife Margaret. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 70th Infantry Battalion, on November 15, 1915 in Windsor, Ontario, at the age of 33, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Mrs. Margaret Hale of Flint, stating that he had twelve years' previous service in the Royal Navy, that he was married and that his trade was that of Labourer. The Battalion was raised in Southwestern Ontario with mobilization headquarters at London, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 103A, August 15, 1915. The Battalion sailed April 24, 1916 aboard the S.S. Lapland, with a strength of 35 officers and 936 other ranks under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R.I. Towers, arriving in England on May 5th. One month later, he was transferred to the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment) at Dibgate on June 6 ,1916, arriving in the field on the 9th. Hale was with the 5th Canadian Mounted Rifles only thirteen weeks when he was wounded in the field and died of his wounds while in transit aboard No. 11 Ambulance Train, on September 16, 1916 at 11:00 pm, at the age of 34. He is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas-de-Calais, France, Grave Reference: X. E. 2. and is commemorated on page 97 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.