Canada, Csef. A British War Medal To Pte. Mcculloch, Siberian Expeditionary Force, C.1918

Instituted 1919. Composed of silver, obverse presents the left facing profile of King George V, surrounded in the inscription GEORGIVS V BRITT. OMN: REX ET IND: IMP., reverse features a man holding a sword while riding a horse stepping on bones, surrounded by the inscription 1914 1918 at 11 and 3 o’clock, the rim is impressed 340652 PTE. A.L. MC CULLOCH. C.S.E.F., the medal is suspended from a bar suspension, measures 36.35mm (w) x 49.61mm (h- inclusive of bar suspension), weighs 34.1 grams, worn on an original ribbon, very dark patina, little to no surface wear, very fine condition.

Footnote: Born on December 9, 1898 in Galt, Ontario. He was a nineteen-year-old student when he enlisted for the War in Toronto on May 20, 1918. McCulloch served as a Gunner with the Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force, a Canadian force sent to Vladivostok, Russia with the goal of opposing the Bolshevik Revolution and encourage Russia to continue their fight against Germany. McCulloch originally with the 69^th Battalion before being transferred to the 85^th in November 1918. He embarked from Canada on the HMT Teesta on December 22, 1918.

Approximately 5,000 Canadian soldiers served with the CSEF between August 1918 and June 1919. They saw very little fighting during this time, most of their role included routine drills and policing duties. McCulloch returned to Canada via the SS Monteagle on May 5, 1919 and was discharged due to demobilization on May 16, 1919.