Canada, CEF. A First War Memorial Group to Pte. John Budgen, 14th Royal Montreal Regt, KIA at the Battle of Festubert, May 1915

 A 1914-15 Star, in bronze, full size, reverse impressed 25564 PTE. J. BUDGEN. 14/CAN:INF:, minor wear, extremely fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, full size, rim impressed 25564 PTE. J. BUDGEN. 14-CAN. INF., dark patina, light wear and contact marks to rim, very fine condition. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 25564 PTE. J. BUDGEN. 14-CAN. INF., light wear and scratches, very fine. 

A Royal Montreal Regiment Cap Badge, in pickled brass, reverse with two lugs on reverse with win, 27.5 mm (w) x 46 mm (h), light wear, very fine. 

A Memorial Plaque, in bronze, named to JOHN BUDGEN, measures 121 mm (d), light wear, very fine. Accompanied by original cardboard case, light wear. 

Footnote: John Budgen was born in Secunderbad, India in 1883.  He was employed as a waiter with active militia history, when he enlisted on September 21, 1914 at Valcartier. 

Budgen was killed in action on May 21, 1915. 

The 14th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (Royal Montreal Regiment) was part of the 3rd Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division in May 1915. At that time, the division was still heavily engaged in the aftermath of the Second Battle of Ypres (April–May 1915).

On 21 May 1915, the battalion was in the Ypres Salient, occupying and working on trenches near Laventie and Festubert as part of the British Army’s operations. The Canadians were sent in support of the Battle of Festubert (15–25 May 1915), a continuation of the fighting that followed Ypres. The 14th Battalion’s role on 21 May was mainly to hold trench positions, provide working parties, and support attacks made by British divisions. The day was marked by sniper fire, shelling, and poor trench conditions, though no major Canadian assault took place on that specific date.