A First War Military Medal To Dispatch Runner At Passchendaele 1917

WWI Military Medal Group for Actions at Passchendaele - Military Medal (787661 Pte J.A. CHAMBERLAIN. 3/CAN:INF:); British War Medal (unnamed, replacement); and Victory Medal (787661 PTE. J.A. CHAMBERLAIN. 3-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed on MM and VM. Un-mounted, well executed clear coat on all three, VM regimental number partially obscured by bruise, very fine. Accompanied by copies of his Index Cards, Attestation Paper, Service Records, Medical Records, Discharge Certificate and Military Medal Citation.

Footnote: John Abraham Chamberlain was born of February 28, 1898 in Bissetts Creek, Ontario. He signed his Attestation Paper with the 130th Infantry Battalion, Lanark and Renfrew Battalion, on February 14, 1916, at Carleton Place, Ontario, two weeks shy of his eighteenth birthday, naming his next-of-kin as his father, Frank Chamberlain of Bissetts Creek, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was not married and that his trade was that of Labourer. While at Valcartier Camp, he was admitted to Hospital and diagnosed with "Pedicule" (louse infestation) on September 8th, recovered and was discharged the next day. The Battalion was raised in the Counties of Lanark and Renfrew with mobilization headquarters at Perth, Ontario under the authority of G.O. 151, December 22, 1915. The Battalion sailed September 27, 1916 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J.F. de Hertel with a strength of 25 officers and 573 other ranks, including Chamberlain. They arrived in England aboard the S.S. Lapland, on October 6, 1916 and upon arrival were absorbed into the 12th Reserve Battalion. Five weeks later, he was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Battalion on November 12th and entered the French theatre, joining his unit on the 14th. Private Chamberlain fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele in late October and November 1917, where he earned his Military Medal, cited in the London Gazette, 30573, March 13, 1918 for his Military Medal: "This man was employed as a company runner during the operation against the Passchendaele Ridge on November 6th, he acting with great gallantry and determination in carrying messages between VINE Cottages and Battalion Headquarters, continuously for 36 hours. The distance to be traversed between these two points was about 1000 yards over open country which was under a terrific artillery fire. On one occasion he started out with two other runners both of whom became casualties, but Pte Chamberlain with great courage delivered the message to its destination alone. His untiring energy and splendid heroism was a magnificent example and inspiration to everyone he came in touch with.", AFW 3121, November 12, 1917. On November 6, 1917, at the Battle of Passchendaele, the 3rd Battalion earned the following awards: one Victoria Cross, two Distinguished Conduct Medals, twenty-nine Military Medals and four bars to the Military Medal. The 3rd Battalion suffered thirty-five percent casualties. Nine months after his heroics at Passchendaele, he suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand on August 12, 1918 and was admitted to No. 12 General Hospital at Rouen. After being stabilized, he was invalided to England on August 16th and admitted to the 2/1st Southern General Hospital in Birmingham on the 17th. Ten days after his admission to hospital in Birmingham, he was transferred to the Military Convalescent Hospital at Epsom on August 27th for nine days, before being discharged on September 5th. He was subsequently placed at No. 1 Canadian Convalescent Depot before being posted to the Canadian Concentration Camp at Kinmel Park on December 8, 1918 for return to Canada. He left England on January 9, 1919 and was discharged upon demobilization at No. 3 District Depot in Ottawa, Ontario, on February 21, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France.