Canada. A First War Pair, To Private William Henry Harding, Kootenay Battalion, 54Th Infantry Battalion

British War Medal (3110668 PTE. W.H. HARDING. 54-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (3110668 PTE. W.H. HARDING. 54-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, dark patina on the BWM, gilt wear on the VM, contact marks on both, original ribbons, very fine.

Footnote: William Henry Harding was born on September 14, 1888 in Toronto, Ontario. He was a resident of Toronto when he was conscripted, signing his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper as a Private (3110668), Military Service Act (numbered 825134), with the 1st Depot Battalion, 2nd Central Ontario Regiment, on June 26, 1918 in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, at the age of 29, naming his next-of-kin as his mother, Annie Harding of Toronto, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single, that his religion was Church of England and that his trade was that of Hotel Man. Two weeks later, he was transferred to the overseas draft on July 12th. The following day, he embarked Montreal, Quebec on July 13th, arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on July 18th. This was followed two weeks later by his leaving for Europe, embarking Halifax on August 3rd and arriving in Liverpool, England on the 16th, where he was taken on strength of the 8th Reserve Battalion at Witley upon arrival. After two and a half months training and orientation in England, Private Harding proceeded overseas for service in the French theatre with the 54th Infantry Battalion "Kootenay Battalion" on November 4, 1918, arriving in France on the 6th. He was at the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp on the 8th, then joined his new unit in the field on the 10th. Upon the ceasing of hostilities, having spent five and a half months in France, he proceeded to England on April 28, 1919, where he was posted to "A" Wing at the Canadian Corps Camp at Witley. He returned to Canada aboard HMTS Mauretania on May 31st. Private William Henry Harding, 1st Depot Battalion, 54th Infantry Battalion was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Hamilton, Ontario, on June 8, 1919, credited with having served in Canada, England and France, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 141772. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.