The Awards Of Major Ingram Of The 18Th Canadian Infantry Cef

The Awards of Major Ingram of the 18th Canadian Infantry CEF - Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE); 1914-15 Star (MAJOR G.J. INGRAM. 18/CAN:INF:); British War Medal MAJOR. G.J. INGRAM.); Victory Medal (MAJOR G.J. INGRAM.); War Medal 1939-1945; and Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, George V (Major G.J. Ingram The W.O.R.). Naming is officially impressed on the First World War trio. The CAFOD is privately impressed, maker marked "V&S" (Vaughton & Sons), hallmarked with an anchor (made in Birmingham), the British lion and date marked "u" (1919). Court-mounted with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, four First and Second World War medals are lacquered, original faded ribbons on all six, extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of his First World War Index Cards, Attestation Papers, Service Records and Pay Records, his Second World War Index Cards, Canadian Active Service Force Officer's Declaration Paper, Service Records and Medical Records, along with his Award Documentation and government correspondence.   Footnote: Gordon John Ingram was born on June 12, 1883 in London, Ontario. He was educated at London Public School, from 1890 to 1897 and London Collegiate, from 1897 to 1901, where he achieved an Honour's Matriculation. He enlisted with the 7th Regiment (Fusiliers) as a Provisional 2nd Lieutenant, on October 3, 1901, later achieving the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant on August 16, 1908, Lieutenant on April 20, 1904 and Captain on September 9. 1911. He was appointed Brevet Major and signed his Attestation Paper with the 18th Infantry Battalion at on October 19, 1914, in London, Ontario, at the age of 31 (the magistrate signing the document at West Sandling, England on May 20, 1915), naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Elma Mae Ingram, stating that he had fourteen years' previous military service with the 7th (Regiment) Fusiliers, that he was married and that his trade was that of Merchant. The Battalion sailed for England on April 18, 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel E.S. Wigle, with a strength of 36 officers, including Ingram, and 1,081 other ranks, arriving on the 30th. He proceeded to France on September 7, 1915, disembarking in Le Havre, France on the 8th and was detailed on October 2, 1915 for special duty with the 2nd Canadian Division Headquarters in the field. Ingram arrived at the Canadian Base Depot in France from the Front for "Conducting Duty" on October 30, 1915, proceeding to join the unit for conducting drafts for the front on the next day. He later carried out duties of a Division Claims Officer in addition to his other duties, effective November 4, 1915. He was struck off strength of the 18th Infantry Battalion CEF upon being appointed to the command of a new overseas battalion on January 16, 1916, proceeding to Canada at public expense on January 28th, aboard the S.S. Sicilian, for the "purpose of taking up Duties with New Units". Ingram was detailed for temporary duty as Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General at Military District No. 1 in London, Ontario, from March 3 to September 13, 1916. He subsequently served with the 7th Battalion, Canadian Defence Force in the rank of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, effective March 26, 1917, in order to organize a Regimental Depot for the purpose of supplying drafts, for the 1st and 16th Infantry Battalions CEF, relinquishing command of that rank after one hundred and twenty-eight days, on July 31st. He continued to serve at Military District No. 1 Headquarters until he returned to 7th Fusiliers on September 14, 1917 and would remain with that unit until January 31, 1918. Ingram was appointed Brigade Major, 1st Infantry Brigade Staff on February 1, 1918, at Military District No. 1 in London, Ontario, then named Major of the Western Ontario Regiment, on April 15, 1920 and Seconded the same day. He would hold this post until early 1926, ceasing to be Seconded and vacating the appointment of Brigade Major on January 31, 1926. For his First World War service, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was later named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and it was during his time with the 1st Infantry Brigade Staff, that he was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration, on June 9, 1921. Upon his departure from the 1st Infantry Brigade Staff on January 31, 1926, Ingram joined the 2nd Reserve Battalion Canadian Fusiliers (MG) as a Major (2nd in Command), until December 15, 1936. Ingram was transferred to the Reserve of Officers on December 15, 1936, officially retiring on September 1, 1938 and promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on November 7, 1938. He was recalled from the Non-Permanent Active Militia for Second World War service and assigned to the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion Canadian Fusiliers (MG). He signed his Canadian Active Service Force Officers' Declaration Paper with the Canadian Fusiliers (MG), on July 1, 1940, naming his next-of-kin as his wife, Elma Mae Ingram, stating that he had previous military service as part of an Active Militia with the Canadian Fusiliers (MG) and reiterating his First World War service, that he was married and that his trade was that of Merchant. He was initially placed with the Administrative and Training Staff until he was struck off strength on September 16, 1940 and served with the 2nd (Reserve) Battalion Canadian Fusiliers (MG) in Canada until June 1, 1945. He was stationed at Thames Valley Camp, when he suffered an injury to his shoulder, on June 15, 1942. He had just finished attending a lecture at "G" Tent, Camp Headquarters on Fieldcraft at 1600 hours, when, in Ingram's own words, "the Officers were lined up and moved off at the double to the Training area. As the line passed, Major Weldon and I we fell in. We were going down a steep incline approaching the 18th fairway known as "B" area. I lost my balance and pitched forward on to my left shoulder. I immediately returned to my tent at Bn. Headquarters and was examined by Lieut. J.H. Geddes, assistant Bn. Medical Officer at approximately 1645 hours." For his Second World War service, he was awarded the War Medal 1939-1945. After the war, Ingram applied for the Efficiency Decoration with CANADA bar on January 23, 1946 but was denied, as he was not eligible for it, as he had previous been awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers' Decoration. He retired from the Canadian Army on September 12, 1948 at the age of 65, with the rank of Honourary Lieutenant-Colonel. Ingram lived another ten years, passing away on December 7, 1958, at the age of 75.