Canada, CEF. A First War Group to A/Cpl Brown, 3rd Canadian Pioneers (48th Canadians)

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 430032 A.CPL. J. G. BROWN. CAN. PNR. BN., original ribbon, light contact, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 430032 A.CPL. J. G. BROWN. CAN. PNR. BN., original ribbon, light wear and loss of gilt to edges, very fine.

A 48th Infantry Battalion Cap Badge, pickled brass, two intact lugs on reverse, unmarked, measures 36.0 mm (w) x 37.3 mm (h), in extremely fine condition. 

An On War Service 1914 Munitions Worker Badge, a copper alloy badge with blue enamel, reverse marked FIRMIN & SONS LONDON, measures 25.6 mm (d), partial button backing, enamel damage to top half, minor gilt wear, in near very fine condition. 

A For Services at the Front Lapel Badge, in bronze with enamels, reverse features a central screwpost with and screwback, reverse impressed 396596, measures 22.2 mm (d), light wear, enamels intact, dark patina, very fine.

Accompanied by the lid of the original cardboard medalbox named to A.CPL. J.G. BROWN. Can. Pnr. Bn., flattened, marked with pen, fine. 

Footnote: James Gilmour Brown was born in Grennock, Scotland in April 1880. He enlisted for the war in March 1915 in Victoria, British Columbia, and began serving with the 48th battalion. Prior to the war he was a brass moulder. He arrived in England in July 1915, and embarked for France on March 9, 1916.

In January 1916, he was in the Moore Barracks Hospital for fistula in ano, and was discharged in February 1916. In May 1916, he was admitted to the Kitchener hospital for a gunshot wound to the right arm, being discharged the following August. As of June 19, 1917, the medical board report states: “This man was 3 months in France, got a bullet through right arm just above elbow. Perfectly healed but arm weak yet. Left lag lame from sprain coming out of trenches by slipping on a rolling stone. Left foot quite flat.” 

Brown married Agnes McLean Hill on September 25, 1918, in Greenock, Scotland. He returned to Canada in 1919.