Canada, CEF. A First War Trio to Sgt. Danniels, 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Three decorations sewn to a leather strap, comprising: 

A 1914-15 Star, in bronze, full size, reverse impressed 109292 PTE. L. L. DANNIELS. 4/CAN: MTD: RIF:, very fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, rim impressed 109292  SJT. L.L. DANNIELS. 4-C.M.R., lovely patina, light wear, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, rim impressed 109292  SJT. L.L. DANNIELS. 4-C.M.R., minor wear, extremely fine. 

A First War 4th Mounted Rifle Battalion Cap Badge - Brass, marked TIPTAFT B’HAM, measures 41.7 mm x 46.5 mm, intact lugs and pin, residue in the recessed areas from cleaning, very fine.

Footnote: Leonard Louis Danniels was born in Aldershot, England in 1896. He was a painter residing in Toronto when he enlisted in November 1914. 

Danniels arrived in France in October 1915. He suffered from influenza in March 1916 , and was hospitalized, returning to duty in early April. In July, 1916 he was to be acting corporal. He was confirmed in this rank on August 8th. Both before and following this promotion he suffered from bronchitis. 

In February 1917, he was “mentioned in despatches for Distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty”.  In July 1918, Danniels returned to England to attend the musketry course, in Hythe, rejoining the unit on September 14th. He was demobilized in 1919, returning to Canada. 

The 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles (4th CMR) served as front-line infantry throughout the First World War after being converted from a mounted unit on arrival in France. Landing on the Western Front in 1915, the regiment fought dismounted as part of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and was first heavily engaged during the Second Battle of Ypres, where it endured severe casualties in the German gas attacks while helping to hold the Canadian line. In 1916 the 4th CMR took part in the Battle of Mount Sorrel, suffering further losses in bitter fighting to regain lost ground, and later that year fought at the Battle of the Somme. In 1917 the regiment was involved in major Canadian operations including Vimy Ridge, where it supported the successful assault, and the costly fighting at Hill 70 and Passchendaele. During the Allied offensives of 1918, the 4th CMR played a role in Canada’s Hundred Days, advancing through Amiens, the Drocourt–Quéant Line, and the Canal du Nord, and continuing the pursuit of German forces until the Armistice. By the end of the war the regiment had established a strong combat reputation, having fought continuously in many of the Canadian Corps’ most important battles.