Canada, CEF. A First War Pair to Pte. D. Kennedy, 54th Infantry Battalion, Wounded at Vimy

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 703365 PTE. D. KENNEDY. 54-CAN. INF., original ribbon, very dark patina, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 703365 PTE. D. KENNEDY. 54-CAN. INF, original ribbon, light wear, very fine. 

Footnote: David Kennedy was born in Ayrshire, Scotland in 1878. Prior to enlisting in the war, he was residing in Vancouver and working as a farmer. He joined the 102nd battalion on January 20, 1916, at the age of 38. 

Kennedy served with the 54th battalion on the front lines at Vimy, where he was wounded April 9, 1917 by a gunshot wound to the right arm and shrapnel to the chest. He was taken to the 8th field ambulance on April 9th, and there inoculated. On the 10th, he was moved to the 8th stationary Boulogne, and received a second inoculation. On the 12th, he was transferred to the Ontario Military Hospital in Orpington, where the shrapnel ball was removed from the right side of his chest. His arm continued to heal, however, there was a great loss of function, ultimately resulting in paralysis. He was therefore deemed physically unfit for duty, and discharged back to Canada in September 1917 via the H.S Araguaya.