Canada, CEF. A South Africa and First War Medal Group to S. Sjt. Richards, Canadian Siberia Forces

A Queen’s South Africa Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 26331 L.-CORPL: J. RICHARDS. 53RF COY. IMP. YEO., on original ribbon with clasps CAPE COLONY, ORANGE FREE STATE, TRANSVAAL, SOUTH AFRICA 1901, SOUTH AFRICA 1902, lovely patina, minor wear, in extremely fine condition. 

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 2115863 S.SJT. J. M. RICHARDS. C.S.E.F.,  original ribbon, light contact, lovely patina, extremely fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 2115863 S.SJT. J. M. RICHARDS. C.S.E.F., original ribbon, light wear and loss of gilt, small edge knocks, very fine. 

A CASC Overseas Training Depot Cap Badge, in pickled brass, two lugs on the reverse, measures 35.4 mm (w) x 42.2 mm (h), light wear, extremely fine. 

Footnote: James Martin Richard was born in Dorset, England in June 1881. He served with the Imperial Yeomanry for two years during the Boer War, at the age of 28. He was discharged from the forces following a gunshot wound and enteric fever, which deemed him medically unfit for services. 

When Richards enlisted for the great war in November 1917, he was residing in Alberta, Canada, with his wife, Ethel. At the time, his trade was a wheeler. He served with the C.A.S.C, and left for Siberia via the Empress of Japan in February 1919. Richards was appointed acting staff sergeant and confirmed in the rank in March 1919.   He was taken on strength of the district depot XI in June 1919. He returned to Canada via the Empress of Russia and was later demobilized in September 1919. 

The Canadian Siberian Expeditionary Force was a military unit sent to Vladivostok, Russia, during the Russian revolution. It was composed of 4,192 soldiers and authorized in August 1918. The goal was to bolster allied presence in the country, oppose the Bolshevik Revolution and attempt to keep Russia in the war against Germany.