Canada, CEF. A First War Group to Brothers Orville and Denton Palmer, 49th Infantry

The medals belonging to Denton Palmer: 
A 1914-15 Star, in bronze, reverse impressed 433063 PTE. D. S. PALMER. 49/ CAN: INF:, light wear, very fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, rim impressed 433063 PTE. D.S. PALMER. 49-CAN. INF., bright, minor wear, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, rim impressed 433063 PTE. D.S. PALMER. 49-CAN. INF., minor gilt wear, very fine. 

A ribbon bar with the above decorations, horizontal pin on the reverse, measures 100 cm, light wear and gentle fraying, very fine. 

A Dog Tag, reddish fibre, impressed 49 CANADA 433063, very fine. 

A For Services At The Front Badge, in brass and enamels, screwpost on reverse, numbered 30803, replacement screwplate, very fine. 

The medals belonging to Orville Palmer: 
A 1914-15 Star, in bronze, reverse impressed 433062 PTE. H.O. PALMER. 49/ CAN: INF:, light wear, very fine. 

A British War Medal, in silver, rim impressed 433062 PTE. H.O. PALMER. 49-CAN. INF., bright, minor wear, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, in bronze gilt, rim impressed 433062 PTE. H.O. PALMER. 49-CAN. INF., minor gilt wear, very fine. 

A ribbon bar with the above decorations, horizontal pin on the reverse, measures 100 cm, light wear and gentle fraying, very fine. 

A Dog Tag, red fibre, impressed CANADA H.O. PALMER METH 433062 49th, light wear to edges, very fine. 

A For Services At The Front Badge, in brass and enamels, screwpost on reverse, numbered 237336, replacement screwplate, very fine. 

Accompanied by a pocket sized new testament bible, in blue moleskin exterior, first page named “Orville Palmer 11548- 95th Street Edmonton 1915”, worn, remains near very fine. 

Two Christmas cards from the 49th Battalion, dated 1915 and 1918, remains very fine. 

Footnote: Hubert Orville Palmer was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on August 31, 1895. He was employed as a printer, with two years experience in the 180th Edmonton Cadet Corps, when he enlisted on March 11, 1915. Denton Samson Palmer, born in Godrich, Huron County, Ontario in January 1897, enlisted on the same day as his older brother, when he was a mere 18.

The brothers arrived in England in 1915, and embarked to France in October that same year. Orville suffered from Influenza in June 1916. Denton suffered a gunshot wound to the left shoulder in October 1916. He was admitted to St. John’s Ambulance Hospital on October 10th. After several months, he returned to Canada as an invalid on June 11, 1917. 

Denton died of influenza and pneumonia at Calgary General Hospital on December 15, 1918. At the time of his death, his brother was still serving overseas. Orville was discharged in March 1919. 

The 49th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)—also known as the Edmonton Regiment—was raised in Alberta in 1914 and served with distinction throughout the First World War. After arriving in France in October 1915, the battalion became part of the 7th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. The 49th saw action in nearly every major Canadian engagement on the Western Front, including St. Eloi Craters, Mount Sorrel, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, and the Hundred Days Offensive of 1918.

The battalion earned a strong reputation for discipline and determination under harsh conditions, suffering heavy casualties while gaining numerous decorations for bravery. By the end of the war, the 49th CEF had contributed significantly to Canada’s growing reputation as a formidable fighting force. After demobilization in 1919, its legacy continued through the Edmonton Regiment, later the Loyal Edmonton Regiment (3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry), which still proudly carries the 49th’s battle honours today.