A First War Pair & Documents To The 3Rd Canadian Infantry Battalion

British War Medal (3033227 PTE. G.W. CRUISEY. 3-CAN.INF.); and Victory Medal (3033227 PTE. G.W. CRUISEY. 3-CAN.INF.). Naming is officially impressed, his surname spelled incorrectly with a "Y" that has been added at the end (Cruisey). Un-mounted, replacement ribbons, very dark patina on the BWM, very light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by their 10.5 mm x 73 mm Ribbon Bar; miniatures of same (British War Medal: silver, 17.8 mm; and Victory Medal: bronze, 17.7 mm; un-mounted, original ribbons); his Canadian Pay Book for use on Active Service (entries from April 1918 to March 1919, 22 pages plus cover, insert pasted in place on the inside front cover, 95 mm x 142 mm); his Canadian Expeditionary Force Pay Book (summary entries dated April 1919, 28 pages plus cover, 108 mm x 140 mm); his Soldier Settlement Board of Canada "Attestation Under the Soldier Settlement Act, 1917" (numbered "7425", dated July 5, 1919 at Ottawa, Ontario, signature of the Board's Chairman in black ink, printed in black ink on a white paper stock, 151 mm x 200 mm, fold mark); three Photographs (black and white: first photo illustrating twenty-eight soldiers with an "X" marked over Private Cruise's head, reverse with postcard style backer and inscribed "X George Cruise", 86 mm x 140 mm; second photo illustrating a standing Private Cruise in a relaxed pose, reverse inscribed "George Cruise 12", 58 mm x 82 mm; third photo illustrating four soldiers seated upon a cannon, reverse inscribed "Friends of G. Cruise", 51 mm x 60 mm); and a 3rd Infantry Battalion Cap Badge (bronze, maker marked "J.R. GAUNT LONDON" on the reverse, 43.3 mm x 51.5 mm, intact lugs and pin).

Footnote: George William Cruise was born on August 16, 1894 in Langton, Ontario. He was a resident of Connaught Station, Ontario when he signed his Particulars of Recruit Drafted Under Military Service Act 1917 Paper (number 847413) as a Private (3033227) with the 1st Depot Battalion, 1st Central Ontario Regiment, "B" Company, at No. 2 Military District, in Toronto, Ontario, on January 21, 1918, at the age of 23, naming his next-of-kin as his sister, Mrs. Mary Hearn of Galt, Ontario, stating that he had no previous military service, that he was Single, that his religion was Presbyterian and that his trade was that of Farming. During his pre-enlistment Medical Examination conducted at Haileybury, Ontario on November 20, 1917, it was noted that he had had a fracture to his right hip years earlier, causing some shortening of the leg, but no evidence of eversion to his foot and that this was causing him no disability, however, he did have ingrown nails on his big toes. He was nonetheless accepted for military service. Private Cruise embarked Halifax, Nova Scotia on May 16, 1918, aboard the S.S. Valacia, arriving in Liverpool, England on May 27thand was taken on strength by the 12th Reserve Battalion at the 1st Central Ontario Regimental Depot the same day. After three months training in England, he was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Battalion for service in the French theatre, on August 28, 1918, arriving at the Canadian Base Depot in France on the 29th. Four days after arriving in France, he left the Canadian Base Depot for the Canadian Corps Reinforcement Camp on September 2nd, joining them the same day. He joined his new unit, the 3rd Infantry Battalion on September 6th and was placed with 'C' Company, 10 Platoon. Five months after his transfer to the 3rd Infantry Battalion and with hostilities having ceased, he suffered a slight attack of Influenza in February 1919 while in France but made a full recovery. However, he contracted a case of "piles" the same month. Private Cruise returned to England on March 22, 1919 and was posted to Bramshott, where he was to sign his War Service Gratuity declaration on March 25th, stating that he had served one year and 70 days service with the 1st Central Ontario Regimental Depot and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, and changed his forwarding address to Galt, Ontario. In his Medical History of an Invalid, dated March 26, 1919 at Bramshott, it was noted that he had contracted Measles in his childhood. The doctor recounted the story as to how Cruise had fractured his right hip: while living in Langton in 1908, around the age of 14, Cruise had fallen on the ice while playing hockey after being body checked. He received a surgical procedure, which entailed having his leg put up in splints, with an extension method used. However, his right leg ended up being one half inch shorter than his good left leg. The doctor noted that Cruise "states (his) leg (gets) tired some when doing route marches (but he is) always able to carry on", concluding that the disability would be permanent. He was re-examined for the "piles" he contracted the previous February, but no disability was determined at the time of his examination and he was not operated upon. He was subsequently declared Category "A" (Fit for General Service). He was struck off strength to Canada on April 14, 1919, embarking Southampton, England aboard the S.S. Olympic. Private George William Cruise was discharged upon demobilization at No. 2 District Depot in Toronto, on April 24, 1919, entitled to wear the War Service Badge, Class "A", number 280374 and credited with having served in Canada, England and France. For his First World War service, he was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. That summer, he filed an application with the Soldier Settlement Board of Canada for a farm loan. In his Soldier Settlement Board of Canada "Attestation Under the Soldier Settlement Act, 1917", numbered "7425", dated July 5, 1919 at Ottawa, Ontario, it stated that "The undersigned attests that Geo Wm Cruise formerly No 3033224 in 1st Depot Bn C.O.R. has furnished evidence satisfactorily establishing a claim as a "settler" under the Soldier Settlement Act, 1917, subject, in the event of a loan being applied for, to ability to farm and repay the loan being established to the satisfaction of the Board, and subject to all other provisions of the said Act or regulations thereunder or amendments thereto, and that the said claim is hereby approved.", the document signed by the Board's Chairman.